DR. A. P. J.

ABDUL KALAM TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY ,

LUCKNOW , UTTAR PRADESH

History of architecture -V, B.Arch. IIIrd Year , VI Semester , 28 May 2021, Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh

Chiswick Houses , London

Neo-Classical Architecture
Tushar Sharma
Faculty of Architecture and Planning , Aktu , Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh

Abstract
Chiswick House is an early 18th-century Palladian mansion built by the 3rd Earl of Burlington. The opulent interiors include Red,
Blue, and Green velvet rooms, and a Gallery with a gilded ceiling. The house is set in superb landscape gardens with classical
follies, statues, and some of the earliest water features in England.

Keywords: Neo-Classical ; Palladian ; Villa ; Symmetry ; Dome

1.Introduction
▪ Architects : Richard Boyle , Francis Fowke , William Kent
▪ Location :- West London
▪ Building type :- Villa
▪ Climate :- Temperate
▪ Style :- Neo-Classical
▪ Built in :- 1729 .(Jones , 2018)

2.History
2.1.Chiswick House Chiswick House

Chiswick House is an example of English Palladian Architecture in Burlington Lane, Chiswick, in the London Borough of
Hounslow in England. Arguably the finest remaining example of Neo-Palladian architecture in London, the house was designed
by Lord Burlington, and built between 1727 and 1729. …(Ross , 2015)The architectural historian Richard Hewlings has
established that Chiswick House was an attempt by Lord Burlington to create a Roman villa, rather than Renaissance pastiche,
situated in a symbolic Roman garden. Chiswick House is inspired in part by several buildings of the 16th-century Italian
architects Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) and his assistant Vincenzo Scamozzi (1552–1616).

2.1. Architect

He did something unusual to implement his ideas; using original drawings by Palladio as inspiration. Chiswick House was
modelled after Palladio's Villa Capra, in Vicenza, but Lord Burlington did not simply copy the Italian villa designed by Palladio;
he borrowed elements from numerous Roman classical locations and more modern 16th century buildings. For example, the
shallow dome is modelled after the Pantheon in Rome…(Ross , 2015).
1.
 3.Architecture
The brick-built Villa's facade is faced in Portland stone, with a small amount of stucco. The finely carved Corinthian
capitals on the projecting six-column portico at Chiswick, carved by John Boson, are derived from Rome's Temple of Castor
and Pollux .The inset door, projecting plinth and 'v'-necked rusticated vermiculation were all derived from the base of Trajan's
Column. The short sections of crenellated wall with ball finials which extend out either side of the villa were symbolic of
medieval (or Roman) fortified town walls and were inspired by their use by Palladio at his church of San Giorgio Maggiore in
Venice and by Inigo Jones (1573–1652) .

To reinforce this link two full-length statues of Palladio and Jones by the celebrated Flemish-born sculptor John Michael
Rysbrack (1694–1770) are positioned in front of these sections of wall. Palladio's influence can also be found in the general
cubic form of the villa with its central hall with other rooms leading off its axis. The villa is a half cube with a side of 70 feet
(21 m), 35 feet high . Inside are rooms of 10 feet (3.0 m) square, 15 feet (4.6 m) square and 15 feet (4.6 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m)
by 25 feet ….( Mayank , 2019) . The distance from the apex of the dome to the base of the cellar is 70 feet (21 m), making the
whole pile fit within a perfect, invisible cube. However, the decorative cornice at Chiswick was derived from a contemporary
source, that of James Gibbs's cornice at the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

Plan Section
At the rear of the Villa there are positioned 'herm' statues that derive from the Greek god Hermes, the patron of travellers and
thus are welcoming figures for all who wish to visit Lord Burlington's gardens (Lord Burlington's gardens at Chiswick were
the most visited of all London’s villas) .The villa was never intended for occupation as it contained no kitchens and space for
only three four poster beds on the ground floor. …( Mayank , 2019)It is possible that one purpose of the Villa was as an art
gallery, as inventories show more than 167 paintings hanging in situ at Chiswick House in Lord Burlington's lifetime, many
purchased on his two Grand Tours of Europe.

Elevation
2.
 4.Structure
The structure of the building, its dome, its rooms, its decoration, fittings and furniture are highly symmetrical, ordered,
proportioned its purpose to influence a new Augustan age in England…..(Lee , 2012)
More than a building, it was also a showcase of English intellectualism.

Isometric model

5.Interior Design
The interior of Chiswick House deeply interesting and lavish. The ground floor is low ceilinged and functional. The
action is mostly on the first floor.The central space – theTribunal – is a domed octagon. Each of its eight faces displays
large paintings – More on that shortly.

Extending outwards from the tribunal are the other rooms, all of which are shaped strictly on classical forms…..( Lee ,
2012)The decor and furnishings are likewise based on classical themes, most notably nautical: shells, fish scales ,Venus
and other sea gods. Statues, stone vases, portrain busts, pedestals and guilded chairs and tables abound.

Opening
Interior ornamentation
6.Conclusion
Chiswick House was influenced from Italian architectural style of palladio . The grandeur of the façade , and its portico
elevated with pillars emphases the building .

In Chiswick house the symmetry in the plan and the façade shows the neo Palladian style of architecture . Ornamentation
with classical interior and follies landscape with status all around.

7.References
▪ Jones , inigo.2018 , Chiswick House, London: principal floorplan and elevation of the entrance front , RIBA
architecture . Viewed 27 may 2021,< https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information >

▪ Ross , David.2015, Chiswick House , Britain Express. Viewed 27 may 2021, <
https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=156 >

▪ Mayank , l .2019, Architecture of Chiswick House, wikiwand. Viewed 28 may 2021, <
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Architecture_of_Chiswick_House >

▪ Lee , joe . 2012 , Palladian Perfection of Chiswick House, peacocks finest. Viewed 27 may 2021 , <
https://www.peacocksfinest.com/single-post/2017/08/06/palladian-perfection-of-chiswick-house >
3.