@inproceedings{7093681,
  abstract     = {{Constructed between 1819 and 1826 by Ghent city architect, Louis Roelandt (1786-1864), the Ghent Aula Academica was immediately recognised as an example of tasteful, neoclassical architecture. The university complex was quickly included in the canon of Belgian nineteenth-century architectural historiography, and has since been thoroughly documented in historical literature. However, from an architectural perspective, the focus has been primarily on describing the lavish interior of the complex and tracing sources of inspiration for its architectural compositions and decoration. The Aula has mostly been interpreted as a purely aesthetic composition, of which the scale and decoration had the sole purpose of producing an overwhelming visual effect on the visitor.  This focus on morphology has not only prevented an analysis based on conceptual notions, but the mere existence of such a conceptual basis was even firmly denied by, for example, Geert Bekaert. 

This paper proposes an allegorical reading of the Aula based on original intentions rather than on the built result. The focus is on the use of ornament and how it relates to the architectural framing. It is argued that the design is structured around an allegory of wisdom and additional lines of ornament running throughout the complex. It is further stated that the resulting architectural compositions not only explicate the program of the building to the visitor, they also
inscribe the building in a national discourse and give shape to a rite of passage for university students.}},
  author       = {{Cierkens, Pieter-Jan}},
  booktitle    = {{Joint Doctoral Seminar 28 : Theory and History of Architecture, Abstracts}},
  keywords     = {{Louis Roelandt,19th-century architecture,architectural history,Aula Academica,Ghent university}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  location     = {{UCL, Brussels}},
  title        = {{Announcing the university: the use of ornament in the Ghent Aula Academica}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}