SOCIAL PURPOSE IN ARCHITECTURE , Paris and London 1760-1800 Helen Rosenau

The period of the late 18th century in Europe is worth study not only for its 

own sake, but also as a turning point in human history. It possesses a special 

fascination at the moment, for many of its problems are still topical. A co 

mparison of Paris and London, the two capitals of the civilized world at that 

time. illuminates their architectural evolution, and shows their mutual 

influence. 

Naturally, such a survey cannot pretend to be comprehensive, but an 

attempt is made to single out the most important trends in the development

of architectural types serving a social purpose. Ornce these types are estab- 

lished it should be possible to study their adaptations and variations. Anglo- 

mania and Anglophobia, as well as Francophilia and Francophobia, 

characterized the late 18th century. These attitudes remain with us today. 

and may make objective assessments difficult. It is usually considered that the 

English approach is pragmatic, whereas the French are more inclined to rely 

on the light of reason. But these assumptions, partially true though they may 

be, underestimate the practical elements in French thought and the idealism 

found in England. 

An enquiry into the history of the two capitals will lead to a discussion of 

their past rather than their present appearance. The socially significant 

buildings are, because of their emphasis on function, particularly liable to 

obsolescence and replacement, and many have been destroyed. Others, 

although planned, were not executed. In contrast, buildings which serve a 

religious or ceremonial purpose may gain in appreciation because of their age, 

and they have often survived. 

The task presented by the study of architecture in its social context is not 

an easy one and the difficulty is aggravated by the multiplicity of aims which 

buildings such as hospitals, prisons and schools had then to fulfil. Further- 

more the material available in Paris and London is formidable, and selection 

is thus a necessity. It is hoped that this will seem neither too arbitrary nor 

too subjective. 

Change was precipitated in France by the advent of Napoleon and in 

England by the upsurge of Romanticism and the Gothic Revival, tendencies 

which challenged the Industrial Revolution. T'he Enlightenment had its pre- 

cursors and lingered on, so it will not always be possible to confine this study 

to the years mentioned in the title. Nevertheless, the period 176o-1800 

constitutes a clearly defined epoch, reaching out into the future. Interest in 

the subject seems to be increasing at present and the following pages are 

intended to contribute to its study. 

It is quite impossible to name here all those who in one way and another 

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