Architecture and Breaking the British Mold

Reading Ch. 8 of  Pierson's "American Buildings and their Architects" about Thomas Jefferson's architectual persuits brought to mind the earlier article on "The Empire of Tea."   The reading discussed Thomas Jefferson's abilities of design, and how his architectual works, namely Monticello and the University of Virginia, were reflections not only of his readings on architecture, but of his political opinions and personal character.  The reading described that Jefferson's "architectual judgment was clearly tinged by his political opinions"(292).  In fact, he describes British architecture as being overly ornate and poorly oramented.  This concept reminded me of the descriptions of colonial furniture and tea-making supplies in "The Empire of Tea."  While tea was a pastime derived from ties to the British, early Americans wished to make drinking tea their own, and much of American teaware and furniture became more simple.  I found it interesting that Thomas Jefferson was of this same school of thought, and keeping with his status as one of the Founding Fathers, sought to truly define America, American architecture, and American Education as something unique and different from the British, while still rooted in classical principles.  I can see his ideas echoed even at St. Olaf.  While the majority of the architecture on campus is not of the same style as the University of Virginia, save perhaps the Steensland building, St. Olaf has kept a fairly simple concept in mind for most academic buildings, creating a simplicity and cohesiveness between buildings that I believe Jefferson could approve of.