Virginia Rotunda Curriculum

The layout of the ‘Academical Village’ of the University of Virginia was based on symmetry, which meant that the design of the West and East side of the campus was very similar. From the north, we can see the Rotunda as the focal point of the area. Each floor of the Rotunda serves different purposes; from the top, it serves as a library, lecture hall, as well as science laboratory. To the south of the Rotunda, we can find the lawn, which stretches from the Rotunda to the end of the complex. On the west and east side of the lawn, there are ten pavilions; the west side ones are odd numbered, while the eastern ones are even numbered. These pavilions serve as classrooms, each focused on different subjects, as well as lodging on the top floor for …show more content…
Jefferson was also influenced by William Thornton, who advised Jefferson of having the pavilions set in corners of the lawn. Henry Latrobe influenced the construction of the Rotunda as the focus of the campus. The plans of the University of Virginia campus was likely to be influenced by that of the Chateau of Marley, which was a recreational resident complex near Versailles for Louis XIV. The elements of axiality and symmetry of the chateau are apparent in the Academic Village, with the chateau having matching pavilions on its side, which Thomas Jefferson adopted for the university campus. Furthermore, as the chateau has the royal residence as its focal point the university has the Rotunda, library, as its focal point. Jefferson also adapted the fountain at the chateau to a lawn as the center of the campus. Jefferson adopted the design of the Pantheon in Rome for the Rotunda at the university by having similar façade with a triangular pediment, round body shape, as well as a round roof with an oculus at the