#5: Questions and Print Sources

Key Questions-

1.     How much of a say did Austin Hall’s commissioners (i.e. Harvard Law School) have a say in the aesthetic form of the building? In other words, to what extent did function and purpose dictate what Richardson’s designs were?

2.     What was Richardson’s own impression of Austin in the context of his other works? Was he proud of the job he did?

3.     What did the landscape surrounding Austin look like at the time of construction?

4.     Can we find any indication as to why the tower-like feature on the façade of Austin faces away from the rest of what is now the Law School campus?

5.     What were the trends in Richardson’s work that are evident in features of Austin (i.e. what sorts of patterns can we see as epitomized in Austin?)?

Key Sources-

1.     H.H. Richardson: the architect, his peers, and their era

2.     H.H. Richardson’s youth: some unpublished documents.

3.     H.H. Richardson, complete architectural works

4.     Austin Hall after a century

5.     Austin Hall: fund for restoration and preservation

6.     Austin Hall feasibility study the second century

7.     Austin Hall graphic: connecting stairs to tunnel

8.     Graphics and initial plans from Richardson and Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott. At least ten of these exist.