Perrault's Colonnade divided into five parts, is a typical solution of French classicism. The simple character of the ground floor basement sets off the paired Corinthian columns, modeled strictly according to Vitruvius, against a shadowed void, with pavilions at the ends. This idea of coupled columns on a high podium goes back as far as Bramante. Those rhythmical columns form a shadowed colonnade with a central pedimented triumphal arch entrance raised on a high, rather defensive base. Crowned by an uncompromising Italian balustrade along its distinctly non-French flat roof, the whole ensemble represents a ground-breaking departure in French architecture. Perrault (1613–1688) won
Society of Architectural Historians of Architectural Historians". The name was shortened to its current form a decade later. SAH is currently the largest academic organization in the field of architectural history in the US. As part of its mission to "advance knowledge and understanding of the history of architecture, design, landscape, and urbanism worldwide", the Society publishes several works, most noticeably the "Buildings of the United States" series, as well as a newsletter and the "Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians" (). In addition, in association with the University of Virginia, the Society is developing an online encyclopedia of architecture called SAH Archipedia.