Historical Architecture

 

Historical Architecture

 

Castillo De San Marco

St. Augustine, established in 1565, faced numerous challenges in its early years, including poverty and pirate attacks, notably the 1668 raid by English pirates led by Robert Searle. This attack highlighted the need for better defenses, prompting Spanish officials to send reinforcements and funds. Governor Don Manuel de Cendoya initiated the construction of a stronger fort in 1671, but both he and engineer Ignacio Daza died shortly after the project began.

 

Over the next 23 years, various governors dealt with financial issues, disease, and food shortages, delaying the fort's completion, known as the Castillo, until August 1695 under Laureano de Torres y Ayala. The budget increased significantly from its original estimate. Native tribes, including the Guale, Timucua, and Apalache, performed most of the work on the construction, often facing mistreatment and harsh conditions. They were compensated minimally for their labor, and European diseases severely impacted their population. The survivors eventually contributed to the formation of the Seminole tribe, blending their culture with that of the Spanish.

It has very sharp corners that caught my eye.  I also noticed that the walls themselves were very square with one another and that the whole building was composed mostly of squares.

Lightner Museum

In 1885, Flagler began constructing the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, marking the start of his hotel-building efforts. He went on to establish several other luxury hotels in Florida, including the Breakers in Palm Beach and the Royal Palm Hotel in Miami, all supported by his Florida East Coast Railroad.

The Hotel Alcazar, Flagler's second resort in St. Augustine, opened in 1888. Originally meant to be an annex to the Ponce de Leon, it became an independent hotel. Designed by Carrère and Hastings, the Alcazar was one of the first large multi-story concrete buildings in the U.S. Its structure featured ornate terracotta designs, twin towers, and expansive windows. The hotel was divided into three sections: the hotel rooms, baths, and casino. The baths provided a space for relaxation, while the casino offered additional recreational activities such as an indoor pool, ballroom, and bowling alley. The hotel also included croquet lawns and tennis courts for outdoor recreation.  However, as the 20th century unfolded, changing tastes and the economic downturn following the 1929 crash led to a decline in visitors, causing the Alcazar to close as a hotel in 1931.

 My attention was mainly drawn to the long rectangular pillars at the front of the building as well as the patterns of the windows and arches beside them.    

 

Memorial Presbyterian Church

Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine was Florida's first Presbyterian congregation, established in June 1824 by Reverend Dr. William McWhir and fourteen founding members. The church building, completed in 1889 and dedicated in March 1890, was created as a tribute to Henry Flagler's daughter, Jennie Louise, and reflects Flagler's faith and vision. The church is renowned for its architectural style, inspired by St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

 There are many details on this building though I was drawn to the dome at the top, the shape of what might be the main part of the building I also noticed that there are a lot of arches on the building. 

 

 

Ancient City Baptist Church

The Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine was established on January 20, 1887, by 18 Baptists who initially met in an opera house on St. George Street. Created to serve the expanding Baptist community, the church has been an important part of the city's religious life since its inception. Completed on February 2, 1896, it holds the distinction of being the first permanent Baptist church between Jacksonville and Key West. Throughout its history, the church has been vital in providing worship, fellowship, and outreach to the community.

Unlike many others in the area I saw, this building isn't covered in intricate details but rather a lake of such and is made predominately with squares with only around two circular areas on it my main attention was on the windows and how many there were. 

 

My Ideas

Idea #1

Idea #2

Idea #3

Idea #4

First

(These two sculptures are made up of multiple individual models)

"A Close Up"

(H 19.5" W 16.5" D 21")

Made with Bristol paper and clear wood glue with highlights from a Sharpie.

For this sculpture, I wanted to take the most noteworthy shapes from my inspired buildings and completely disassemble them, reimagining their forms more abstractly and expressively. The design is guided by the principle of unity, as the sculpture consists of three very different models that are visually connected through intentional design choices. What unifies these distinct pieces, not only with each other but also with my second sculpture, is the use of black highlights. Specifically, I used black lines made from leftover paper, carefully cut and glued onto the models. These lines act as a common visual thread, helping to tie the separate forms together while also emphasizing their structural features. Despite their differences in shape and style, the repeated use of these black elements creates cohesion and reinforces the overall harmony of the sculpture.

Inspiration for this is the Castillo de San Marco and the ancient city Baptist church.

Castillo De San Marco

St. Augustine, established in 1565, faced numerous challenges in its early years, including poverty and pirate attacks, notably the 1668 raid by English pirates led by Robert Searle. This attack highlighted the need for better defenses, prompting Spanish officials to send reinforcements and funds. Governor Don Manuel de Cendoya initiated the construction of a stronger fort in 1671, but both he and engineer Ignacio Daza died shortly after the project began.

 

Over the next 23 years, various governors dealt with financial issues, disease, and food shortages, delaying the fort's completion, known as the Castillo, until August 1695 under Laureano de Torres y Ayala. The budget increased significantly from its original estimate. Native tribes, including the Guale, Timucua, and Apalache, performed most of the work on the construction, often facing mistreatment and harsh conditions. They were compensated minimally for their labor, and European diseases severely impacted their population. The survivors eventually contributed to the formation of the Seminole tribe, blending their culture with that of the Spanish.

It has very sharp corners that caught my eye.  I also noticed that the walls themselves were very square with one another and that the whole building was composed mostly of squares.

Ancient City Baptist Church

The Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine was established on January 20, 1887, by 18 Baptists who initially met in an opera house on St. George Street. Created to serve the expanding Baptist community, the church has been an important part of the city's religious life since its inception. Completed on February 2, 1896, it holds the distinction of being the first permanent Baptist church between Jacksonville and Key West. Throughout its history, the church has been vital in providing worship, fellowship, and outreach to the community.

Unlike many others in the area I saw, this building isn't covered in intricate details but rather a lake of such and is made predominately with squares with only around two circular areas on it my main attention was on the windows and how many there were. 

Second

"Taller Not Smaller"

()

Made with Bristol paper and clear wood glue with highlights from a Sharpie.

For my second sculpture, I continued to explore the principle of unity, this time through a composition made up of multiple models with one central, taller structure acting as the focal point. The surrounding models are intentionally kept lower in height to avoid competing with the main form, guiding the viewer’s attention upward and reinforcing a clear sense of emphasis. Although the individual forms differ, they are unified through the selective use of black highlights. Unlike the first sculpture, where black paper lines were used throughout, this piece uses stippling—a technique involving repeated dots—to apply black accents more subtly, on the models. This creates both visual connection and textural interest while maintaining variety. The balance of varied scale, restrained detailing, and shared visual language brings cohesion to the sculpture without diminishing the prominence of the central form.

Inspiration for this model is from the Lightner Museum and the Memorial Presbyterian Church.  

Lightner Museum

In 1885, Flagler began constructing the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, marking the start of his hotel-building efforts. He went on to establish several other luxury hotels in Florida, including the Breakers in Palm Beach and the Royal Palm Hotel in Miami, all supported by his Florida East Coast Railroad.

The Hotel Alcazar, Flagler's second resort in St. Augustine, opened in 1888. Originally meant to be an annex to the Ponce de Leon, it became an independent hotel. Designed by Carrère and Hastings, the Alcazar was one of the first large multi-story concrete buildings in the U.S. Its structure featured ornate terracotta designs, twin towers, and expansive windows. The hotel was divided into three sections: the hotel rooms, baths, and casino. The baths provided a space for relaxation, while the casino offered additional recreational activities such as an indoor pool, ballroom, and bowling alley. The hotel also included croquet lawns and tennis courts for outdoor recreation.  However, as the 20th century unfolded, changing tastes and the economic downturn following the 1929 crash led to a decline in visitors, causing the Alcazar to close as a hotel in 1931.

 My attention was mainly drawn to the long rectangular pillars at the front of the building as well as the patterns of the windows and arches beside them.    

 

Memorial Presbyterian Church

Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine was Florida's first Presbyterian congregation, established in June 1824 by Reverend Dr. William McWhir and fourteen founding members. The church building, completed in 1889 and dedicated in March 1890, was created as a tribute to Henry Flagler's daughter, Jennie Louise, and reflects Flagler's faith and vision. The church is renowned for its architectural style, inspired by St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

 There are many details on this building, though I was drawn to the dome at the top, the shape of what might be the main part of the building and I also noticed that there are a lot of arches on the building.