Week 8 Responses

Week 8 Response

Labrouste’s Biblotheque Nationale located in Paris is a major example of the Beaux art style that prevailed during the 19th century Revival Movement. Typical of beaux arts buildings, the library features new technology, symmetry and classical finishing. What reflects the modernity of this building is the replacement of stone for cast iron infrastructure. What is striking however, is although this new technology is incorporated, classical ionic column structures are still present. As Professor Han mentioned in his lecture, it is no coincidence that this library looks eerily similar to a train station, Labrouste took inspiration from them believing they were highly functional and stylistically attractive. The notable features of this library are the domed oculus’ in the roof allow light itself to reveal the massiveness of this building.

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