Virginia State Penitentiary
    The Virginia State Penitentiary was the first public building designed by Benjamin Latrobe. It is located in Richmond, Virginia, and is dated to 1797-98. He was commissioned by Thomas Jefferson for the job not only because Jefferson admired his architectural talents, but also because he  favored his liberal ideas concerning prison reform. Latrobe's mastery of function and aesthetics is extremely evident when studying the Penitentiary. The cells were designed to provide solitary confinement for each prisoner and in a circular pattern, thus providing the maximum number of cells for viewing capacity of a guard located in the center of the circle.

    The exterior of the prison boasts a large arch, that has no molded embellishment of any type. The effect is powerful, both for the function of the building as well as the architectural style it promotes. The prison is among the first of the Greek Inspired civic buildings in America.