The Difference Between Classical and Neoclassical Architecture

Classical or Neoclassic?

Read on to find out.

"Neoclassical" architecture has been a buzzword lately due to a recent Executive Order mandating all federal buildings be built in the neoclassical style.

So what exactly is neoclassical style and how does it differ from classical architecture?

The classical period occurred from about 8th century BC to 6th century AD and is often referred to as "antiquity." It was a historical period dominated by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and for this reason, the artifacts and culture were often referred to as "Greco-Roman."

Principles that governed the classical aesthetic were simplicity, symmetry, proportion and scale, line and form, with an emphasis on noble subject matter, which in turn created a feeling of grandeur and harmony.

And in the 18th century, when Pompeii was rediscovered, this ancient city, which had been covered in ash for centuries, sparked a revival of classical design--and the neoclassical era was born. While the neoclassical era began in the 18th century, it actually continues to this day as modern buildings (often official government edifices) are built utilizing the design elements of antiquity such as Corinthian columns, acanthus leaves, egg-and-dart ornamentation, and Greek key motifs. (The design of the Library of Congress is Washington, D.C. is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture.)

What sets neoclassical architecture apart from classical architecture is the time period. In the simplest sense, neoclassical architecture is the "remix" to the original.