Palladio's Book IV: Four and a Half Centuries of Inspiration with Calder Loth

1.5 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective and 1.5 credits towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture

By ICAA Education

December 18, 2020

Andrea Palladio’s The Four Book on Architecture is unquestionably the most influential architectural treatise ever written. The treatise’s Book IV consists of Palladio’s illustrations and descriptions of twenty-five Roman temples. From his study of their ruins Palladio produced ninety-seven pages of elevations, sections, plans, and details depicting his concepts of the temples’ original appearance. His lavish plates offered for the first time a credible vision of the grandeur and beauty of ancient Roman design. Book IV’s seductive images have served as a primary design source for many great classical works henceforth. This video lecture offers a glimpse of the riches of Book IV and presents numerous examples of structures that drew inspiration from Palladio’s plates. A primary intent of this presentation is to encourage current practitioners to mine Book IV’s many resources for enriching contemporary classicism.

About the Presenter

Calder Loth is Senior Architectural Historian for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Advisory Council. He was the recipient of the 2010 ICAA Board of Directors Honor Award and the 2017 Virginia AIA Honor Award for significant contributions to the understanding of Virginia's built environment. He is the author of Congressional Resolution 259 honoring the 500th anniversary of the birth of Andrea Palladio, passed unanimously.

Learning Objectives

Learn how specific temples have influenced numerous classical style works.
Learn the ancient sources for popular classical motifs and details.
Understand how Palladio devised conjectural reconstructions from fragmentary ruins.
Learn the impact of Book IV on American public architecture.
Recognize Book IV as a design source for contemporary classicism.

Course Navigation and Review Questions

As you watch the video, you can browse by subject using the course outline and timestamps below. As you progress through the video, you can follow along with optional (ungraded) review questions here to help assess your understanding of the material.

0:00: Introduction and Impact

9:30: Temples in Book IV & Their Use as Precedents

40:55: Details in Book IV & Their Use as Precedents

54:20: Desgodetz & Conclusions

Assessment & Credit

Viewers may receive 1.5 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective and 1.5 credits towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture by watching this video and subsequently scoring at least 70% on a summative assessment that tests your understanding of the material. For more information on Continuing Education credit, please email [email protected], or call 212-730-9646 x 112.

The assessment is available here.

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AIA Continuing Education Provider Information

Please click here for additional AIA CES Provider Information:

Course Delivery Type: On-Demand e-learning Program

Program Level: Introductory

Prerequisites: None

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: November 19, 2023

Provider Number: G193

Provider Statement: The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number G193. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

Thank You to our Lead Sponsor for Continuing Education, Uberto Construction

A Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor of Online Education: Douglas C. Wright Architects

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