Imagine architects whispering secrets across brick arches. This is Sever Hall. It stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity.
Sever Hall at Harvard University is more than just a building. It is a designated National Historic Landmark. This status recognizes it as one of H. H. Richardson’s mature masterpieces.
Built between 1878 and 1880, Sever Hall resulted from Anne Sever’s gift. She honored her deceased husband, James Warren Sever. The building was designed to house classrooms. It also features lecture halls and rooms for professors.
Henry Hobson Richardson, a Harvard graduate, designed Sever Hall. His design showcases the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Notice the red brick construction. This is a departure from Richardson’s typical stone buildings. The facade detailing involves cut, carved, and molded brick.
Sever Hall significantly shaped Harvard Yard’s eastern side. It fronts Tercentenary Quadrangle. It also establishes Sever Quadrangle. The building introduces Georgian Revival elements. These include red brick and a pedimented central bay. The classical entranceway connects it to Harvard’s eighteenth-century buildings.
Richardson incorporated his signature elements into Sever Hall. Look for the rounded arches and horizontal window bands. Also, observe the cylindrical towers. Unlike nearby Matthews and Weld Halls, Sever Hall has a quiet, horizontal presence. It is relatively restrained, but not austere.
The construction of Sever Hall involved approximately 1.3 million bricks. Around 100,000 bricks form the exterior facades. These feature 60 varieties of molded red brick. Intricate brick carvings adorn the building. John Evans, later a Society of Arts and Crafts leader, executed the carvings.
Step closer to the west facade entrance. Try the acoustic oddity within the archway. Whisper directly into the bricks. Stand close to one side of the arch. Your whisper can be heard clearly on the other side. The sound travels approximately twelve feet.
Robert Venturi called Sever Hall his favorite building in America. He appreciates its aesthetic tension. He values the vital details.
Sever Hall serves as a general-purpose classroom building. It hosts humanities courses and language courses. Harvard Extension School classes also take place here. Grossman Library, serving Extension School students, was once on the third floor. The fourth floor houses offices for Harvard’s Visual and Environmental Studies department.
Consider Sever Hall’s lasting impact. It is an architectural gem. It blends Romanesque Revival and Georgian elements. Sever Hall continues to inspire. Its beauty resonates with visitors. It also inspires architectural historians. Its legacy endures.