FINAL Historic Pres house types

Post medieval English

Steeply pitched roof
Large chimney with decorative top
Rectangular in shape
Constructed of wood, with shingles in
northern areas, typically two stories (or
more)
Constructed of brick in southern areas,
typically smaller (1-1.5 stories) and with
dormers
Craftsmanship is typically more visible, as
these early houses were created by hand
with more simplistic tools

Dutch Colonial

Frequently constructed with stone or brick.
Typically, one or one and a half story.
Most commonly found in New York state, New Jersey, etc.
Side gabled, gambrel roof, with little to no overhang, or a swooped pitch at the front
end of the roof
Commonly have a double door (dissected in the middle horizontally)
1625-1840

French Colonial

Hipped Roof, or side gabled roof
Skinny tall doors and windows, typically with protective shutters
In the city of New Orleans, wrought iron porches were common
In rural settings, high basements with structural pillars, porches
with columns and dormers were more prevalent.

Spanish Colonial

Pitched roof with side gable. Traditional tera cotta tiled roof OR Flat
roof with a parapet
Masonry construction, thick walls - typically with stucco exterior
Most often one story
Small windows, but with multiple exterior doors
Many have interior courtyards and/or exterior porches
Interior roof often has exposed roof timbers which are structural

Georgian

Rectangular in shape, two rooms deep, usually two stories
Building materials varied by location but typically wood or masonry
Double hung windows, typically 9/9 or 12/12
Cornice typically decorated with dentals
Decorative elements such as quoins and dormers are prevalent (or a belt course in masonry)
Flat columns surrounding doorways
Side gabled or hipped roof
Gambrel roof typical in New England states

Federal

Semi elliptical fanlight over paneled door
Double hung 6/6 windows
Cornice with dentals, dormers, balustrades all typical
Shutters, balconies, and iron handrails
Cupolas
Palladian Windows
Some architects argue Federal style is an embellished version of Georgian
SWAGS!!

Adam Style

18th C style of architectural and interior design
popularized by brothers Robert and James Adam.
Architecture and interiors were designed at the
same time to give a unified feel. Design books with
popular features were created and available for the
public.
Swags, decorative fireplaces and classical scenes,
much ornamentation. Curves and ovals.
Decorative ceilings with tromp l’oeil designs
were popular.
Influenced by archaeological discoveries
occurring at the time. Etruscan, Roman
themes.

Early Classical Revival

Typically two story
Front entry portico supported by
columns (equaling height of structure)
Centered gable
Side gabled or low hipped roof
Front door typically has a fan light
Typically have Roman type columns
More high styles have rounded,
arched or semi-circular windows.

Shotgun House

Gable Front House

Greek Revival

Low pitched gabled or hipped roof
Cornice line of main roof and porch
roofs emphasized with wide trim
band.
Most have porches (entry or full
width), supported by prominent
square or rounded columns (usually
Doric)
Front door surrounded by narrow side
lights

Gothic Revival

steeply pitched roof, usually with steep cross gables
Roof typically side gabled
Wall surface extends in to gable without break or change in materials
Windows extend in to gables with pointed (gothic) arch
One story entry or full length porch with gothic flattened arches
Typically includes decorative verge boards (decorative gable trim)

Italianate

Two or three stories (rarely one)
Low pitched roof with moderate to wide overhanging eaves
Decorative brackets
Tall, narrow windows, typically curved on top (with crowns)
Many have a cupola or tower
Squared corners and shape

Exotic Revival: Egyptian

incorporates Egyptian style columns
on otherwise Greek Revival or
Italianate structures
These columns were inspired by lotus,
palms, papyrus or bundles of sticks.
Inspired by Napoleon’s Egypitian
campaign and a renewed interest in
Egypt.
Few examples of this style remain in
America

Exotic Revival: Asian/Middle Eastern

Only a few dozen remaining examples in America
Includes decorative elements with ogee arches (sometimes with scalloped edges) or the addition of Turkish onion dome.
This style was inspired by increasing exploration and trade in the East in the late 18th and 19th C.

Exotic Revival: Swiss Chalet

Typically, low pitched roofs with wide eave
overhangs
Second story porch or balcony with flat, cut out
balustrades
Patterned stickwork decoration on exterior walls

Octagon Houses

Easily recognizable with the eight-sided shape of exterior walls (some have more sides)
Most are two story with low pitched hipped roofs and wide eave overhangs
Brackets are common
Most contain a first floor porch, surrounding the entire structure
Cupolas are popular
Designed in 1840’s by Orson Fowler, who said that these houses were more energy efficient,
increasing light and ventilation and eliminating “dark and useless corners”.

National Park Service Established

1916

First Regulatory Historic District

1931- Charleston, SC

Timber frame

• Rectangular in
  shape

• Peaked roof

• central chimneys

Saltbox

• side gabled

• two stories

• central chimney

Tidewater South

Sod House

Shotgun

Gable front

Dogtrot

second empire

• centered tower or 

  cupola

• mansard

• one story porch

stick houses

Steeply pitched roof, with one or more front facing roof gables

Gables typically show decorative trusses at apex

Overhanging eaves, usually with exposed rafter ends

Queen Anne

Steeply pitched roof of irregular shape: typically with a dominant front facing gable. 

Patterned shingles, cutaway bay windows and other devices used to

avoid a smooth-walled appearance

Asymmetrical façade with a full width or partial

porch

Shingle

• Multi leveled eaves with small porches

• Contains wall cladding and roofing of continuous wood shingles.

• Shingles may occur on second story only

folk victorian

Most contain porches with turned spindles (spindlework)

Many contain flat jigsaw cut trim 

Asymmetrical façade

folk victorian

Most contain porches with turned spindles (spindlework)

Many contain flat jigsaw cut trim 

Asymmetrical façade

colonial revival

• Rectangular in shape.  

• Many have a side gabled or hipped roof.

• Front door is accentuated (typically with a pediment (decorative crown).

Neoclassical

Balanced windows and centered door, with decorative front door surrounds

Rectangular in shape

Many have decorative cornice work, and or/pediments

tudor

Large chimneys with decorative tops

Arched front entry with small pronounced porch 

Asymmetrical

Chateauesque

Multiple dormer windows

Elaborate moldings and gothic tracings on facade

Steeply pitched roof (typically hipped)

french eclectic

Arch over front door

Typically constructed of stone, brick or stucco masonry 

Either very symmetrical or asymmetrical 

Italian Renaissance

Low pitched hipped roof (or a flat roof)

Wildly overhanging eaves supported by decorative brackets

Larger windows on bottom with smaller less decorative windows on top

mission style

Porch roofs supported by large square piers (typically arched above)

Stucco most common building material

May be symmetrical or asymmetrical

Spanish Revival

Low pitched roof with little or no eave overhang

More rectangular in shape

Wall surface typically stucco

monterey

Broad, dominant second story balcony

Cast iron features popular

Stucco/masonry construction

pueblo revival

Projected wooden roof beams extending through walls

Stucco wall surface, typically earth colored.  

Imitate hand finishes of original Indigenous prototypes

Pairie

• Low pitched roof, typically hipped

with overhanging eaves

• Usually two story with occasional one story wings added

• Details emphasize horizontal lines

Craftman

Decorative braces or beams added under eaves

Porches common either full length or partial. 

Tapered square columns common

Modernistic

Art Deco: ~smooth wall surface, typically of stucco

                  ~chevrons, zig zags and other stylized 

Art Moderne: ~ smooth wall surface, typically of stucco

                           ~flat roof, usually with small ledge

                           ~horizontal grooves or lines in walls

minimal traditional (bankers modern)

Low or intermediate pitched roof, most often gabled

Small in size, typically one or one and a half story, cottage like in appearance

Roof eaves typically have minimal overhang

Ranch

Broad, one story shape

Built low to the ground

Low pitched roof, either side gabled or hipped

Split level

• 2 to 3 levels divided by a short flight of stairs

• rectangular

• Garages may be tucked under a portion of the main house to conserve 

  space

International

Usually white stucco

Typically asymmetrical

Many 90 degree angles and sharp edges

Contemporary

Built with a combination of natural materials (wood, brick, stone)

Asymmetrical and angular

Stilts and support beams/poles present

Shed

Asymmetrical

Roof lines typically multi directional with windows at random locations

Angular

A-frame

New formalism

Ornamental concrete screens

Elongated shapes

Free standing slender columns

Brutalism

Concrete

Materials used in a direct and raw way

Bulky and angular designs

Postmodern

Borrows elements from traditional architectural designs, but with modern materials and additions

Has many different angles, elements, etc.

Not simple

Deconstructivism 

Fragmented elements

Strives to break your traditional concept of architecture and shape

Has a wide set of influences, but no predictability 

Mainstream Modern

Segmental vaults

Slightly askew

Unifying materials

Decoupage 

Organic