Australian residential architectural styles
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Australian residential architectural styles can generally be categorised as follows. There are overlaps between periods:
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[edit] Pre-Colonial Period 30,000 BCE - 1788 CE
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Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
The indigenous people of Australia are traditionally largely nomadic, ranging over an area, depending on the availability of particular foodstuffs that could be gathered at different times of the year. They managed the land through which they travelled by biennial burning-off which stunted the growth of forests and encourage grassland from which seed crops and kangaroos could be harvested.
The housing of the people first encountered by Europeans in the Sydney region was simple, shelters constructed of a semi-circle of stick, covered with large sheets of bark which could be conveniently stripped off melaleucca trees which grew profusely along waterways. Other types of simple structures were seen including lean-tos and in tropical regions raised sleeping platforms. Grass, leaves and reeds were used as a thatch where suitable bark was not available. [citation needed]
In the 1840s, the Victorian Protector of Aborigines, George Augustus Robertson described dry-stone dwellings in which the aboriginal people of Western Victoria lived in family groups or villages. His drawings passed into the Mitchell Library where they have been virtually ignored for 140 years by White Australians who have maintained the mistaken impression that all indigenous people were nomadic hunters and gatherers, that they did not manage the land that sustained them and that there were certainly nothing that one could describe as a permanent settlement. In fact, the stone dwellings of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people were known to the White settlers, but the knowledge was largely ignored, along with the brutal suppression and murder of Tasmania’s people. [1]
The Aboriginal people also built dry-stone Fish Traps, of which the most extensive, ranging over 500 metres, is on the Barwon River at Brewarrina. Its age is unknown. It has been maintained and rebuilt after floods many times and is said traditionally to have been given to the local tribes by the Creator Spirit.
It appears that in conjunction with such catchment schemes, there may have also been nearby sedentary settlements of people who maintained them.[citation needed] There is evidence at Lake Condah in Victoria of houses in conjunction with eel traps dating back about 8,000 years.[citation needed]
In January 2006, bushfires uncovered another nearby site of a village of stone houses that are large enough to have provided sleeping space for several families. [2]
[edit] Old Colonial Period 1788 - c. 1840
The first buildings of the British penal settlement in Sydney were a prefabricated house for the Governor and a similarly prefabricated Government Store to house the colony's supplies. Sydney was a tent settlement. Building anything more substantial was made unnecessarily difficult by the poor quality of spades and axes that had been provided and the shortage of nails. The convicts were able to adapt simple country techniques commonly used for animal shelters and the locally-available materials to create huts with wattle and daub walls. So useful were the local accacia trees for weaving shelters that they were given the name Wattle. Two roofing materials were available- there were extensive reed beds near the Cook's river for thatching and bark which could be peeled off a number of the indigenous trees in large sheets. Methods of heating and flattening the bark were used by the Aboriginal people. The resilient bark from the Iron-bark tree was adapted as a major building material everywhere that such trees grew. It was widely used as a roofing material, was weatherproof, insulating and could last for thirty years. Houses of axe-hewn slabs with Iron-bark roofs continued to be built in rural Australia until WWII.
At the time of the first settlement, Georgian architecture was the architectural vernacular in Britain. Craftsmen, including carpenters and plasterers were trained in the classic proportions associated with the Palladian style fashionable across Europe.
The early 18th century Colonial architecture in Australia was at first heavily influenced (as was architecture in Europe) by the Palladian revival ideals, later as elsewhere this was influenced by the neoclassical movement which began in Europe circa 1760, and slowly spread across what was regarded as the "civilized" world until it eventually reached Australia. Neoclassicism incorporated not only Greek influences but also Ancient Egyptian motifs.
The buildings erected in the first 50 years of Australian settlement were simple and plain. Convict huts, marine barracks, government stores and houses for officials were simple rectangular prisms covered with hipped or gabled roofs. Local wood was hard and difficult to work. Wattle and daub was formed from thin saplings and mud. Some pipe clay was obtained from the coves around Port Jackson. Bricks were fired in wood fires and were therefore soft. Lime for cement was obtained by burning oyster shells.
Colonial is the name given to some of the earliest types of housing to be built on the then, newly discovered Australian soil. Local materials were used as nothing but corrugated iron was imported from overseas and even this iron was not intentionally bought to Australia for use as a building material. Logs, tree branches and wattle and daub were used for the walls. Mud brick or stone were also used. Windows were usually small panes of glass. The layout was symmetrical, and very simple, usually containing only 2 to 4 rooms, however, the Colonial style later incorporated detached fireplaces, a central hallway, and verandahs to 3 sides of the building.
As squatters did not have title to their land, potentially moving on after two years, they tended to build only bark huts. Hence, little survives into the twenty first century of rural residential architecture.
As the Australian economy developed and settlements became more established, more sophisticated buildings emerged.
In Victoria, the port towns of Portland and Port Fairy retain some excellent examples of colonail architecture, whilst the river town of Warrandyte once contained some of the best examples of the style, however, the majority if not all of these surviving buildings have been destroyed by bush fires that have plagued the town for over a century.
Regency, Grecian and Gothic Picturesque were the names of other styles from this period.
 Panshanger, near Longford Tasmania; Old Colonial Regency style |
 Earlsbrae Hall. R A Lawson designed this neoclassical temple-style mansion with Frederick Grey in 1890. |
 Rockwall House, designed by John Verge, in Potts Point, New South Wales; Old Colonial Regency style |
[edit] Victorian Period c. 1840 - c. 1890
[edit] Gothic Revival
1840 - 1880
The British Empire which at that time ruled Australia, was heavily influenced by the Anglican religion, which in turn was influenced by the 19th century teachings of the Oxford and Cambridge Movements which believed Gothic architecture to be the purest, truest form, and according to them, only way to achieve spiritual communication with God through architecture. Thus while a local magnate may have built his home in a classical style, he would fund a church in the Gothic style, thus during the 19th century, when Australia was expanding rapidly two forms of architecture were very evident - Gothic and the classically influenced styles. Originally Gothic was for God, and the classical for the man. Later a new "self made" Australian began to emerge, unhindered by a classical British education - dictating classical gentlemanly interests. This "new" self made man (like is contemporaries in England and America) would often choose Gothic as the design for his home.
The great Cathedrals of the Middle Ages during the Gothic Period of ecclesiastical architecture formed the inspiration for this particular Architectural style. Not only in residential buildings, but in many commercial structures and, Churches and Cathedrals built during this time. St. Paul's and St. Patrick's Cathedrals in Melbourne, Australia are excellent examples of the Gothic Revival Period. Often referred to as Victorian Gothic, deriving from the Victorian style Architectural name from a similar time period. Steeply pitched roofs often made of slate, Narrow doors and windows resolving in a classical Gothic pointed arch at their height,(known as lancet windows) diamond pane glazing to windows imitating a stained glass affect and intricate parapets, often of a religious nature bearing a cross resembling that of those atop Cathedrals and Churches. In non-terrace houses the drawing room was often pulled forward adding a bay window to the front of the dwelling.
[edit] Early, Mid and Late Victorian
1845 - 1900 The Victorian Style in Australia can be divided into 3 periods to break up the whole; Early, Mid and Late. The period in its entirety stretches from 1837 to 1901 and was named after the then Queen of England, Queen Victoria. Early styles featured symmetrical layouts and façades, a centrally located front door and a hipped roof of corrugated iron, leading to a veranda on the façade. During the 1850s cast iron lacework came to Australia where it made its way on to Mid and Late Victorian Homes. With much the same floor plan as the Colonial Style, a central hallway with a standard 4 rooms. Weatherboards was used, however, larger homes had red brick and blue stone incorporated. Into the Mid Victorian Style the decoration began to gain popularity. The bull nosed Veranda roof was introduced, sidelights were added either side of the front door and terraced houses were springing up everywhere, containing parapets and detailed dividing walls between the property boundaries. Late Victorian Style homes had perhaps the most decorative features in all of the known Architectural styles to date, and it is often referred to as Boom Style. Towards the end of the Victorian era timber fretwork was being used more and more, which led into the Edwardian Style.
From the 1840s, a specific style of building emerged in Queensland. The Queenslander style of houses are identifiable by large verandahs and large double doors which open onto these verandahs, stilts rising the house above ground level (particularly in older houses), metal roofs typically of corrugated design and the houses are always constructed of mostly wood.
Other names given for styles during this period have been Georgian, Regency, Egyptian, Academic Classical, Free Classical, Filligree, Mannerist, Second Empire, Italianate, Romanesque, Academic Gothic, Free Gothic, Tudor, Rustic Gothic and Carpenter Gothic.
[edit] Georgian
[edit] Regency
 Rochester Terrace, St Vincent Gardens. One of Australia's finest Regency style terrace homes |
[edit] Egyptian
[edit] Academic Classical
[edit] Free Classical
[edit] Filligree
 Holcombe Terrace. One of Australia's best examples of the residential filligree style executed in polychrome brick. Carlton, Victoria |
[edit] Mannerist
 St Valentine's Mansion, Caulfield Grammar School. Malvern, Victoria. Completed 1890. |
 Lalor House. Richmond, Victoria. |
[edit] Second Empire
 Second Empire styled mansion in South Yarra, Victoria |
[edit] Italianate
 Bishopscourt. East Melbourne, Victoria. Completed in 1953. |
 Government House, Melbourne. Completed 1871. Australia's finest Italianate residence |
[edit] Romanesque
[edit] Academic Gothic
[edit] Free Gothic
[edit] Tudor
[edit] Rustic Gothic
 13 & 15 James Street, Richmond, Victoria. Completed 1857. |
 Glenfern, East St Kilda. Completed 1857. |
 157 Hotham Street, East Melbourne, Victoria. Completed 1861. |
[edit] Carpenter Gothic
[edit] Queenslander
 A Queenslander in New Farm, Queensland |
[edit] Federation period c. 1890 - c. 1915
The principle styles of this period are: Queen Anne, Federation and Edwardian. Queen Anne can sometimes refer to houses loosely in the style of the arts and crafts movement, however, in Australian Architecture, it can also refer to some of the more elaborate Edwardian and Federation styles. Edwardian was named after King Edward (1901 - 1910) at the time, and the term Federation coincided with Australia becoming a nation of its own in 1901. The Federation house differed from the Edwardian in the use of Australian motifs, like Kangaroos, the Rising Sun (of Federation), and Emus. The names all indicated very similar styles with features so minute separating them. Cream painted decorative timber features, tall chimneys and fretwork. Federation depicted a Tudor type look, especially on gables, and Edwardian gave a simpler cottage look.
Other names given for styles during this period have been Academic Classical, Free Classical, Filligree, Anglo-Dutch, Romanesque, Gothic, Carpenter Gothic, Warehouse, Queen Anne, Free Style and Arts and Crafts
 Federation freestyle mansion in South Yarra, Victoria |
 Landmark Edwardian home in Albert Park, Victoria |
 A Queen Anne style residence in Ivanhoe, Victoria |
 Edwardian house, Heidelberg, Victoria |
[edit] Inter-War Period c. 1915 - c. 1940
Styles which existed during the 1915-40 period include Georgian Revival, Academic Classical, Free Classical, Mediterranean, Spanish Mission, Art-Deco, Skyscraper Gothic, Romanesque, Gothic and Old English.
[edit] Californian Bungalow
1915 - 1940 This style can almost instantly be recognised by the columns holding up a front veranda area. The name is almost self explanatory, bungalow, a country rugged type of home, and this led to the belief that picket fences looked their place as the front fence, however originally, they were never used. Darker colours were originally used however, as the years went by, new brighter paint served as a welcoming change to open up the spaces and brighten up the homes. Stone, brick and timber, earthy materials were used. A gable roof faced either the front or side always.
[edit] Ashgrovian
1930 onwards - Originally specific to Queensland, the Ashgrovian style developed from the hipped bungalow style and was characterised by a frontage with a grand gable roof, often surrounded by secondary smaller gables behind, the smaller gables usually sheltering verandahs and sleep-outs. A staircase almost always dominated the front yard leading to the verandah.
 Californian Bungalow, Preston, Victoria |
[edit] Spanish Mission
1925 - 1939 Distinctly recognised by twisted pylons to a porch area covering the front door, usually windows grouped in threes to the side of the front door area on simpler homes. The style was influenced by the American Spanish inhabitant influenced American Architectural styles. Walls were brick in accordance with council regulations at the time, with white or cream yellowish cream stucco finish, and Spanish terra cotta tiles.
 Spanish Mission styled home in Heidelberg, Victoria |
 Belvedere Flats. St Kilda, Victoria; completed in 1929; Spanish Mission style reminiscent of Californian style apartments |
[edit] Early Modern
1930 - 1940 A very modern looking style at the time, inspired by a German movement known as Bauhaus, representing functional and clinical architecture. Red or cream brick walls and concrete was also first seen. Steel-framed casement sashes, with larger panes of glass and terra cotta tiled roofs with a moderate pitch. The only featured part of the house included matching decorative front fences, and a featured roof affect.
The Streamline Moderne style was a late branch of the Art Deco style. The style emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements, such as railings and porthole windows. This style was adopted into suburban architecture, most notably in the Waterfall style.
 Burnham Beeches mansion in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne, completed 1933 in the Streamline Moderne style. The architect was Harry Norris. |
[edit] *Post-War Period c. 1940 - 1960
[edit] Austerity
The Austerity style reflects the lack of availability of building materials and labour in the years following World War II
[edit] Waterfall (Art Deco)
1940 - 1950
Fashionable modern houses of the thirties in the Streamline Moderne style were sometimes described as being like ocean liners, with walls, windows and balconies all sweeping around corners. By the 1940s these details were entrenched into suburban designs. The 'Waterfall' or 'Waterfall Front' style came to be known as such from the use of descending curves in chimneys, fence pillars and other vertical elements. Robin Boyd, the Australian architect and writer, noted that three was 'the key to decorative smartness'; three steps usually being used for the waterfall effect and featured parallel lines were often in threes.
Defining features of houses from this period are curved corner windows, including Venetian blinds, some rare examples of which are curved. With a slightly steeper pitched roof than the Early Modern Style, this style was generally of brick veneer cream brick but also could have dark brown glazed feature brickwork incorporated into the external walls, and under windowsills. Chimneys were either stepped or plain, and together with the round windows perhaps gave meaning to the "Waterfall" name.
Ecclesiastical, International, Melbourne Regional, Brisbane Regional and American Colonial were also styles which existed in the period 1940-1960.
 The Waterfall style and Art Deco combined, Heidelberg, Victoria |
[edit] International Style
The Rose Seidler House built by Harry Seidler for his parents between 1948 and 1950 in Sydney incorporated Modernist features of open planning, a minimal colour scheme, and labour saving devices that were new to Australia at the time. The house won the Sir John Sulman Medal in 1951 and is today preserved as a museum as a very influential house.[1]
After the second World War, architects in Australia were influenced by the development of the International style of architecture. Some regional variations developed. In Melbourne, Robin Boyd and Roy Grounds articulated a Melbourne interpretation of the modern style. Boyd's book Victorian Modern (1947) traced the history of architecture in the state of Victoria and described a style of architecture that he hoped would be a response to local surroundings as well as the popular international style. In particular he nominated the work of Roy Grounds and in some outer suburban bush houses of the 1930s as being the early stages of such a style. Grounds and Boyd later worked in partnership.
The houses were typically narrow, linear, and single storey with a low pitched gable roof. They had exposed rafters and wide eaves. Walls were generally bagged or painted brick and windows were large areas of glass with regularly spaced timber mullions. [3]
 The Rose Seidler House in the northern Sydney suburb of Wahroonga, New South Wales |
 House designed in 1954 by Robin Boyd at Bedford Street, Deakin, Australian Capital Territory. Typical of the post-war Melbourne regional style: long unbroken roof line, wide eaves, extensive windows. |
[edit] L-Shape
1945 - 1955
This style represented a change in the overall floor plan, the plan resembling a large "L" Shape. Usually with gabled ends to the L, with terra cotta tiles still being used, as concrete tiles didn’t appear until the late 1960’s. Timber or steel framed windows were used, and front facing fences resembled the house, much the same as had been seen since the Early Modern Period.
[edit] Triple Front (Cream Brick)
1950 - 1960s Distinctly recognisable by their front facing walls have 3 and sometimes even 4 front facing falls. This led to the front entrance sometimes brought round to the side within one of the alcoves created by the multiple fronts. Roofs were medium pitched and hipped with concrete tiles being used towards the end of the style in the late 60’s. Front fences had a castellated top and feature piers raised above the top of the rest of the brick fence. Decorative iron was used very minimally, in gates to driveways, and balustrades to entrances.
 Triple Front (With 4 Fronts), Heidelberg, Victoria |
[edit] Late Twentieth Century 1960 - 2000
Styles which existed in the late twentieth century include Stripped Classical, Ecclesiastical, International, Organic, Sydney Regional, Perth Regional, Adelaide Regional, Tropical, Brutalist, Structural, Late Modern, Post Modern, Australian Nostalgic and Immigrants' Nostalgic.
