Louisiana Architecture: Claiborne Parish Courthouse

Another Report by Velma Clements-Jones March 16

              

                              Louisiana Architecture and Art.....

    Growing up in Louisiana, I have spent my life surrounded by a richness of art and culture, whether I realized it or not. Many homes are designed in the antebellum style which brings to mind romance and fantasy. The antebellum style also has been incorporated into many other buildings across the state, such as the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. The lawn surrounding the square is lush and well-manicured. Each outer wall of the building is adorned with grand staircases leading to the upper level of this two story building. The entire building is surrounded by stout, stark-white columns that extend gracefully from the ground, reaching up to provide support for the roof.
    The Parish Courthouse is often considered the heart of the parish. To signify this, the building was designed to sit in the heart of downtown, the courthouse in the middle surrounded by one-way streets, and the opposite side of the street being lined with quaint shops. The building grounds are elevated above street level and appear to loom over the surrounding businesses. This style seems to accentuate the importance of the building while the design is to protect the building in case of flooding. The grand sweeping staircases, while being distinctly beautiful, are also functional in the event of flooding and emergencies; providing easy access for boats, or sturdy, secure exit routes in emergency. The building is graceful, charming, and stylish and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for the people who work there, or are there to conduct official business. This type of architecture is an imitation of ancient Greek/Roman architecture (Ballinger, 2006). The huge, stout columns are symbolic of power, and a testimony to the fact that our laws have strong roots in Roman law, with Latin remaining the primary language of legal authority (“Roman Power”, n.d.).
     I am not often in the habit of considering a building as a work of art but for the purpose of this assignment I approached the project, not as a building, but as a work of art, to see it with new eyes. I observed the building from all angles, taking notes and pictures, while trying to interpret form and functionality. With that thought in mind, the building seemed to take on a new life. The previous paragraphs described the aesthetic beauty of the building, but you can also make out the details of form and function. The aspects, such as the columns and staircases appear to be beautiful appendages on the building and yet they have function. The form of the building is inviting and charming, and yet proclaims power. This aura of power inspires those who enter to be on their best behavior, evoking reverence and a solemn demeanor.