Monumentality and the struggle for collective expression in the twentieth century (Virginia)

• Main Author: McBeath, William Henninger, Jr
• Other Authors: Pope, Albert
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Architecture
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1911/13762

Since institutions have existed they have yearned to express themselves. Throughout history collective bodies have sought for architecture to help define their mission and participate in the life of their institutions. Society continues to value architecture that can rise above function and communicate the commitment and aspirations of a specific institution at various levels. Yet in this century when the demand for collective expression has intensified, the traditional means by which such expression has been achieved in architecture has come under attack. Monumentality has been devalued and some would discard it. Collective expressions for institutions are possible and needed. This thesis takes a critical look at monumentality in this century and then attempts to achieve collective expression without traditional methods of appropriation. The vehicle for this exploration is a seminary for the Alliance of Baptists on the campus of the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.