Stanford Architectural Timeline
By Paul, Nikiya, Tatiana, Sarah, and Julia
Stanford University attracts many tourists each year, some visiting scholars and others potential students. Of the many attractions, Stanford’s unique architecture captures the interest of visitors the moment they step off the tour bus. Our architecture represents many themes, each building adhering to the styles of the time as well as the economic situation of the times. What results is a campus that represents a mixing pot of styles, while still keeping a theme of tan walls and red roofs that define Stanford architecture.
The Quad (1887-1906)
The main feature on the Stanford Campus is the Quad, home to various departments as well as Memorial Church. With its arches, red-tile roof style, and use of sandstone, the Quad is reminiscent of early Spanish missions, but with details characterized as Richardsonian Romanesque (named after the architect Henry Richardson).
Green Library (1919)
The Green Library was built decades later. However, the sandstone mine in the Palo Alto area began to diminish. The Stanfords were unable to develop an entire library of sandstone due to its growing scarcity. In order to continue with the overall image and coherence of the campus, a sandstone façade was built with sandstone colored brick making up all but the main entrance of the library. The design, and not only the material, of Green Library is distinctive of its age since its multiple arches and ornate human sculptures present a mixture of Art Deco and Beaux Art, the leading architecture style from 1895-1925 .
School of Education (1938)
As sandstone grew even sparser and the effects of the Great Depression began to sink in, the School of Education (Cubberly) had to be constructed with a sandstone painted stucco exterior and a simplistic, stone entrance. This minimalist style reflects the poverty of the era.
Hoover Tower (1941)
The modern architecture of buildings carried over to Hoover Tower—a tall, minimalist bell tower with hints of Art Deco (zigzag designs and four minor towers on the corners).
Clearly, the buildings are illustrative of the architectural timeline during which they were built.
Comments
Such an interesting history--no wonder tourists flock to Stanford! Do you know what is the newest building on campus that tourists come to see?
Posted by: Julia Bleakney | February 3, 2009 02:08 PM
Nice blog!
Were any of the recent buildings at Stanford still built with sandstone?
Posted by: L | February 4, 2009 05:00 PM
Very cool! I like the wide range of buildings on campus that you identified. I've often wondered when a lot of these buildings were built.
Posted by: Chrissy | February 5, 2009 09:20 AM
I remember taking a campus tour during Admit Weekend last spring and they highlighted the "green" building. I think its called The Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building. I'm not sure if this is the newest building, but I know it definitely appeals to Stanford tourists.
Posted by: Mercedes Yee | February 5, 2009 09:21 AM