Victorian Architecture

[1]
(The historic Littlefield House has seen many generations and is still standing in fabulous condition.)


On a beautiful day in the city of Austin, hundreds of students, faculty, and Austinites stroll past the Littlefield House, a historic building on the corner of 24th and Whitis. Previously open to the public for tours, the Littlefield House has since closed its doors, opening only for special occasions and meetings. Now, walking around campus and even the surrounding neighborhoods, it is very unlikely one would find a house similar to this one; “the Littlefield Home is the only remaining example of the grand Victorian mansions that were once numerous in the University neighborhood” (Bump 346).

Having little gothic architecture in the area, it can be difficult for many to appreciate the style and familiarize themselves with it. Ruskin does an excellent job of depicting his appreciation of gothic architecture or the basic, boring architecture of today: “we must no more expect to derive either pleasure or profit from an architecture whose ornaments are of one pattern, and whose pillars are of one proportion, than we should out of a universe in which the clouds are all of one shape and the trees all of one size” (Ruskin 535)

Gothic architecture, more than most styles, is an “expression of energy in the framework of the ornament itself” (Ruskin 535). The designers of the Littlefield House and other gothic style buildings pay great attention to detail and adorn the building with minute decors. The outside of the building is decorated from top to bottom.

Made of red-brown brick and white marble dust along with “polished blue granite columns [that] flank the entrance of both levels of the two-story veranda,” (Bump 346), the Littlefield house is quite a sight to see. Beautiful iron railings surround the top and bottom porch with designs worked into them. [2] (side picture of the beautiful and impressive Littlefield House) The house is shaped with many curves and various angles to the building. The roof is one of the most striking features of the house from the outside. With its steeple and pointed rooftop, as well as windows and delicate designs, the rooftop finished off the Victorian look and adds a sort of elegance to the house.

From the outside, the Littlefield House is most impressive. However, upon entering the house, or at least seeing pictures of the inside of the house), one is once again taken aback but its utmost beauty and intricate detailed designs. [3] The sitting room, (in picture) although the green carpet and wall coloring is not the extremely appealing, is another example of great attention to detail. Look at the fireplace; from the tile that surrounds it to the gothic structures that sit on the mantle, every inch of the structure has been considered and designed carefully.

I identify with Ruskin’s view that “no pleasure is taken anywhere in modern buildings, and we find all men of true feeling delighting to escape out of modern cities into natural scenery” (Ruskin 535). Now, I feel this view is a little exaggerated, but I do at times wish to live the new, modern world we live in for a retreat to the past, to the classic times. Over Christmas break, I visited New Orleans, a place I lived for 9 years, and rediscovered the city.
( This is a home in the French Quarter with typical gothic architecture and iron railings.) I was fascinated by the architecture found there, between the elaborate and highly expensive lofts in the French Quarter, one home to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, to the more moderate yet still fantastically designed homes in the more impoverished areas. Being an area that was greatly influenced by the French, New Orleans is known and will continue to be known for its great architecture.

I would say that Victorian architecture is one of the most beautiful and noteworthy styles around. I am grateful that the University of Texas has taken it upon itself to preserve the Littlefield House and this remnant of Victorian architecture still here on campus.

[1]http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/images/arch/lh/

[2]http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/images/arch/lh/

[3]http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/images/arch/lh/