University of Virginia Library

Alternative Design

General John Hartwell Cocke of Bremo, Jefferson's partner on the committee of
superintendence, did freely express his impressions about the proposed design, after waiting
long enough for Cabell's letter to arrive at Monticello, which it did on 1 May. Like Cabell,
Cocke recognized the futility of trying to alter the design of the pavilions and dormitories
upon the "upper level" of the square.[273] "The beauty & convenience of this part of the plan
more than counterbalances some objections which present themselves to my mind," Cocke
conceded to Jefferson. Indeed, he thought, no change for the better could be enacted unless
the "low pitched roofs concealed by a railing (upon the plan I once suggested) shou'd be
found to be better & more œconomical coverings & to render the rooms more comfortable
by keeping the Sun at a greater distance from the ceilings." Cocke enclosed his own
architectural scheme for the back streets for Jefferson's perusal, insinuating that his plan
might be less expensive and allow for a "more retired situation" of the student apartments,
their "less exposes to the influence of the Sun, may recommend it for adoption—
notwithstanding the sacrifice it demands in Architectural beauty."[274] It combined a hotel
and sixteen dormitories under one roof, at once eliminating the difficulty of flat roofs and
providing more space for gardens, still considered too small by all the visitors. In typical
Jefferson fashion, Cocke even calculated the number of requiste bricks for his building
—239,700—as compared to 389,100 for Jefferson's individual dormitory rooms. "I am
aware," Cocke concluded, "that the elevation of the plan now suggested, the appearance of
the Chimneys and the roof will be offensive to your cultivated taste but perhaps you may
think of some stile of finishing with parapet walls at the ends & balustrades between the
Chimneys (as are awkwardly represented in the sketch) that will so far cover its deformity
as to render it admissible upon the score of œconomy & comfort."[275]

Cocke's plan, predictably, failed in its desired effect upon the rector. Jefferson could not
concede to Cocke's proposal to "unite the hotels and dormitories in massive buildings of 2.
or 3. stories high," thus wrecking his architectural unity. However, Cocke's letter, following
so closely on Cabell's earnest plea, did cause Jefferson to recognize the seriousness of the
visitors' opposition to his design as it now stood. And when Jefferson and Cocke met at the
construction site on 12 May to discuss the matter, accompanied by Alexander Garrett, the
committee of superintendence, in the bursar's words, ended their meeting by having to
"decline building the hotel as first contemplated and in lieu thereof build pavilions, and
Dormatories, on the opposite side of the lawn, that is to say directly opposite those already
built, this arose from the difference of opinion between them relative to the plan of the
hotel."[276] At their parting the two men wisely decided to "reserve the question" about
altering the plan of the hotels and domitories for the visitors at their next meeting.[277]