An Introduction to the American Greek Revival with Jacques Levet

1.25 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective and 1.25 credits towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture

By ICAA

October 6, 2020

In the 19th century, Grecian architecture was utilized to help develop what is often referred to as the country’s first national architecture. It led an aesthetic movement that crossed social boundaries and affected urban and rural landscapes of areas as different as Baltimore, Maryland and New Orleans, Louisiana. This course will examine the development of this Greek Revival movement in the United States by investigating its origins, discussing how this architectural language became prevalent in our country, and demonstrating through a Louisiana case study how it affected the architectural development of existing building traditions. It will additionally focus on a series of particular elements of interest to designers and builders and discuss references available for use and study. By examining the use of Grecian precedent as a source for modern design in the 19th century, the course will demonstrate how the Greek Revival language can continue to inspire design solutions today.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the basics of the development of the Grecian movement in the United States

2. Become familiar with the various modes of transmission that allowed the Grecian movement to become prevalent across the country

3. Understand how precedent was utilized to adapt the language to existing traditions

4. Understand how the Grecian movement is an example of utilizing historic precedent towards new forms and building types

5. Identify various elements that can be utilized and adapted in modern designs

6. Be familiar with historical and modern resources to utilize as design references and further research

About the Presenter

Jacques Levet, Jr., born and raised in Southeast Louisiana, began his professional education by studying biomedical engineering and medicine. During his medical training, he became involved in the preservation community of New Orleans and founded a youth-oriented organization, Louisiana Home, aimed at safeguarding the state’s cultural heritage. After two years of medical school and becoming increasingly more passionate about architecture, Jacques decided to change his career path and pursued a masters degree in Classical Architecture at Notre Dame.

While at Notre Dame, Jacques received the Acanthus Award for Classical and Vernacular design and a Travel Fellowship to study American Greek Revival architecture, traveling over 6000 miles around the country to study over 100 different sites. In 2016, Jacques was awarded the J. Neel Reid Prize by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, a travel fellowship that allowed him to examine Thomas Jefferson’s time in Paris and how Jefferson’s application of the ideas he saw in France advanced the built environment in America. In 2018, he received a Shutze Award for his design for a Center of Architecture in New Orleans as well as the Suzanne Kasler Paris Drawing Tour Scholarship. He currently works for D. Stanley Dixon Architect.

Assessment & Credit

Viewers may receive 1.25 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective and 1.25 credits towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture (Elective) by watching this video course 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.

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 to Course Goals; History and Transmission of Grecian Architecture

12:20: Historical Use of Precedent

16:35: Precedent for Modern Work

37:13: Effect on the Vernacular; Resources

Course Feedback Form

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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 required

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: July 17, 2026

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: Revival Sash

Tags: video, education, video course, credit available