The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, New England Chapter

Happy Halloween! 👻 Today we’re featuring this cozy Nantucket Captain’s House by , which took home this year’s Bulfinch in the historic preservation category.

Tickets are still on sale at the link in the bio for this year’s Bulfinch Awards dinner gala at the Harvard Club of Boston on Nov. 9!

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In honor of today’s balmy weather, we’re featuring “Loyalist Cottage” by .design, located on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, which took home the 2024 Bulfinch Award in the international category.

Next up: “Pool House in an Olmsted Landscape” by , which took home the 2024 Bulfinch Award in the small project/folly category.

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We are so excited to finally announce the winners of the 2024 Bulfinch Awards! The winners of the 13th Bulfinch Awards exemplify the finest work that advances the classical tradition in New England or by New England firms.

First up: “Wild Harbor Legacy Gambrel” by , who took home the Bulfinch for the best residential new build over 5,000 square feet, located in Falmouth, MA.

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Join us, Thursday, October 10th, for a book lecture—with Notre Dame professor and architect Steven Semes—focused on a newly published book on early 20th-century Italian architect, urbanist, and scholar, Gustavo Giovannoni (1873-1947). Giovannoni was one of the fathers of the modern conservation movement and a precursor to our current movements for new traditional architecture, New Urbanism, and sustainable design. Semes will discuss Giovannoni’s valuable insights into new architecture in historic settings, conservation of urban neighborhoods, and restoration of historic structures.

Prof. Steven W. Semes was a practicing architect for over 30 years before joining the Notre Dame faculty in 2005. Author of two books and numerous articles, Professor Semes is particularly interested in the recovery of the classical language of architecture and the impact that this recovery has on changing approaches to the conservation and interpretation of cultural heritage sites. His current research in this area focuses on the issue of defining appropriate new architecture in historic settings.

Prof. Semes served as Academic Director of the Rome Studies Program from 2008-2011, and continues to divide his time between the Notre Dame campus and the Rome Global Gateway. His research there has focused on the architects of the inter-war period in Rome who continued the classical tradition in architecture and urbanism.

He is the author of The Future of the Past: A Conservation Ethic for Architecture, Urbanism, and Historic Preservation (2009) and The Architecture of the Classical Interior (2004), and was a contributor to the republication of Georges Gromort’s The Elements of Classical Architecture, all published by W. W. Norton & Co. in the Classical America Series in Art and Architecture. His articles have appeared in The New Criterion, National Trust Forum Journal, American Arts Quarterly, and Traditional Building, among other publications.

Professor Semes received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia (1975), and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University (1980). Tickets in bio link

Join the Co-Chairs of the Boston Chapter of the French Heritage Society and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art New England Chapter for an evening with renowned interior designer Timothy Corrigan, introducing his newest book “At Home in France: Inspiration & Style in Town & Country” on Wednesday, September 25th at the Chilton Club.

In his third book, Timothy Corrigan, AD100 and Elle Decor A-List designer shares the joys of decorating and living in his Paris apartment and new château infectiously inspiring us to design à la française.

In his talk to us, Timothy will share how having a nineteenth-century apartment in Paris, steps from the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower, is a dream. So is owning an eighteenth-century château in the French countryside known as “The Versailles of the fields”. Traveling through his spectacular new château room by room, he tells the story of its purchase, restoration, and decoration. Layered throughout are insights and advice on topics ranging from antiquing in Paris, hanging art in the French style, hosting with panache, and exploring the French countryside.

All tickets come with a copy of Timothy Corrigan’s new book. Tickets in bio link.

There is still time to join us in Vermont! Saturday, 9/7, is the conclusion of the Summer Drawing Tour Through New England, Part Six: The Vermont State House, Montpelier, Vermont.

The current Vermont State Capitol was designed in 1857 by architect Thomas Silloway amplifying the design of an earlier structure designed by Ammi B. Young that was destroyed in a fire. Silloway salvaged the original Doric portico, as well as portions of the granite walls. He added an additional bay of windows on each side of the central portico and increased the height of the dome (copper on a wood substructure) to its current level. This may have been done to imitate the increased height of the new Capitol dome in Washington designed by Thomas U. Walter, which was being constructed during the same time.

The program focuses on the enduring vitality and continuity of the classical tradition through the means of observational and analytical drawing.

Instructor: David Pearson
Tickets: in bio link

Join us in Maine on Saturday, 8/17 for the Summer Drawing Tour Through New England, Part Five: The Maine State House, Augusta, Maine.

A 34-acre site for the Capitol was selected on “Weston Hill,” on the western side of the Kennebec River. Architect Charles Bulfinch was enlisted to design plans for the new building. For the original design, Bulfinch chose a Greek Revival simplicity. Major remodeling of the Capitol during 1909-1910 established the present-day appearance. It was designed by G. Henri Desmond and executed by Charles Hichborn of Augusta.

The program focuses on the enduring vitality and continuity of the classical tradition through the means of observational and analytical drawing.

Instructor: David Pearson
Tickets: in bio link

Join us in Providence, RI on 6/29. The Rhode Island State House, constructed between 1891 and 1901, is located just below the crest of Smith Hill, on the border of downtown Providence. It is a neoclassical building designed by McKim, Mead & White, which features the fourth largest structural-stone dome in the world, topped by a gilded statue of “The Independent Man,” representing freedom and independence.

The program focuses on the enduring vitality and continuity of the classical tradition through the means of observational and analytical drawing.

Other Sessions in the Series:
July 20, 2024 Part Four: The New Hampshire State House, Concord, New Hampshire
August 17, 2024 Part Five: The Maine State House, Augusta, Maine
September 7, 2024 Part Six: The Vermont State House, Montpelier, Vermont

Instructor: David Pearson
Tickets: in bio link

On Sunday June 9th, William Young took members on a tour of Bay State Road, which is tucked between Kenmore Square and the Charles River. The final portion of the decades-long Back Bay landfill effort, Bay State Road was developed over the 20- year period straddling the turn of the last century. As this was a heyday of architectural eclecticism, the street presents a rich stylistic array; fine houses in the Romanesque and Beaux-Arts idioms coexist alongside distinguished examples of the Georgian, Colonial and Federal Revivals.

Several of these contain extraordinary and largely intact interiors whose inventive plans, rich ornamental details and lavish materials represent the culmination of the city rowhouse type in Boston. Designed by such luminaries as Arthur Little, William York Peters and Chapman & Frazer, these spaces are today owned and maintained by Boston University.

On June 18th ICAA New England chapter president, Nancy Berry will moderate Behind Closed Doors: Experts Share Insights on the Process of Collaboration from Inception to Installation

Panel Description - Between the various design experts, what goes into the collaborative process when working together to achieve optimal results in form and function? Whether a new build or renovation, how do architects and designers work together to create a cohesive environment? How does the architecture set the tone and how do designers create dynamic settings with longevity in mind? Elizabeth Lawrence, Darren Henault, Sarah Magness, and Douglas Wright will discuss the many nuances of bringing a project to life, moderated by Nancy Berry, editor of Northshore Magazine, Ocean Home Magazine & Traditional Building.

On Saturday we kicked off our Summer Drawing Tour through New England. We are sketching all six New England capitols this summer, starting at the Massachusetts State house and then a visit to another Bulfinch work ‘s Otis House (1796). Next stop Hartford, CT on 6/22. Details on dates and tickets are in bio link.
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One month until the deadline. Call for entries! We are accepting submissions for the 2024 Bulfinch Awards until June 15, 2024. Head to the link in the bio to find out more about submissions and to see last year’s winners.

Join us on Sunday, June 9th for Sunday, “High and Inside: Historic Interiors of Bay State Road.” Tucked between Kenmore Square and the Charles River, Bay State Road is a frequent haunt of Red Sox fans in desperate search of game-day parking. This fascinating historic district is well worth a visit in any season, however—and is particularly charming on a Sunday in early June, when the team is on the road!

The final portion of the decades-long Back Bay landfill effort, Bay State Road was developed over the 20- year period straddling the turn of the last century. As this was a heyday of architectural eclecticism, the street presents a rich stylistic array; fine houses in the Romanesque and Beaux-Arts idioms coexist alongside distinguished examples of the Georgian, Colonial and Federal Revivals.

Several of these contain extraordinary and largely intact interiors whose inventive plans, rich ornamental details and lavish materials represent the culmination of the city rowhouse type in Boston. Designed by such luminaries as Arthur Little, William York Peters and Chapman & Frazer, these spaces are today owned and maintained by Boston University, through whose courtesy we are able to invite you (as one might say of a pitch at Fenway Park) high and inside.

This walking tour is led by William Young and a reception will follow at Eastern Standard, 775 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215 Ticket in bio link.

Join us for an exciting series of drawing sessions, touring the six capitol cities of New England, with our first stop in Boston on June 8th.

The Massachusetts State House, located in the Beacon Hill, Boston, was designed by architect Charles Bulfinch. Completed in January 1798, it has been added onto substantially over the years. It is one of the oldest state capitols in current use and is considered a masterpiece of Federal architecture and among Bulfinch’s finest works.

The program focuses on the enduring vitality and continuity of the classical tradition through the means of observational and analytical drawing. The morning session will be spent drawing the State House with special attention to the architectural details. The afternoon will be spent walking to other nearby Bulfinch buildings for additional drawing exercises.

Instructor: David Pearson
Tickets: in bio link

Please join us on Saturday, June 1st, as PBS’s Antiques Road Show guest appraiser Peter Pap delves into the history of rugs including the unique characteristics of woven into these works of art by villagers and nomads from major weaving countries. Pap has been dealing in distinctive rugs for more than 45 years and is recognized nationally and internationally by collectors and designers as one of the country’s foremost experts on antique rugs, carpets, and tribal weavings. He has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Elle Décor, GQ, House Beautiful, and the Wall Street Journal. The talk will be held at the 1883 Tudor style manse designed for Henry Lee Higginson, founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

The lecture will be followed by a wine reception in the home’s glorious gardens designed in the 1930s by renowned landscape architect Fletcher Steele, who also reimagined the gardens at Naumkeag in Stockbridge. The Manchester-by-the-Sea garden, dubbed Highgarden/Hyghe Contente, features Steele’s signature waterfall and reflecting pool carved from existing bedrock. Original plantings such as dwarf Japanese maple, Chinese juniper, hydrangea, and lilac continue to thrive today. A zinc statue of Poseidon introduced by Steele is also found on the lawn. Today’s owner designer Paul Stremple will share the manor house and gardens history and evolution with guests and answer any questions about this historical verdant masterpiece. Tickets are available in bio link.

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It’s that time of year! Calling all submissions for the 2024 Bulfinch Awards. Head to the link in the bio to find out more about submissions and to see last year’s winners.
http://www.classicist-ne.org/bulfinch-awards-1

A sneak peek inside the Colony House, the fourth oldest extant statehouse, and the site of The ICAA Intensive in Classical Architecture: Newport, from October 19 - 26, 2024. Built in 1739 The Colony House served as the primary state house of Rhode Island from its completion in 1739 until 1901, when the new state house in Providence opened. The building also served as the Newport County Courthouse.

The building contains two portraits of Geroge Washington one by Gilbert Stuart and the other by his daughter, Jane. During your time here you can learn the rumored reason why Geroge is standing at the rear end of his horse in Jane’s portrait.

Arrangements have been made for students to stay at the Jailhouse inn, built in 1772 to hold prisoners and those awaiting trial at the Colony House - just a block away.

More info on The ICAA Intensive in Classical Architecture: Newport can be found in the bio link.

The ICAA New England Chapter, in collaboration with the ICAA National Office, is pleased to host a Regional Intensive this fall in Newport, Rhode Island, October 19 - 26, 2024.

The Intensive is an eight-day immersion in the ICAA’s core curriculum. The program is designed for professionals and students with limited time who seek a methodical introduction to the language of classical architecture. Participants learn how to draw, identify, and compose with the classical elements to form an understanding of the basic tenets on which the classical tradition is founded.

Topics include: The classical elements and composition, proportion, architectural representation through drawing and rendering, the study of precedent, and the literature of classical architecture.

The week culminates in a studio project in which students use the classical canon in the design of a small building. Students are guided through a design process rooted in the Beaux-Arts system in which an initial parti is developed during an esquisse and a charrette into a finished design proposal. The program concludes with a review by an esteemed panel of architects.

The Intensive program satisfies the core subject requirements for the ICAA’s Certificate in Classical Architecture. Visit bio link for more info.

On Thursday, January 25, please join us in partnership with the Boston Athenaeum for History Reinterpreted: The Myles Standish Hotel, a book talk and Q&A with Patrick Ahearn.

The second published work from celebrated classical architect Patrick Ahearn, History Reinterpreted showcases the reimagination of the north wing of the 1871 Myles Standish Hotel in Duxbury, Massachusetts, detailing the process of its dramatic transformation into a grand dame seaside estate. The step-by-step architectural metamorphosis unfolds from cover to cover, fascinating anyone who has ever wondered “what if” about a once vibrant aging property.

Reception to follow in the Leventhal Room. Tickets in bio link.

Winning the Bulfinch Award in the commercial category in 2023 was .uribe.architects for Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, a cozy new hangout on Charles Street in Boston.

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Happy holidays from us and the festive ! 🎄

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Still reminiscing about this gorgeous night! 🍸🦪🏛️

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the 2023 Bulfinch Awards! Here are a few shots from a fantastic celebration. 🥂