American
Architecture
1600-1900s
Colonial
1600-1800s
Many consider the start of American Architecture to be the colonial style. Brought over from England to "The New World", the style features chimneys at the center of the home or on both sides, a gable (triangular roof), flat exterior, and thick (usually white) trimming. This style is mainly seen on the East Coast, more specifically the New England area.
Famous Colonial Homes
- The March House from Little Women
- Homes from The Salem Witch Trials
- The painting Christina's World. by Andrew Wyeth. 1948.
Neoclassical
1780-1860s
When looking at most government buildings in America, especially in D.C., there is a shared style between all of them. Neoclassical style was inspired by the Romans and Greeks, where the meaning "new classic" comes from. From symmetrical floor plans, doric columns, and the classic centered dome roof, this style is a standout in American architecture.
Famous Neoclassical Buildings
- The U.S. Capital Building
- Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
- The White House
"All architecture derives from the basic elements: the column, the entablature, and the pediment." - Marc-Antoine Laugier, French Jesuit Priest
Victorian
1840-1900s
With the railroad, came new materials for building homes. The Victorian style was a direct result of this. New shapes and ornamentation were easier to achieve and afforadable with new means of transporting materials. Victorian style features arches, pointed windows, towers, rounded porches, bay windows, ornamental brackets, and multiple chimneys.
Famous Victorian homes
- The Royal Tenenbaums house
- The home from Psycho
- The Addams Family home
- Almost any scary movie/show
Gilded
1800-1920s
The pinnacle of high-class architecture in America was the Gilded era. The upper class would build lavish homes, specifically in New York City and in Rhode Island. This style was a product of generational wealth, passed down through generations. America's richest families had many famous homes in this style. They are almost always very large homes with an excessive use of gold. There are hints of neoclassical and victorian styles in the use of columns and ornamentation
Famous Gilded homes
- Vanderbilt's Breaker Mansion
- The Palace Hotel in NYC
- The mansion from The Great Gatsby
Frank Loyld Wright
1900-1950s
The most famous architect from America was, and still is, Frank Loyld Wright. He was the pioneer of modern architecture in America. His work stands out as it is designed on a grid and the geometric forms he creates with on it. The style is extremely modern and features many pan windows and usually lots of wood.
Famous works
- The Guggenheim
- Fallingwater House
- Hollyhock House
Mid-Century
1930-1960s
Post-WWII architecture was created from leftover and used materials from the war. This causes the mixture of natural and mechanical materials. There was a strong emphasis on "easy living", so open concept was a main characteristic. Most homes were ranch houses with a strong horizontal feel to the entire design and many components were pulled from Frank Loyld Wright, such as big windows and geometric shapes.
Famous works
- Eames Home
- Case Study House #22
- Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate
