Architectural Styles: Colonial to Second Empire

• The following are common architectural styles with their differentiating features:

Colonial

• Two to three stories.
• Features a symmetrical, boxy shape.
• Medium-steep pitched roof, either hipped or gabled.
• Emphasis on the front door with decorative entablature.
• Transoms, pilasters, fanlights, sidelights, and shutters are common.

Gothic Revival

• Steeply pitched roof is a key feature, often cross-gabled.
• Gingerbread trim is a defining characteristic.
• Includes a full-width porch with pointed arches.
• Gothic windows extend into gables.

Italianate

• Two to three stories.
• Low-pitched roof, often with a cupola or tower.
• Tall, narrow, arched windows are typical.
• Features an elaborate entablature on windows.
• Wide eaves with decorative brackets.

Swiss Chalet

• Low-pitched, front-gabled roof with wide eaves.
• Gingerbread trim is a common feature.
• Includes a second-floor porch or balcony with cut-out balustrade or trim.

Octagon

• Eight-sided shape.
• Two or more stories.
• Low-pitched, hipped roof.
• Cupola is common.
• Brackets are common.

Second Empire

• Mansard roof with dormers.
• Decorative cornices.
• Decorative brackets under the eaves.

Stick

• Features "stickwork" detailing.
• Steeply pitched, gabled roof with cross gables.
• Decorative trusses.
• Overhanging eaves with exposed rafters.
• Wooden wall cladding.

Queen Anne

• Steeply pitched, irregularly shaped roof with a dominant front-facing gable.
• Patterned shingles.
• Asymmetrical design.
• Partial or full-width porch.

Shingle

• Shingled walls.
• Irregular roof shape, steep pitch with cross gables.
• Multi-level eaves.
• Asymmetrical design, usually with an extensive porch.

Romanesque

• Asymmetrical design.
• Towers with conical roofs.
• Round arches over windows and entrance.
• Masonry walls, usually with rough-faced, squared stonework.

Tudor

• Steeply pitched, usually cross-gabled roof.
• Tall, narrow windows in multiple groups, sometimes with diamond-shaped panes.
• Massive chimneys.
• Half-timbering.

Chateauesque

• Steeply pitched, hipped roof.
• Vertical projections such as pinnacles, gables, turrets, and chimneys.
• Multiple dormers.
• Masonry walls.

Beaux-Arts

• Symmetrical façade.
• Masonry walls with light-colored stone.
• Decorated with quoins, pilasters, garlands, rosettes, and columns (usually Ionic or Corinthian).

French Eclectic

• Steeply pitched, hipped roof with flared eaves.
• Brick, stone, stucco, or sometimes half-timbering.
• Flared eaves .

Monterey

• Two stories.
• Second story balcony, usually covered by the roof.
• Low-pitched, gabled roof.

Pueblo Revival

• Flat roof with parapet.
• Walls and roof have rounded edges.
• Earth-colored, adobe wall surfaces.
• False beams.

Prairie

• Two stories with one-story porches.
• Massive, square porch supports.
• Emphasis on horizontal lines.
• Low-pitched roof with wide eaves.

Craftsman

• Low-pitched, gabled roof with wide eaves.
• Exposed rafters.
• Brackets under the gables.
• Covered porches.
• Piers.

International

• Flat roof without a ledge.
• Minimal decorative detailing.
• Smooth, unornamented walls.
• Metal window casements.
• Asymmetrical design.

Minimal Traditional

• Lack of decorative detailing.
• Low-moderate pitched roof.
• Little or no eaves.
• Large chimneys.
• At least one front-facing gable.
• Brick and stone are common.
• Relatively small, usually one story.

Ranch

• Attached garages.
• Asymmetrical design.
• One story.
• Low-pitched roof.
• Moderate to wide eaves.
• Wooden or brick exterior.
• Iron or wooden porch supports.
• Decorative shutters are common.
• Picture windows and ribbons are common.

Split Level

• Horizontal lines.
• Low-pitched roof.
• Overhanging eaves.
• Wide variety of wall coverings.
• Some decorative detailing.
• One floor is halfway between the other two floors.

Contemporary

• Flat or gabled roof.
• Very wide eaves.
• Exposed beams.
• Large windows.
• Open spaces.
• A variety of wall covering.
• Asymmetrical design.
• Clean lines.

Shed

• Multi-directional shed roofs.
• Colliding geometric shapes.
• Wood shingles or brick.
• Little or no overhang.
• Entrance is recessed and obscured.
• Windows are small and asymmetrically placed.
• Bold diagonals.

Mediterranean

• Spanish tile roofs.
• Low-pitched, hipped roof.
• Wide eaves.
• Stucco walls.
• Arched windows and doors.
• Smaller, less elaborate upper-story windows.

Quonset Hut

• Half-cylindrical frame often covered by metal.

A-Frame

• Characteristic A-shape.
• Gabled roof continues to ground level.
• Often used as vacation homes.

Geodesic Dome

• Rigid frame.
• Paneled.
• Characteristic dome shape.

Explore diverse architectural styles like Colonial, Gothic Revival, and Italianate. Learn the differentiating features of each style, including roof pitch, window design, and decorative elements. This analysis covers key aspects of architectural design.