Elements of Classicism

Civic buildings, such as banks, courts and libraries were built with architectural elements that formally expressed strength, purpose, and civic virtue. Thus, many Ontario Carnegie library buildings expressed classic elements, with plans and elevations clearly revealing the theories of symmetry and classical detailing. The majority of these buildings were single story with exposed basements and had centrally located main entrances with classically columned porticos and a symmetrical arrangement of windows. Common elements in all the Carnegie libraries in the Waterloo Region were pediments, columns and pilasters and arches.