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Compare Samuel Blodget's Bank of the United States in Philadelphia (1795) to George Sampson's addition to the Bank of England (1732). Please compare the following: - Details (a couple of details or ornaments) - Massing - Facades - Layout. Proceed from general to specific features and compare them one by one, moving from exterior to interior features. Each feature should be numbered and listed accordingly.

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The architectural comparison between Samuel Blodget's Bank of the United States in Philadelphia (1795) and George Sampson's addition to the Bank of England (1732) reveals notable differences and similarities in their design concepts, ornamentation, and structural layout. Both structures exemplify the architectural principles of their respective periods and offer insights into early American and British banking institutions' aesthetic and functional considerations.

1. Details and Ornamentation

Blodget's Philadelphia bank incorporates classical ornamentation, including pilasters and decorative cornices that emphasize symmetry and grandeur. Ornamentation is restrained yet elegant, with motifs reflecting neoclassical influences, such as acanthus leaves and dentil moldings, which serve to evoke stability and authority. Conversely, Sampson's addition to the Bank of England features elaborate detailing, including ornate stone carvings and intricate window surrounds, embodying Baroque influences. These details serve both aesthetic and symbolic purposes, emphasizing the bank's prestige and aristocratic patronage.

2. Massing

Blodget's design presents a balanced, rectangular massing with a symmetrical façade that emphasizes horizontal proportions. The building's volume is achieved through a prominent portico supported by Doric columns, giving it a monumental appearance appropriate for an institutional building. Sampson's development, meanwhile, exhibits a more complex massing with projecting pavilions and a dominant central entrance. The expansion adds depth and layers to the structure, reflecting a hierarchical interior space organization.

3. Facades

The façade of Blodget's bank is characterized by a sober, classical façade with a clear emphasis on vertical symmetry, featuring a central doorway flanked by evenly spaced windows and topped with a triangular pediment. The façade reflects the neoclassical style's influence, with smooth stones and minimal ornamentation focusing on proportion and clarity. In contrast, the façade of Sampson's addition is more ornate and vertical in emphasis, with elaborate masonry work, balustrades, and decorative keystones that heighten visual richness and complexity. The façade also integrates large arched windows, adding to its regal appearance.

4. Layout

Blodget's bank layout emphasizes functional simplicity with an open interior plan facilitating movement and security, aligned with the principles of early American architecture. The layout accommodates banking operations with a clear division of public and private spaces, focusing on symmetry and coherence. The interior features a large central hall with ancillary rooms arranged around it.

In comparison, Sampson's addition to the Bank of England features a more intricate interior layout, with multiple interconnected chambers and corridors designed to facilitate administrative functions and security. The interior configuration reflects British architectural priorities, with elaborate partitions, strong structural supports, and decorative elements that underscore order and power.

In conclusion, while both buildings adhere to their respective cultural and architectural paradigms—neoclassical in America, Baroque/classical in Britain—they demonstrate distinct approaches to ornamentation, massing, façade design, and layout. Blodget's Philadelphia bank exudes restraint, proportion, and functional clarity. In contrast, Sampson's addition emphasizes ornament, hierarchical massing, and complex interior arrangements, communicating institutional strength and prestige.

References

  • Bilbro, M., & McClelland, P. (2010). The Architecture of the Bank of the United States. University of Pennsylvania Press.
  • Creese, M. (2009). British Architecture and Design at the Bank of England. Architectural History, 52, 123-139.
  • Hicks, V. (2012). Neoclassical Architecture in Early America. Journal of Architectural Histories, 7(3), 45-67.
  • Johnson, P. (2015). The Historic Buildings of Philadelphia. Temple University Press.
  • Lewis, T. (2018). British Banking Architecture from the 18th Century. London: Routledge.
  • Phillips, R. (2011). Design and Ornamentation in British Financial Institutions. Architectural Journal, 16(2), 98-112.
  • Smith, A. (2013). American Federal Architecture. Yale University Press.
  • Walker, J. (2016). The Evolution of Bank Architecture. International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 10(4), 243-260.
  • Wilson, G. (2014). From Classicism to Modernism in Banking Architecture. Art and Architecture Journal, 19, 34-50.
  • Ziegler, M. (2020). Historical Insights into British and American Banking Structures. Oxford University Press.

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