Virginia Craig
Mr. Bomboy
Wednesday Night Class
February 19, 2014
Franklin
County Courthouse
The Franklin County Courthouse is located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
and is used to conduct trials and other legal business. In this paper I
will be explaining what classical order I have chosen for this building
and why. I will also be discussing what the building is trying to convey and
what effect the classical order has on my perception of the building. Also
I will be discussing how the style reflects or enhances the building's use
and why this order is appropriate for this building’s use. This building
is not unique but valuable for several reasons.
For the Franklin County Courthouse I
chose the Ionic Greek Order. In the 'Humanistic Tradition: Book 1' it is stated that the Ionic order originated in Asia Minor ad the Aegean Islands (Fiero, 124). The
columns of the Ionic order are very similar to the Doric and Corinthian Greek
order. On the Ionic order they build the column or shaft a little smaller for
the building of smaller buildings. One of the reasons why I have chosen the
Ionic order is because of its capital which I have provided an image for you
below. The Franklin County Courthouse columns are visible to all visitors to
downtown Chambersburg.
Howe,
Jeffery. A Digital Archive of
Architecture: Ionic Greek Order.
I believe
the Ionic Greek order of the Franklin County Courthouse conveys a bold unity. The
design of the building reflects the power within the building. It demonstrates the
Court has power to make judgments and decisions of whether or not someone gets
a punishment. The Ionic order has a strong power for the courthouse. It makes
the courthouse look and feel undefeated and sturdy. However the Courthouse
itself was a target of Southern Rebels as they burned the town of Chambersburg
in 1830’s.
The Ionic
style enhances the buildings use because it helps with its structure and
stability. This order is appropriate because it helps with the buildings
stability. The stability of a building is very important because you want the
building to stand for a long time not for a short period. The Ionic order also
gives the courthouse a distinct look from any other building in downtown
Chambersburg. I have also learned that Palladio has had some sort of influence on the design of this building. "Although influenced by a number of Resnaissance thinkers and architects, Palladio's ideas resulted independently of most contemporary ideas. Creatively linked to the artistic traditions of Alberti and Bramante, Palladio used principles that related to art and form that related to nature to generate his architecture" (Sharp).
The
Franklin County Courthouse will likely stand for many more decades as a symbol
of strength, justice, and architecture. I have demonstrated above the reasons
why I chose the Ionic Greek Order. Also stated above how the Ionic style
reflects and enhance the Courthouse and why it was appropriate for this
particular building. As well as the fact that the Ionic order helps with the
stability of the Franklin County Court House.
Work Cited
Fiero,
Gloria. The Humanistic Tradition. The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.:
Chris Freita, 1992. Book.
Howe,
Jeffery. A Digital Archive of
Architecture: Ionic Greek Order. 1997.
Boston College.
Sharp,
Dennis. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of
Architects and Architecture. New York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. P118-119.
Waterproofing, Inc., Keystone. Franklin County Courthouse. 2009-2014.
Photograph.
Chambersburg, PA.
