to become a Jesuit priest, then on to Lyons, Province.
Participated in public education with the Jesuits
Developed interest in architecture and began
discovering buildings on his own.
Spoke publicly to the king and his consorts
regarding religious and political problems
Wrote the Essai. Easy for people to read and understand.
Became “l’Abbe Laugier” by appeal and worked on his own
Worked with embassy and devoted his time to writing
Wrote Essai sur l'architecture (1753) among others including: Observations sur l’architecture, Venetian history, Peace of Belgrade, Art criticism, History of troubadours, Commerce of the Levant, History of Malta, History of the Popes.
Died April 5, 1769 in Paris, France
The Enlightenment (The Age of Reason): 1680s to 1790s
International, intellectual movement likely beginning with the political, economical, moral and religious struggles in Britain and France.
Believed in reason (science and thinking), rather than faith or tradition: The Rationalist movement
The Enlightenment’s Creed: “Sapere aude!” (“Dare to know!)
Enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man’s inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another.” Immanuel Kant, 1784
Laugier wanted a "more rigorous" understanding of architecture and ornament: look for precedents for classical architecture at the absolute roots of history.
He searched for absolute beauty, which in his primitive hut came from nature.
Was rooted in functional or structural basis. (This theory was the basis of the so-called Rationalist movement.)
Little basis in archeology or fact, and tangental basis in historical text
The Primitive Hut
Like Vitruvius, Laugier places the origins of architectural forms in nature: the first dwelling was built in the forest, with branches and trees.
This differs from the previous theories of Vitruvius in one important aspect: the hutis an abstract concept as much as it is a material construction.
The Primitive Hut represents the first architectural idea.
Shows beginnings of an understanding of column, entablature, and pediments. Future architecture is based on these principles.
The column suffers because nature dictates that the heaviest part must always be at the bottom, but the Ionic column is heavy at top
The base is ill-formed and could be eliminated
Offends against the true principles of nature
The Corinthian Order:
The greatest, most majestic order
Beautiful, harmonious composition
Architects should stop using anything by the acanthus leaf which “has by nature the contour and curves which suit the leaves of the Corinthian capital.”
Chapter III: Observations on the Art of Building (Laugier’s Commodity, Firmness and Delight)
Article I: On the Solidity of Buildings
Building must be solid for long life, much like the ancients did
Solidity depends on two things: Choice of material and its efficient use
Article II: On Convenience
The situation (site) must be considered to include views and ventilation
The planning (exterior and interior) must be suitable, comfortable, have good circulation, and always include a courtyard
The internal communications (servants halls, stairways, etc) must be located for quick access
Article III: On How to Observe Bienseance in Buildings
A building must be neither more nor less magnificent than is appropriate to its purpose
“Beauty of buildings depends on three things: accuracy of proportions, elegance of forms, and choice and distribution of ornaments.”
