Architectural

Georgian The Georgian style home was popular during the olonial times.

Originally from England, this classical style spread throughout the colonies as people desired more formally designed buildings. They are typically 2-storey buildings made of stone or brick and are symmetrical with multi-pane windows.

Greek Revival The Greek Revival style came after the Geogian and Federal styles, as British influence lessened in the U.S. This style was an expression of their pride with their newly formed nation, as Greece is the birthplace of democracy and it is characterized by white paint, bold details, columns, are front-gabled, elaborate door surrounds, and so on.

Federal

The Federal style home is a refined version of the Georgian style that became popular during the early years of the Federal Republic. The Federal style is identified by double-hung windows, elliptical fan lights, a symmetrical form, brick, rows of windows, and details that are more delicate than those found on their Georgian counterparts.

Italianate The Italianate syle was derived from Italy’s rambling farmhouses and was first used in Egland, before spreading to the U.S., where architects transformed it into a style that has only hints of its Italian origins. Common features include wide projecting cornices with heavy backets and richly ornamented windows, porches, and doorways. There are six basic categories for the Italianate style.

Victorian The Victorian style is heavily influenced by the style common during the Victorian time period in England. Victorian houses can also be conidered ‘gingerbread houses’ due to the gingerbread-like details. It is characterized by bargeboard, stickwork, geometric stained glass, sideboarding, pyramidal turrets, and so on.

Prairie The Prairie style was a direct descendant from the Arts and Crafts style, and focuses towards making the outdoors and the indoors a seamless transition. Common features include low-hipped roofs, a flowing interior space, broad overhanging eaves, strong horizontal lines, and a wide use of natural materials including wood and stone.

Craftsman Arts and Crafts refers to a movement that took place in Europe in the 19th centuThe most common factors to be found in the Craftsman/Arts and Crafts style are those that encourage an informal but cultured lifestyle. These include an open floor plan, natural materials and the tasteful arrangement of a few well-designed and useful objects.

Ranch Ranch style houses are one of the more popular styles currently, as it is ideal for families with its efficient use of space. They are lowslung, casual homes that were popularized in 1950s. They are characteristicallly one storey with a sprawling, asymmetical interor and exterior. Other features include low-pitched roofs, open floor plans, and large window views.

Shed Shed homes are particular favorites of architects in the 1960s and 1970s. They feature multiple single-plane roofs that slope in different directions. Wood shingles or vertical board siding typically covers the exterior, and front doorways are recessed and deemphasized. Windows tend to be a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They have a woodsy and more natural appearance.

A-Frame The A frame house id typically 1-2 storeys, wih the roof extending all the way to the ground to form a steeply pitched ‘A’ shape. The extrior is typically made of wood, with many windows being set in the front and back. This has become a more popular style for cottages, particulary in colder regions as snow slides easily down off the roof.

Geodesic The Goedesic dome is made of interconnected straight bars in triangles to form a sort of dome invented by R. Buckminster Fuller. It is a minimalistic style that allows for a massive interior space.

They are very strong, and are good against snow and wind but are less common for residential porposes. They allow for endless design possibilites.