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Original Blueprints from 1924
Architecture of 160 Main Street
The architect that the Madison Board of Education hired was James Oscar Betelle. He headed the firm Guilbert & Betelle which was responsible for creating many public schools and government buildings in New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. Betelle favored the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture that was popular at the turn of the century. He also designed buildings utilizing Federal, Georgian, and Art Deco styles.
The Madison High School building (which became the Madison Junior High School) was designed incorporating Georgian style architecture that was common in England (1715-1830). This style of architecture was inspired by the designs of Greek and Roman civilizations, which are characterized by symmetry, proportion, and classical details.
When looking at our building you can see the following elements in the design:
Symmetry - Georgian buildings typically exhibit a high degree of symmetry. The facades are
often balanced, with a central entrance and windows on either side mirroring each other.
Proportion: Proportional balance is a key element of Georgian design. This includes the well-balanced window and door placement, as well as the use of mathematical ratios to create aesthetically pleasing proportions.
Centralized Entrances: Grand entrances are a notable feature of Georgian buildings. Doorways are often highlighted with decorative elements such as pediments or porticos supported by columns.
Sash Windows: The use of sash windows, which slide vertically or horizontally, is a
characteristic feature of Georgian architecture. These windows often have multiple panes
arranged in a grid pattern.
(Image Madison Eagle, February 2, 2023)
Classical Elements: Georgian architecture incorporates classical elements such as columns. Greek and Roman architectural features, such as Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian columns, are commonly used.
When looking at the school building, the first thing the eye is drawn to is the five Doric columns, which are known for being simple and strong. They are sturdy, straight pillars without fancy ornate designs but are both practical and strong. At the very top of the columns in the front of the school, there is a flat, plain, and strong-looking square part, which is called the capital. The columns sit directly on the top sept without a separate base as if they go straight down into the ground to hold up the school building. A similar style can be seen when looking at the Parthenon in Athens which also features Doric columns.
Consider pictures of ancient Greek buildings. People in ancient Greece, a really long time ago, liked to use Doric columns in their buildings. You might have seen pictures of big, important places like the Parthenon in Athens or the Temple of Hephaestus which both utilized Doric columns in their design.
When walking into the beautiful auditorium, your eyes might be drawn to Ionic columns on your right and left. At the top of each column, there is a scroll-like ornament that is called a volute. The base, also known as the capital, features a decorative design that isn’t found on the Doric-style columns.
(Flickr, 2011)
Sources
Betelle, J. O. (1932, May). The Trend in School Building Design. Architecture, 65(5), 249-310, 21-36.
(Betelle, 1932, 5)
Flickr. (2011, June 14). Architectural Orders: Ionic order: detail | Title: Architect…. Flickr. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/psulibscollections/5833097091
McLaughlin, Katherine, and Elizabeth Stamp. “Greek Architecture: Everything You Need to Know.” Architectural Digest, 14 June 2023, https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/greek-architecture-101. Accessed 5 March 2024.
Spott, Elizabeth K. (2009) "It's All Greek to Me: Classical Influences on Georgian and Federal Architectural Styles in the American Colonies," Field Notes: A Journal of Collegiate Anthropology: Vol. 1 , Article 12. Available at: https://dc.uwm.edu/fieldnotes/vol1/iss1/12.
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