Academical Village, (Charlottesville, Virginia), 1816-Present, Roman Revival.
Thomas Jefferson’s plan for an Academical Village, at the University of Virginia, was his concept of the utopian institution. Jefferson argued that large buildings became ugly and cumbersome, smaller more individual buildings were the most efficient for a small, growing university. Buildings on a large scale were prone to extensive damage in fires, and unhealthy in cases of illness. Smaller buildings could also be added over time, so the original expense to the university is much smaller. He believed that also, smaller buildings could begin to take on individual characteristics which reflect the subjects studied within them. Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, assisted by scientists Pierre-Samuel Du Pont de Nemours and the Marquis de Condorcet designed the replanning of Paris’ main hospital, Hotel Dieu. As friends of Jefferson’s it can be said that this design, comprising of 12 structures and a main Church, had an impact on his design for the Academia Village.The influence behind Jefferson’s A...