Massachusetts State House: A Study in Architectural Contrasts

Introduction

The sets of structures identified are The Massachusetts State House built by Charles Bulfinch and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum constructed by I. M Pei. The structure which appealed to me was the Massachusetts State House designed by Charles Bulfinch because it looks like the old Connecticut State House (Conroy, 104), currently known as the City Hall located in Hartford. The Massachusetts State House has more classical characteristics compared to the Rock and Roll building; while, the Hall of Fame building has more of the romantic aspects.

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The location of the Massachusetts State House in Beacon Hill, Boston, on the land formerly owned by John Hancock and its source of inspiration using the neoclassical-federal style by Charles Bulfinch was from the magnificent temples belonging to the Greeks and Romans located in Europe. The building's most noticeable feature is its dome, which originally was made of wooden shingles. It was later copper-plated; then, currently, it is made of gold. The Massachusetts State House has more classical characteristics compared to the Hall of Fame building because of its design. It has a large rectangular plan accompanied by a low-lying roof.

Additionally, the division of the exterior is in multiple repeated features, often columns and an arch. There are also sculptures of people in front of the building, such as former President J.F Kennedy. The building is symmetrical as it complements the incline of a hill, and its simplicity is associated with the material used during its construction, which is local granite material.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is built on the shores of Lake Erie, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio. Its location was influenced because it was the birthplace of the Rock and Roll type of music. The building of the Hall of Fame relied on modern architectural design. The majority of the composition of the building is made up of geometric shapes. The construction of the building relied on materials such as steel and glass to prevent the building from collapsing. When comparing the Hall of Fame building with the Massachusetts State House, the Rock and Roll Hall has more romantic features. It is because of its artistic and intellectual nature. The artistic nature comes to display with how the building looks like an explosive music chord with the sculptural components echoing from the water. The design of the building is in a more creative and dramatic view. Its dramatic character is when one side of the building is a theatre cantilevered above Lake Erie; however, a circular performance drum balances it on the other side of the building. At the same time, its symmetric nature is portrayed by the glass tents facing each other across an axis (Horning, 598)

Conclusion

In summary, both buildings are symmetrical because they have shared shapes and angles across a central line referred to as axis. The simplicity in the construction of the Massachusetts State House compared to the complex structure of the Rock and Roll Hall is what appealed to me. Although the construction and designing of both buildings were by renowned architects, the overall layout communicates different messages. The Hall of Fame portrays the message of passion and art while the Massachusetts State House building communicates character and statement. Thus, this concept made me chose the Massachusetts State House over the Hall of Fame building.

Work Cited

Conroy, Thomas E. "" Charmed with the French": Reassessing the Early Career of Charles Bulfinch, Architect." Historical Journal of Massachusetts 34.2 (2006): 104.

HORNING, SUSAN SCHMIDT. "The architects of rock and roll: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland." (2011): 598-605.