Henri Labrouste’s Bibliotheque Nationale (or National Library) brings in modern and classical elements. One of the major modern elements would be the use of cast iron for the columns and for the windows. There is heavy use of cast iron throughout the building and the open design of the architecture is reminiscent of the Crystal Palace, a modern building that was mostly built out of cast iron and glass. Additionally, the architecture brings in classical elements, such as the ionic capitals on the column. The building follows the architectural principal that ionic columns are represent places of wisdom.