Someone recently said about the design of a modern 1950′s house, “It’s classical.” I looked around and wondered, “Where? I don’t see traditional architecture. I don’t see Greek architecture.” Then I realized that he meant to say, “It’s classic.”
It’s classic like a classic car, a classic film, a classic excuse, or a classic moment. It’s a refined, timeless, and established model.
Classical also defines an established model; however, the model dates to an early tradition, such as the classical music of the 18th and 19th centuries or classical colonial architecture. When one studies humanities and general sciences, which universities have been teaching for over one hundred years, he or she takes a classical curriculum.
Classical continues through the past to define the traditions of Greek and Roman antiquity. For example, a classical scholar studies classical Roman art or classical Greek literature.
I suppose that someday, in a futuristic setting, people will call 1950′s architecture classical because it will be in class of design tradition all its own. It’s not considered traditional yet, though; it’s still modern by today’s standards.
