Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

34  INTRODUCING BOST ON

Boston’s Architecture

Buildings followed British styles through the 1790s, when the
first American architect of note, Charles Bulfinch, defined the
Federal style. In the 19th century, Bostonians evolved a local
Victorian style, which first embraced Greek Classicism, then
French and Italian styles. Two styles of the late 19th century,
Renaissance Revival and Richardsonian Romanesque,
remained influential through World War I. In the 20th century,
Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) attracted many leading modern and post-modern
architects, all of whom left their mark.

Renaissance Revival interior of the Boston
Boston Granite
Public Library
The granite outcrops found
around Boston Harbor Renaissance Revival
provided stone for the city’s
waterfront development in Charles McKim’s 1887 design
the early 19th century. Techno­ for the Boston Public Library
logical advances had made it (see p98), conceived as a
possible to cut entire columns “palace of the people,”
Freestanding Federal-style Harrison from single blocks of granite. established Renaissance
Gray Otis House Freed from the constraints of Revival architecture as a
soft limestone or sandstone, favorite American style for
Alexander Parris and other monumental public structures.
Federal
architects adopted granite as Evenly spaced windows
Charles Bulfinch and his a principal material for and arches, adorned
protégé Asher Benjamin markets and ware­ by inscriptions
adapted British Georgian houses, as can be and sculptural
styles to create Boston’s first seen for example details, define
signature architectural style. at Charlestown the style. Soaring,
Typical of this style are Navy Yard (see barrel vaulted
freestanding mansions and p117) and Quincy interiors are also
town houses, with symmet rical Market (see p66). featured. Boston’s
brick façades adorned by Although the Granite Greek Revival façade Renaissance
shuttered windows, and basic style is an of Quincy Market Revival structures
ground­floor windows set adaptation of make extensive
in recessed arches. Entrances Greek Revival, it also includes use of New England and
are often cut from granite modern innovations such Italian marbles, carved stucco
slabs, featuring gently fluted as iron tension rods and ceilings, and carved wood in
columns. The largest and laminated wooden ribs to staircases and walls. Many of
most elegant rooms of Federal support copper domes. the Italian artisans who were
homes are usually found brought over to execute this
on the second floor. work stayed in Boston, forming
Some of the grander exam­ an elite group within the
ples of Federal domestic Italian immigrant community
architecture, found mainly by around 1900.
on Beacon Hill, feature
ornamental ironwork and are
often crowned with octagonal Richardsonian
Romanesque
cupolas. Chestnut Street on
Beacon Hill (see pp44–5) America is far too young to
represents the greatest con­ boast a true Romanesque style,
centration of Federal­style row but Henry Hobson Richardson
houses in Boston. Individual effectively created one from
examples of the style include European inspira tions and
the Harrison Gray Otis House American stone. By the 1870s,
(see p54) and the Hepzibah Distinctive, multicolored, square tower of the wealthy city of Boston
Swan Houses (see p47). Trinity Church demanded more elaborate

034-035_EW_Boston.indd 34 09/01/17 12:14 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
Date 15th October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm