“Specimens for the Architectural Lectures:” Jefferson’s Orders at the University of Virginia, with Calder Loth

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

“Specimens for the Architectural Lectures” is how Thomas Jefferson described the intent of his use of different versions of the classical orders for his design of the University of Virginia. Not only did his scheme result in a visually striking complex, it formed a unique medium for imparting architectural knowledge to its students. Even 200 years later Jefferson’s “Academical Village” continues to be an effective means for teaching both basics and nuances of the classical language. To this end, Calder Loth’s video lecture offers insights on each of the complex’s orders and relates them to the published sources Jefferson used for reference. Included in the presentation are the ancient structures from which the orders and their details were derived. Also revealed are some of our architect-president’s personal touches to the orders.

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 also serves on the University of Virginia's historic preservation advisory committee. 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 the distinction between ancient and modern classical architectural orders.
• Learn how Jefferson mined published sources on classical architecture for material to employ in his university scheme.
• Learn how Jefferson applied the classical language to visually enrich a new concept in university design.
• Observe how Jefferson’s creative use of the classical orders served a didactic function and can still do so today.
• Consider where the ancient examples of the orders used by Jefferson might be seen in other classical works.
• Gain an appreciation of the different versions of the classical orders and how they can serve as a design resource 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 Jefferson's Original Sources for Design

7:35: Examination of Pavilions I - V
7:35: Pavilion I
11:56: Pavilion II
18:35: Pavilion III
22:09: Pavilion IV
26:30: Pavilion V

30:20: Examination of Pavilions VI - X
30:20: Pavilion VI
31:59: Pavilion VII
34:18: Pavilion VIII
39:56: Pavilion IX
44:42: Pavilion X

50:05: The Rotunda & Conclusions

Assessment & Credit

Viewers may receive 1.5 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective and 1.5 credits towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture (Elective) 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

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, calder loth