Architecture, much like Law, Politics, or Medicine, is one of those applied disciplines residing just outside traditional boundaries of the seven liberal arts. Reflected in Vitruvian catagories of “firmness, commodity, and delight,” architecture is a derivative of geometry yet a curious admixture of technology, craft, and the fine arts of the humanities. Like any other art, Architecture relies on the classical and very Christian premise of imagination and the skill of emulation. This talk will discuss the importance of developing a virtuous imagination in the minds of our students, the tool of emulation, and through historical Architectural examples, demonstrate how a classical education trains future culture-builders to wield their imaginations in service of their role as sub-creators.

Roy Griffith came to Rockbridge Academy, Millersville, MD, in 1997 as the school’s first fifth grade teacher and served continuously in that position for 15 years. After four years as Grammar School Principal, Roy became Headmaster of Rockbridge Academy in late 2015 where he currently serves. Roy and his wife, Donna, have four adult children, all alumni of Rockbridge Academy. Prior to teaching, and more recently during breaks in his schedule, Roy works in the architectural field, having earned a BS in architecture and a Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland. Roy helps run Rockbridge Academy’s Grand Tour program, team teaching the portion of curriculum on architecture for the school’s Grand Tour Seminar.