The Palladian Style in Country Architecture
English or Italian? The choice of style for the design of a country house is one of the most important decisions, so we are continuing our account of the recognizable features of "English" architecture — and today we will talk about the legacy of the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio.
His key ideas — symmetry, perspective, and fidelity to the principles of classical architecture — shaped the look not only of English Palladian houses but gained recognition around the world. English Palladianism took shape in the first half of the 18th century, yet its principles sound surprisingly contemporary, and in the minds of today's architects they are firmly associated with the national, distinctly English architectural style.
What makes the Palladian style appealing today?
First of all, the harmony of its proportions, the clarity of its forms, and the simplicity and nobility of its lines. The relationship between the parts and the whole is subordinated to the idea of unity between the buildings and the surrounding space, where each element flows naturally from the next. This leads to restraint in decoration and to careful attention to the features of the landscape. The famous Villa Rotonda is identical on all four sides, so that it looks great from any vantage point, as it stands on an open hill.
The hallmark of the Palladian style is the colonnaded porticoes, the three-part windows (with a high arched opening in the center and two rectangular ones on the sides), and the cruciform plan (which has its roots in the architecture of ancient Roman temples). Loggias were often planned instead of porticoes, frequently with closed gables — they give the facade a special resonance. The advantage of the Palladian style is that it works equally well for majestic buildings and for small country estates.
The typical Palladian villa is often three stories tall, with a high main house (traditionally crowned by a dome) and wings to its sides; at its base is a rusticated basement or ground floor housing the service rooms. The portico's external staircase opens onto the main floor, where the bedrooms and living quarters are located. The proportions of the rooms are set by simple mathematical ratios such as 3:4 and 4:5.
"Like the human body, which has parts that are noble and beautiful and others that are less so but no less necessary — for without them the former could not exist — a house should have parts that are worthy and honorable and others not so elegant, without which, however, the former would lose some of their dignity and beauty. The blessed Creator arranged our members so that the most beautiful are the most visible and the less beautiful are hidden. Likewise, in a building we must make the principal and important rooms open to view and conceal the less beautiful ones as far away as possible.
Therefore, in the lower part of the house I place the cellars, storerooms, kitchen, washrooms, and ovens. This brings two advantages: first, the main rooms are kept free of services, and second, they stand at a sufficient height above the ground; moreover, they are open to view and command a beautiful prospect. The smaller rooms are divided into studies and libraries, where cabinets are set to hide personal belongings and clutter, and into bedrooms, dining rooms, and guest rooms, which should be kept free of unnecessary things."
Andrea Palladio
"The Four Books of Architecture."
Features of the Palladian style
- austere forms (the simplest geometric shapes are used — the square, the circle, the triangle, based on Vitruvius's "golden ratio")
- a symmetrical facade and, in general, symmetry among the parts of the building
- smooth walls in light colors: brick or stone
- porticoes or loggias at the center of the facade, decorated with columns
- covered colonnades on both sides of the main house
- Palladian windows
- straight-lined roofs
- if there is an attic floor, attic windows can be set in the high walls beneath the roof
- harmony with the surrounding landscape
Workshop
How to apply Palladianism to your cottage
- Do not use contrasting white decorative frames. It is better to keep them in the color of the wall. At most they can be darker, but always in the same tone as the wall. In its later English reading, Palladianism allows a freer relationship with color.
- There should not be a lot of decoration. It is better for it to be of high quality and to have a historic rather than a newfangled look.
- Use noble sandy tones, ideally stucco, travertine, or marble.
- The look of a Palladian window can be achieved with additional false windows.
- Make a grander entrance; build a portico.
- Choose a roof in the color of deep red clay. Natural shingles are ideal.
- Plant southern shrubs and use clay urns.
- Request a facade design from us.
Special windows
Famous houses
Palladianism in our time
