Echoes of the Italian Renaissance

The Italian Renaissance echoes in Lafayette's historic buildings

        How is the Italian Renaissance related to Lafayette? Would you guess that a much of our old city's architecture is inspired by the Italian renaissance? This Italian Renaissance architecture would come to be known as "Italianate."

        Italianate architecture came into existence in England in the early 19th century. It was inspired by a desire to break from the rigid formalism that dominated 18th and early 19th century English architecture. Italianate was considered flowing, whimsical, and romantic. The architectural styles of the 16th century Italian renaissance (and by extension, the ancient Roman world) were combined with picturesque aesthetics, producing a "Neo-renaissance" style. 

       Italianate was imported to the United States where it found immense popularity between the 1850's and 1880's. This period of time also represents an era of growth and expansion in Lafayette. While many Italianate structures in Lafayette have been demolished through the years, many have survived. Italianate structures still dominate Lafayette's old city.

So you may be asking, "well, what makes a house Italianate?" 

The key features of an Italianate house are

1) Low hipped or flat roof
2) Deep overhanging eaves

3) Rows of decorative brackets, or corbels.

4) 2 or 3 stories, rarely 1 story

5) Tall windows

6) An occasional square cupola or tower

oldhouseweb.com

Italianate originates in renaissance Italy-Photo from Themedicifamily.com

603 North 5^th St. is an excellent example of the Italianate style in Lafayette

               Italianate is not only the dominant architectural style for residential structures in the old city, it is also the dominant style of commercial buildings. Its simple flat roof and heavy cornice made it an attractive alternative to more elaborate styles such as Second Empire while still remaining more attractive than the simpler canal-era styles.

Italianate at 3rd and Columbia

Italianates at 8th and Main

Italianates near 10th and Main

         While there are several examples of vernacular Italianate architecture in the old city, there are also outstanding examples of the style that deserve special attention.

         The Coleman-Stallard & Schuh Building at Columbia and 3rd street is a grand example of the Italianate style. It was designed by Elias Max, the same architect who would go on to design our grand courthouse. No expense was spared when the Coleman-Stallard & Schuh building was constructed in 1872. An extremely ornate and heavy cornice crowns three floors of a rusticated stone facade. The structure has a circular window in the center of the cornice that once framed a clock. The interior is arguably one of the grandest interior commercial spaces in the old city. 

The Coleman-Stallard & Schuh Building

The Coleman-Stallard & Schuh Building Lobby

        The Coleman-Stallard & Schuh Building is protected by a local historic district. This helps to ensure that this building will last for generations. Other Italianate structures in our old city haven't  been as fortunate. In the absence of protective districts, Italianate structures in our old city can be torn down or stripped of their architectural details. A good example of this vulnerability can be seen in the brick Italianate that used to stand at the corner of Columbia and 11th street.

          So next time you pass one of Lafayette's old Italianate beauties, take a moment to thank the Italian renaissance for the inspiration to build these structures, and think about what steps you and our community can take to ensure that these buildings survive for future generations to enjoy. Not every town can hear the echoes of the Italian Renaissance and its old buildings.