The
History of Gothic Architecture dates
back to medieval times and was specifically
used for religious houses of worship, specifically
cathedrals. The earlier definition of Collegiate
Gothic architecture, which is a symbol of strength
and knowledge, was synonymous with the late
medieval styles found at prestigious Oxford
and Cambridge universities in England.
The
early years of the 20th century were A
Time of Transition when
many American colleges and universities drew
their inspirations from
the Gothic style architecture and adapted it
to their campus design, hoping to project an
image of age, learning and respectability (1).
There
were two schools of
thought regarding the
expansion plan for Mount Holyoke College.
First, was the imagined or proposed architectural
plan and second, the realist conclusion that
was actually implemented on campus.
The
Envisioned Building Plan
The plan that Arthur Schurtleff and Ralph Adams Cram devised for Mount
Holyoke is intriguing in the way it took existing buildings, already
in Collegiate
Gothic style, and redressed them in grander, more monumental form (2).
The Implemented Building Plan
Charles Collens was the architect who successfully designed the expansion
of Williston Memorial Library and the new Abbey Chapel after careful
consideration of the cultural and academic aspects of the College.
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Home Page
The History of Gothic
Architecture:
Cambridge
and Princeton
About Ralph Cram
A Time of Transition:
Bryn Mawr
Mary E. Woolley
Frederick Olmsted Jr.
The Envisioned Plan:
Program for Campus Development
Designs for
the Library and Chapel
Shurtleff
and Cram Present Their Ideas
The Implemented
Plan:
Meetings
and Discussions
Collens'
Library Designs(Exterior)
Collens'
Library Designs (Interior)
Bertha
Blakely's Influence
Abbey
Memorial Chapel
Charles
Collens Dedication Speech and closing
comments
Trivial Pursuit
Question
References
