Louisburg Square

Louisburg Square is located right in the heart of Boston, on one of the original land formations of the city known as Beacon Hill. the hill is packed cozily with rowhouses reminiscent of the colonial style, while also incorporating motifs from the classic revival and the renaissance. The plan of Louisburg square consists of a large, fenced off green space, surrounded on all sides by rowhouses that were most likely constructed during the 18th century. The entire neighborhood is extremely tight-nit and private, with the only real public space being the green space in the center of the square. Even then, however, the green space is fenced off and unused.

My first examination of the area was of the ornate iron railings clearly visible on each building in the square. Each one was completely different from any other, and all the railings were very decorative. Some consisted of french curve-like figures swirling in and around one another, others more abstractly portrayed animals or crests, and a few seemed to have been designed freely, without any major significance.After taking a look at the railings and ornament in the area, i began to examine the doors and entrywas in the area. It was immediately clear that each one alluded to classical architecture in some way or another. Many doors were decoratively carved, with emblems and etchings in the center, conveying a sense of importance or authority. Others were ordained with polished brass knockers or fine trimmings. However, every entryway in the neighborhood was flanked on both sides by columns of some kind. Many used the doric style, others used ionic. Very few entryways used subtler classical motifs in the form of pilasters.

However, the most obvious reference to classical or renaissance architecture was in the form and pattern of the buildings themselves. Many of the rowhouses in the area were arranged in a pattern of curved wall to flat wall, repeating the entire length of the street. Another pattern could also be seen in the entryways, where the doorways were capped by traingular or arched greek-style pediments. This repetition was a technique often employed by architects in the palazzos of renaissance Italy in an attempt to create rhythm in facades. The use of such patterns clearly shows the influence of the renaissance. The use of the renaissance style is starkly contrasted, however, by the later additions to existing buildings. Many of the houses in the area seem to have had an extra floor added on at some point late after the original construction. This can be assessed by examining the windows of the top floors in comparison to the windows of the rest of the buildings. Also, the materials used in the additions seem a bit out of place, and in some cases (see picture below) an obvious difference in style and construction method can be seen. Overall, Louisburg square serves as a nice retreat from the busy streets of downtown Boston, while the cobblestone roads, the classical styles and materials used in construction serve as a pleasant reminder to a style of life enjoyed from the founding of our nation up until this very moment. Until next time...