| |
The Age of Victorian Architecture
The reign of Britain’s Queen Victoria lasted from 1837 to 1901. American Victorian architecture that appeared from 1860 to 1900 can then subdivided into several subtypes. The growth of the railroad made these grandiose homes possible. With the dawning of industrialization, lumber, doors, windows, roofing, siding and the decorative trim that defines Victorians could be massed produced and affordably moved to other parts of the country by rail. The era also ushered in a new building technique known as the “balloon frame,” which was composed of lighter lumber held together by nails – the default system still used today. Before balloon framing, constructing a house required building the internal structure from heavy timbers. Victorian influences stem from Medieval house types and bridge the gap between old styles like Georgian and what was to come – the modern styles of Craftsmen and Prairie. Formal, ornate, and meticulously crafted, Victorians have survived and been restored in locations across the country.
Stick
can be identified by the raised trim a.k.a "stick" work.
Second Empire
features the mansard roof. Here's one in our nations capital with its porte-cochere intact. These structures provided shelter while entering and exiting the carriage. We now call them, garages, car ports, or porches.
Folk
Victorians show up as farm dwellings and the shotgun houses in New Orleans. Many feature crossed gables and simple trim.
Gracious
Queen Anne
styles typically welcome visitors to grand scale front porches. This view shows the smaller porch that faces the street. The main porch on this one (far right) looks out onto the water, indicating more traffic from the water than the sidewalk.
Shingle
style can be identified by their exterior cladding and were popular in coastal locations. This one is in Connecticut and maybe a reproduction.
Richardsonian Romanesque
features towers and massive arches over doors and windows. While people generally associate Victorians with wood construction, brick and stone was also used. Say what you will about authentic
Victorian architecture,
ostentatious, romantic, overblown, regal, ornate, or aristocratic - it definitely has a point of view.
|
