Lego the white house - 21006 Manuel D'Instructions
President Washington sought out Hoban, conferred with
him, and quickly selected the architect’s proposed de-
sign for the President’s House in July 1792.
him, and quickly selected the architect’s proposed de-
sign for the President’s House in July 1792.
Thomas Jeff erson, himself of Irish descent, must
have gained particular pleasure as the second occupant
of the White House in Washington, which was doubtless
inspired by Irish Palladianism. Both Castle Coole and
Leinster House in Dublin claim to have inspired James Hoban.
The Palladianism of the White House is interesting as it
is almost an early form of neoclassicism, especially the
South facade, which closely resembles James Wyatt’s
South facade, which closely resembles James Wyatt’s
design for Castle Coole of 1790, also in Ireland. Ironically,
the North facade lacks one of the fl oors from Leinster
House, while the Southern facade is given one fl oor more
than Castle Coole, and has an external staircase more in
the Palladian manner.
House, while the Southern facade is given one fl oor more
than Castle Coole, and has an external staircase more in
the Palladian manner.
Time, and occupants, have altered the White
House in many ways. However, the White House image
is Hoban’s entirely. It is a handsome residence,
is Hoban’s entirely. It is a handsome residence,
embellished with unquestionably the fi nest architectural
stone carving produced in America at that time. And when
stone carving produced in America at that time. And when
Hoban rebuilt it, following the fi re in 1814, he was ordered
to make it as it had been, which he did, perpetuating the
image and his own claim to a place in history.
to make it as it had been, which he did, perpetuating the
image and his own claim to a place in history.
Hoban died on December 8, 1831. He is buried at
Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
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