STEP TWO
Victorian architecture generally refers to building styles that were popular during the reign of Queen Victoria. Industrialization during this time lead to rapid changes in building techniques which permitted greater freedom in form and the wider adoption of manufactured mouldings.
Second Empire
Imitations of French architecture at the time, this style was popular during the reign of Napoleon III, France’s Second Empire. It is characterized by the iconic mansard roof, decorative brackets, and arched windows with elaborate mouldings and decoration.
Fig. Second Empire Style House
| Era | 1860-1890 |
|---|---|
| Form | Formal, often symmetrical with strong vertical proportions. Square or rectangular, “T” or “L” shaped. A central pavilion often extends above the house in grand examples. |
| Storeys | 2-3 |
| Façade | Mansard roof as the defining feature, often clad in patterned slate with decorative dormers. Elaborate cornices, brackets, moldings at the roofline. Tall, narrow windows, often paired, with arched or pedimented tops. Smooth brick, stone, or stucco exteriors, sometimes with quoins or pilasters for added formality. |
| Roof | Mansard roof with dormers, allowing for an almost full third story of living space. Decorative iron cresting or balustrades along rooflines. |
| Windows | Tall, narrow windows, usually with rounded or segmental arches. Pediments or ornate hood moldings above windows. Bay windows, especially in urban rowhouse versions. |
| Details | Grand entryways with double doors, often framed by columns or pilasters. Elaborate porch designs, sometimes wrapping around the front facade. Highly decorative brackets, cornices, and friezes, especially beneath the eaves. Rich colour schemes, with contrasting trim to emphasize architectural details. |
Queen Anne
Irregular, busy, and highly ornate, featuring complex details, asymmetrical facades, steep roofs, decorative gables, patterned shingles, and often a prominent turret or tower as a focal point.
Fig. Queen Anne Style House
| Era | 1880-1910 |
|---|---|
| Form | Asymmetrical, rambling, irregular footprints with complex rooflines. High and wide. |
| Storeys | 2-3 |
| Façade | A mix of brick, wood, stone, and shingles, often combined in contrasting colours. Ornate spindlework, brackets, and decorative panels on eaves and porches. Asymmetrical facades with overhanging gables, towers, or turrets. |
| Roof | Steep pitch with multiple rooflines and gables, original roofs are often slate. |
| Windows | Eclectic. Varied window shapes, including arched, round, and multi-pane. Feature palladium, bay and oriel windows. Stained glass or leaded glass in upper sashes or accent windows. |
| Details | Wrap-around porches with turned wood columns, balustrades, intricate trim. Entryways with recessed doors, transoms, and sidelight windows. Decorative brackets and spindlework on balconies, eaves, and railings. Sometimes bright, multi-colour paint schemes highlighting intricate wall textures. |
-
-This guide provides a brief, highly graphical overview of Canada's architectural heritage, highlighting the defining characteristics of various building styles and types across different historical periods. We love older Parks Canada publications.
Parks Canada. Buildings of Canada: A Guide to Styles and Types. 1980, https://www.historicplaces.ca/media/7173/buildingsofcanada.pdf.
-This guide, commissioned by an East coast municipality, is quite comprehensive. It provides more detailed information on the architectural styles that are common in Canada.
Town of Sackville. Heritage Architecture Style Guide. 10 Mar. 2014, https://sackville.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Heritage_Architecture_Style_Guide_Final_10March2014.pdf.
-This book provides a comprehensive overview of major architectural styles and building terminology in Ontario from the late 18th century to relatively modern times.
Blumenson, John J.-G. Ontario Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Building Terms, 1784 to the Present. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1990.
-A concise introduction to considering the architectural character of your home is provided in the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Cultural Resources - Preservation Guides. The National Park Service preservation guides are a great resource in general and well worth exploring.
-This book outlines what to look for, what to do and what not to do when working on important building details.
Cusato, Marianne, and Ben Pentreath. Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid. Sterling, 2007.
-This book provides an excellent detailed guide to American residential architecture (basically the same as Canadian architecture).
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture. Knopf, 2015.
-This book provides detailed information on building elements.
Benjamin, Asher. The American Builder's Companion. Illustrated ed., Feb. 26, 2009, Dover Publications.
-This book provides detailed information on building elements indicating scale and proportion.
Radford, William A., Bernard L. Johnson, and Charles P. Rawson. Radford's Portfolio of Details of Building Construction: A Remarkable and Unique Collection of Full-Page Plates, Accurately Drawn and Reproduced to Exact Scale. Complete Details for Every Style of Interior Trim, Including Special Built-In Features. Illustrated ed., Dover Publications, Aug. 31, 2012.
Copyright Disclaimer: This online resource is for informational purposes only. All content is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without permission.