Victoria Harman > Roman Baths > Neoclassical Style
Although many structures today still use vaulted roofs and concrete like the Roman baths, there are many others that choose to include even more aspects of Roman architecture. As I have studied the evolution of the Roman bath into the modern spa, I have come across many spas that have used the Neoclassical style of architecture. Perhaps the most obvious was The Greenbrier in West Virginia. This building is of similar architectural style to The White House, complete with columns a pediment, reminiscent of Greco-Roman buildings. So, not only do these buildings serve the same functions as the Roman baths, but also a bit of the same form. It should also be noted that many of these spas have Neoclassical art such as modern copies of Greco-Roman sculptures and mosaics. It seems that the beauty of antiquity and classical culture will always be considered high art by the elite. Basically, it goes along with the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". There seems to be no need to adapt a new architectural style when this one is so stunning, for artists and engineers alike.
Fig. 1 The Greenbrier
Image courtesy of: http://www.greenbrier.com
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