SPRING SEMESTER 2022 – CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK
“Principles of Classical Architecture” is a workshop series taught by Prof. Brandon Ro. The series was taught as part of a graduate design studio at the City College of New York led by Prof. Jeff Roberson.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The “Principles of Classical Architecture” workshop series seeks to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles and language of classical architecture. It provides an overview of the design principles that inform classical architecture which are found in the order, proportion, archetypal geometry, and patterns in nature. The workshops are aimed at helping students gain analytical drawing skills. This knowledge creates a solid foundation for analyzing and understanding classical architecture’s vocabulary and syntax.
COURSE DOCUMENTS
Click on the links below to download specific workshop documents.
- Syllabus / Materials / Schedule
- Course YouTube Channel (lectures, tutorials, Etc.)
- Examples of Past Student Work
- Workshop 1 – Archetypal Geometry and Proportions
- Exercise 2 – Classical Architecture Literacy
- Exercise 2 – Classical Order Drawing Instructions
- Exercise 2 – 11×17 Template
- Doric Order Plates (PDF)
- Exercise 3 – Composition in Classical Architecture
- Exercise 3 – Analysis of U.S. White House Drawing
- Lecture – Composition & Proportions
- Exercise 3 – 11×17 Template
READING
- Gabriel, Jean-François. Classical Architecture for the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction to Design. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004.
- Martineau, John, ed. Quadrivium: The Four Classical Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music, & Cosmology. New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2010.
- PDF of Chapter 1: Martineau_Quadrivium
- Schneider, Michael S. A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art, and Science. New York: HarperCollins, 1994.*
- Ware, William R. The American Vignola: A Guide to the Making of Classical Architecture. New York: Dover, 1994. Older edition PDFs available online:
Tetrad Architecture & Planning 