Uni-Horn: Für Elise - Revelations and Palladian Cyldinders

For some time I've been struggling to decide what period of architecture I want to base my folly around. I felt quite overwhelmed by the choice and couldn't connect with any of the architecture around me. I felt that medieval was being overdone by a lot of people, Georgian was 'too clean' and modern didn't offer enough complexity. I began researching follies on Pinterest and found that I was seeing a lot of similar buildings make their way to my board. Most of them were round with dome roofs and intricate pillars similar to that of the Georgian architecture nearby. I hadn't realised but I'd fallen in love with Palladian architecture.

Follow Myfanwy's board 'Folly' on Pinterest.

Although I am more drawn to the cylindrical shapes, I would like to implement a nice strong doorway and some additional bits to my folly. Many of the above are temples and I want to create something strong and powerful looking. My favorite is the bottom right which is called 'The Temple of Apollo' and was apparently featured on the Pride and Prejudice. I want my temple / folly to look like it worships Apollo's colossus counterpart.

Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from and inspired by the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580). Andrea Palladio was inspired by the buildings of Ancient Rome. Palladian architecture was fashionable during 1715-1760 and British designers drew upon Palladio's work to create a classic British style. Palladian architecture was popular for a brief time in Britain but was short lived due to the Civil War and opposition of austerity. The exterior tended to be quite plain and were based around rules of proportion whilst the interiors were much more detailed and elaborate.

Palladio's drawings

Characteristics of Palladian Architecture

Columns

acanthus leaves

Columns with acanthus leaf capitals at the top (called 'Corinthian') are characteristic of Palladian design.

Scallop shells

Scallop shells are a typical motif in Greek and Roman art. The shell is a symbol of the Roman goddess Venus, who was born of the sea, from a shell.

Pediments

Pediments were used over doors and windows on the outside of buildings. They are also found over inside doors. The design of objects in the Palladian style often incorporates this sort of architectural element.

Symmetry

Palladian design tends to be highly symmetrical. This means that when a line is drawn down the middle, each side is a mirror image of the other. Symmetry and balance were important in the ancient Greek and Roman architecture that inspired Palladianism.

Masks

Masks are faces used as a decorative motif. They are based on examples from ancient Greek and Roman art.

Terms

Terms are based on free-standing stones representing the Roman god, Terminus. They consist of a head and upper torso, often just the shoulders, on top of a pillar and were originally used as boundary markers.

Corinthian Collums

Corinthian collums are thought to be the most elaborate of the classical collumns. Their capitals which are the fancy bits at the top, are extremely complex and intricate. They feature leaves, volutes (helix) and oversized fleuron (flower).

3D goals

Notable People

Villa Rotonda

Andrea Palladio (1508 - 1580)

Palladio was the Italian Renaissance architect whose designs were the main influence on British Palladianism. His Classical style was based on ancient Roman architecture, which he studied both through books of theory and the surviving buildings. His Four Books of Architecture, first published in 1570, contain illustrations and descriptions of his own architecture, together with Roman buildings that he admired. They were the key means by which his influence spread.

William Kent (1685 - 1748)

William Kent trained as a painter, but his true talents lay in other directions. While studying in Italy he met Lord Burlington and on his return to Britain in 1720 became Burlington's assistant and protégé. He worked initially as an interior decorator, in which capacity he designed much of the furniture and interiors for Burlington's villa, Chiswick House. He subsequently worked on many large country houses first on interior decoration and then on architecture and garden design.

Lord Burlington (1694 - 1753)

Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington was an architect and enthusiastic promoter of Palladianism and was influential in establishing it as a new national style. He studied the buildings of Andrea Palladio at first hand in Italy, and had a collection of designs by both Palladio and Inigo Jones. He designed Chiswick House as an addition to his country estate. It was based on a villa designed by Palladio.