Origin and Main Characteristics of the Palladian Architectural Style - Assignment Example

The main characteristics of the Palladian style are “temple-front porticoes,” “rusticate masonry,” “balanced proportions,” “tripartite Venetian windows,” and “vaulted ceilings” (Miller, 1998, p.16). In addition, Palladian-style has become associated with Georgian architecture because of the former’s strong influence on the latter’s preference for harmony and simplicity in design (Richardson, 2008, p.99). Inigo Jones began Palladianism in Great Britain through the Banqueting House in Whitehall that he designed in 1619 (Gorst, 1995, p.4). See Figure 1 for the design of the Banqueting House.

Its Palladian characteristics include drafted stones on superimposed orders, pediments on centers of some windows, and Palladio form through harmony that is based on the double cube structure. Since Jones, houses and other buildings in London, Edinburgh, and Bath followed Palladianism (Gorst, 1995, p.4). These houses feature the emphasis on balance in form, use of geometric designs and structures, and simplicity in exterior designs (Gorst, 1995, p.4).Richard Boyle, also called Lord Burlington, was one of the main proponents of the Palladian style because he believed in the superiority of “academic classicism” that it promotes (Richardson, 2008, p.98). Lord Burlington, as patron of the arts, supported the works of “William Kent, Colin Campbell, and Leoni,” all of whom had a deep respect for Palladianism (Richardson, 2008, p.99). Campbell’s old Burlington House showed the influences of Palladianism, as well as of Holkham’s and Houghton’s styles (Richardson, 2008, p.99). See the facade of the Burlington House in Figure 2.

It shows the Palladian style through its porticoes and distinctive Venetian windows.