The Renaissance was a period of rebirth of classical ideals in both art and architecture. At the forefront of this movement was Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) who was well versed in Vitruvius’ treatise and had spent much time studying and measuring the ancient ruins of Rome.

In this workshop, we study Palladio’s treatise on architecture, The Four Books on Architecture , which includes his own hand-drawn plans, sections, and elevations of his villas and palazzos from the Venato region of Italy.

After a survey of important Renaissance villas and palazzos, we discuss important architectural vocabulary terms and learn to identify them. We concluded with an exercise in building analysis. With trace paper over prints of Palladio’s plans and elevations, students will try their hand at creating diagrams of important architectural concepts like boundary/edge, geometry/structure, orientation, hierarchy, symmetry, proportion, rhythm, and solid/void.