☆ 014 ; charleston

I went to Charleston over spring break and that city is absolutely gorgeous! Walking around the downtown area of Charleston then down at the Battery and Rainbow Row was just something else. Charleston has such a strong sense of self with some very unique, sometimes quirky architectural elements. The city design is based off of the English Renaissance style, which is particularly evident in the Rainbow Row area of town. And what was obvious to me, and hopefully you will see in some of my photographs, is the influence from Palladio. Classical architecture is put through a few strainers here: what starts off as Greek passed to the Romans is modified and codified by Palladio, which has a deep impact in England, which is then imported to Charleston. It's interesting to see familiar ideas in play here, like that the façade is more important (see the last photo below), which really lends to a sense of charm, and the orders. I even saw one house that had three levels, and on the first level were Doric columns, the second Ionic, and the third Corinthean.

I think my absolute favorite part of some of the houses was how they would have a front door right on the sidewalk, but it led to an outdoor porch, not even screened in. In this way I think the house had two façades, two porches-- since the first one that everyone else sees is literally five feet away from the street and has no transition between building and sidewalk, I think they move the real entrance back and place a door on the first façade not only to finish the visual look of it but to increase the sense of privacy. You see this in a lot of Modern architecture, particularly Frank Lloyd Wright (see Robie House), where you can't immediately find the front door, and public and private functions are separated (much like in the palazzo and villa designs-- Villa Capra, yes?). The door on the first façade still acts as a friendly reminder, though, the first porch, a welcome mat if you will, but the true façade is reserved for those invited in.

If you all get the chance you should definitely visit Charleston, it's only a five hour drive! There's a lot of good food there too... A LOT of good food.