Reading Comp. No. 4, question 2

In general, I have found in tracing common design ancestries across the Atlantic Ocean that in all cases there is a simplification in design. Wood is used for construction because of an abundance of trees in the new world. Buildings are smaller in scale, less formal; less refined, and have more of a horizontal emphasis. Architects a re building for common wealth and middle class families as opposed to royalty. Other influences besides European begin to show up in designs. A structural emphasis also produces designs that are more practical.

In Boston, furniture retains some curvilinear shapes in detail but is rid of decorative inlay, and exorbitant expense in regards to materials. In architecture English roots can still be traced in the way the 2^nd story of the Parson Capen house has a slight over hang above the street to protect you from the waste being cast to the street. English roots can also be seen in the use of rugs. Ornate rugs are still present in America, but used with more modesty as seen in Hart house. There is a single rug on the floor and the furniture is solid wood, no upholstery.

In St. Augustine, furniture retains Moorish influences on decorative patterns, although less dense and much more simplified. Architecture retains the contrast created by the white washed walls and dark wood used in interiors. Emphasis is still placed on doorways through tile surrounds and ironwork gates. Geometric patterns and ironwork are Spanish trademarks that are still present in America. We can also se an integration of local cultures as Native American influences begin to blend with Floridian architecture.

In New Orleans, furniture retains a rectilinear form, is made of solid wood, storage pieces are compartmentalized and often have double doors, and a cornice. Interiors are still mad up of compartmentalized spaces, but don’t emphasize placement of these series of rooms along a linear axis. In architecture repetition of horizontal divisions is present, along with French steeply pitched roofs.

In New York, a great emphasis placed on horizontal banding and verticality , typical of German architecture, are present, along with steeply pitched roofs, and symmetry across facades. These German elements of design can be seen in the Single Brothers house, and in German/Dutch inspired furniture such as the shrank.

Because there were no classical ruins laying around for people to learn good design from, it was important for the new country to imitate the architecture of Europe. In order “To reinforce the nature of republication government,” (Roth, pg.459).

Harwood pgs.251-321