Enlightened Architecture

.

as envisioned & drawn by Jefferson
image from wikipedia

 Jefferson's sketch of the University of Virginia Rotunda

The rotunda at the University of Virginia was planned by Thomas Jefferson to represent the authority of nature and the power of reason. The classical architecture of Palladio best represented the ideals of Jefferson's vision for the architecture. The University's Library was originally housed in the Rotunda-Jefferson considered the library to be the beacon of enlightenment and wisdom.

Jefferson is the only US President to found a university- and to design one.

University of Virginia founded 1819

image from here

Detail of University of Virginia map
by Herman Böÿe, 1827.
University of Virginia Library

(image from here)

Campus Plan University of Virginia c.1825
image from wikipedia

the Serpentine Wall

University of Virginia

image from here

& then there's this- It reminds me of a bank or two I've seen.

Regent's University founded 1978 by Pat Robertson

Virginia Beach VA

images from wikipedia

this- all there is to say is oh NO! No prayer can help this view.

Oral Roberts University here

founded 1963

Tulsa Oklahoma

& this. trying, failing miserably to channel a little Jeffersonian vibe.

Liberty University founded 1971 by Jerry Falwell

Lynchburg, Virginia

image here

read more about the architecture of the University of Virginia -the Ideological Spaces of the Academical Village by Jim Cocola here

read more about  the Rotunda Occulus here

.