STEP TWO
These simplified adaptations of traditional and modern designs were focused on affordability, functionality, and accommodating middle-class family living in suburban developments.
Victory
Reflects the economic constraints and housing demands of the time. This style emphasizes simplicity, economy, and constructibility. These homes are often compact yet functional, designed for returning WWII veterans and their families.
Fig. Victory Style House
| Era | 1940-1950 |
|---|---|
| Form | Simple rectangular or square layouts with efficient, straightforward designs. |
| Storeys | 1-1.5 |
| Façade | Minimal ornamentation with utilitarian lines. Often clad in wood, brick, stucco, depending on regional material availability. Symmetrical or asymmetrical designs. |
| Roof | Low-pitched gable or hip roofs with modest eaves. |
| Windows | Standard-sized, rectangular sash windows. Minimal detailing, often with no shutters or simple decorative trim. |
| Details | Emphasis on cost-effective construction and practicality. Small front porches or stoops, sometimes with simple columns or overhangs. Little to no decorative detailing, focusing on function over form. |
Split Level
A style based on rational design meant to optimize space while providing distinct living zones. This style divides the home into multiple staggered levels, often separating living, sleeping and recreational spaces, while maintaining a compact and functional layout and incorporating a garage.
Fig. Split-level Style House
| Era | 1950-1970 |
|---|---|
| Form | Horizontal layout with staggered levels to separate spaces for living, sleeping, and recreation. |
| Storeys | Typically 3 levels, with half-floors that are visually and functionally connected. |
| Façade | Asymmetrical facades with large windows to highlight different levels. Materials like brick, wood, aluminum and stucco are common, often in combination. Modest ornamentation with an emphasis on clean lines, practicality and economy. |
| Roof | Low-pitched gable or hip roofs. Wide eaves. |
| Windows | Large, central picture window. Sliding glass doors and windows. Economical sizes. |
| Details | Front entry doors are typically set on the main floor and centrally or slightly offset. Attached garages are often prominently placed on the lowest level. |
Suburban Traditional
Blending elements of Colonial and Craftsman styles into a functional, family-friendly design. These homes prioritize layout, modern conveniences, vehicular storage and economy making them a staple in suburban developments.
Fig. Traditional Suburban Style House
| Era | 1950-present |
|---|---|
| Form | Rectangular or slightly asymmetrical layouts with a balanced facade. |
| Storeys | 1-2 |
| Façade | Mixed materials, commonly brick or manufactured stone on the lower level with wood or aluminum siding on the upper level. A prominent attached garage, often integrated into the home’s front facade. Simple, functional ornamentation, including shutters, trim, and covered porches. |
| Roof | Moderate-pitched gable or hip roofs, sometimes with dormers. Overhanging eaves with minimal decorative detailing. |
| Windows | Large rectangular windows, often multi-pane or grid-style for a more classic appearance. Triple or paired windows on the second story for balance. Sliding glass doors in the rear, reinforcing indoor-outdoor connectivity. |
| Details | Entry door is centrally or slightly offset, sometimes within a covered porch with simple columns. |
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-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.
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