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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Hidden Plainfield: The Power of Quarticos. Quarticos?


Home A.
 
Today's Hidden Plainfield features a series of four homes -- one in each Ward -- with porticos across the entire front of the home that make commanding presences in their streetscapes.

Quartico is of course my silly made-up word. The correct term is 'tetrastyle' (in Greek, four-columned) portico, favored by Greeks and Etruscans for small buildings, and by the Romans for pseudoperipteral and amphiprostyle temples.

 

Home B.
 

Home C.
 

Home D.
 
The form of tetrastyle portico in these four homes was of particular interest to architects designing 1920s and 30s homes. There are also examples from pattern books and others in Plainfield that are thought to possible be Sears homes.

Perhaps the most familiar tetrastyle portico in the United States is the North Portico of the White House, which covers the entry drive and official entrance to the residence of the American presidents.




The White House may have America's most recognizable tetrastyle portico.

Do you know where these homes are?

Answer tomorrow.



  • Hidden Plainfield:  "The Power of Quarticos" -- All comments and guesses have been posted.
  • Wikipedia: "Portico"
-- Dan Damon [follow]

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1 comments:

Maria Pellum, Plainfield Resident said...

Hi Dan,

House "A" is probably on Myrtle Avenue? I know it not so much because of the house but because of the front garden, if it is the same, then summer is the time to stop by, the owners have the most fragant peonies my nose has ever detected! Love the house, it is really a very American style. Regards!