There are different architectural designs all over the world. Most architectural styles used in America’s buildings during the Renaissance were borrowed from countries such as France and Italy. Such a combination of designs from various areas resulted in cultural diversity depicted in the form of structures. The Civil War in America left the country in shambles with no influential building to be cited. The war had caused massive destruction to property and buildings.
However, after the war was over, it was time for America’s rebuilding. It was necessary to put down roots, as well as come up with structures that were far more permanent and durable (Ingersoll and Kostof 23). Nevertheless, the challenge was that the architectural outlook of America was composed of a landscape that consisted entirely of replicas of Old World forms such as Victorian homes, neoclassical public buildings, and Georgian churches. For this reason, when Hobson Richardson came up with the reconstruction of America, it was clear that reliable buildings would be put up. Richardson is a renowned American architect known for most of the influential buildings in the world. He learned his architectural skills from Paris and has amazing expertise in reinterpreting European building styles and forms. However, Richardson’s building style focused on the medieval Romanesque buildings dotted everywhere in Italy, Spain, and France. Richardson brought the Romanesque style of architecture when he developed the Trinity Church. The Trinity Church was built following the Romanesque architectural style and has had a great influence on American architecture as far as the American Renaissance period is concerned.
Most of the time, people tend to ignore the great works of art without a second thought of how much work has been significant in the long run. Pieces of art can act as strategic turning points, with them being far more important than the common crises or politics in major parts of the world (O’Gorman 14). As such, a great musical piece, play, novel, or even an outstanding painting or building might seem way insignificant, but a critical review of the item can be a pointer of the future while drawing its inspiration from the past. For this reason, there are buildings, music, paintings, and novels that mark a given era. Any work of art often has a grounding feel. The Trinity Church is a perfect example of such a piece of work, drawing inspiration from the past.
The Trinity Church is located in America, particularly in Boston city. The church is found on a land that was believed could not hold any form of structure. The Back Bay of Boston, as well as its neighborhood, was known to comprise of tidal marsh. In spite of this, the marsh was turned into an extremely fashionable environment such that the Trinity Church building project drew attention from all parts of the world. The Trinity Church comprises building materials such as Longmeadow sandstone and Monson granite. The Church’s tower is estimated to be over ninety million pounds in weight. The immense weight of the Trinity Church’s tower is supported by piles of cedar, whereby the design incorporated a 90 feet square below the water table to support the numerous cedar piles. The entire building is made of wood, unlike most other buildings that were erected during this period.
The Trinity Church follows the Romanesque architectural design, just like many other buildings built during the American Renaissance period. As such, the Trinity Church has articulate round-headed arches. Most of the buildings built following the style adopted by Richardson attract many people because of the rusticated rock faces that are composed of numerous characteristics such as lintels and archways. These features are often designed from different types of stones. There are parts of the Trinity Church that appear as though they are unfinished. Such areas make part of the Richardson architectural design. A feel of the building’s massiveness was achieved through ornaments made of wrought iron, as well as deep window reveals. The Richardson architectural style, as witnessed in the case of the Trinity Church consists of pyramidal tops and protruding bays that may be topped up with cones.
Considering the case of the Trinity Church, Richardson made use of Romanesque tradition along with a few new approaches before coming up with Romanesque architecture. This type of building style was completely new and distinctly American. Ever since it was built, the structure has been of much influence to the Americans and other people from all parts of the world. For example, the Trinity church brought a wave of architectural design change from the traditional building style to a bold new style (Kierkegaard 39). The Church’s heavy walls that are made up of rough-faced stone, its massive tower, and the rounded arches are incredible features that many people have often wanted to copy. Its boldness and style are one that can never be compared with the structures that existed before the Civil War or even during the war.
A critical review of the Trinity Church’s architectural design indicates that there is a close relationship between the church’s design and the European style of building. Thus, it can be seen that the Richardson style had a lot of inspiration from the Romanesque style that was commonly used in Europe between the 11th and 12th centuries. This design carries a lot of significance in that it depicts the early forms of classical Roman building styles. As such, the Trinity Church carries memories of classical Roman architecture. As the country grew and recovered from the civil war, the Richardsonian Romanesque style of a building left many effects in numerous parts of the country (Kierkegaard 39). The attention was focused on the Trinity Church design that inspired many architects in America and other parts of the world. For example, the design impressed Louis Sullivan, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright since it brought a new feel to American architecture.
The influence of the Trinity Church goes past authentic appeal (Kierkegaard 33). The building has been described as one of its kind and a cultural event that is highly significant in the history of American architecture. It serves as a link between the Puritan past and Boston’s mind. In addition, the Trinity Church’s Romanesque style presents the role of creativity as applied in architecture. The Trinity Church brought about the maturity of American culture, along with energy, power, and wealth in the culture itself. The style depicts the ability of the builders and the faith that they had in the arts (O’Gorman 14).
Additionally, the construction of the Trinity Church in the city of Boston marked the revival of America’s construction culture. Following the introduction of the Richardson Romanesque architectural design and style, the country attained some degree of sophistication considering that the country was free to dispel its fear of art. It also became easy for Americans and the world in general to appreciate art.
From the foregoing, it suffices that the architectural design of the Trinity Church located in Boston was highly influential especially in the renaissance period in the American history of architecture. The building not only served as a gathering place for worship in America but also brought a new look to American art. As pointed out earlier, the architectural style of the Trinity Church played a great role in connecting America’s future and present with the past whereby the strategic Romanesque architectural style acted as a pointer to the future of architecture in America. Up to date, the Trinity Church is known as one of the highly significant and influential buildings in the history of American architecture. Added to its architectural significance is the fact that the construction of the Trinity Church took place in a marshland that was believed incapable of supporting any form of structure (George 52). The Trinity Church has been used as both a parish church and center for pastoral care, community service as well as Christian education center. In addition, this historic building attracts tourists from different parts of the world. Evidently, the Trinity Church has not only been influential to the Americans but also to other people all over the globe.
Works Cited
George, Martins. “Romanesque Architecture: The First Style of the European Age.” Choice Reviews Online 52.06 (2015): 52-292. Print.
Ingersoll, Richard and Spiro Kostof. World Architecture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print.
Kierkegaard, R. Lawrence. “Trinity Church, Boston, MA.” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119.5 (2006): 33-99. Print.
O’Gorman, James F. The Makers of Trinity Church in the City Of Boston. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2004. Print.