European Home Styles
The English, French, Italians, and Spanish have provided the most significant influence on architecture in America. Because many early settlers of this country came here from England and France, the European styles that dominated early American residential architecture were obviously from England and France.
English Architecture
English styles include old English (Cotswold), Tudor, Elizabethan, and Georgian. English styles can be distinguished from each other by some very specific differences in features. However, there are also many features common to all of these styles. For example, English styles all have relatively high-pitched roofs, massive chimneys, light leaded windows, and masonry siding. But the Cotswold style is found in small cottages, while the Elizabethan is distinguished by its half-timber construction, the Tudor by its multiple gables, and the Georgian by its classic box form. Within this framework of a general style, English styles can range from the very simple to the very lavish.
French Architecture
Since the French styles were brought to this country much later than the English styles (from 1700 to 1800), their impact on colonial residential architecture was far less pronounced. However, some French styles, such as Regency, mansard, provincial, and chateau, were accepted and used in many areas. French provincial architecture was brought to this continent when the French settled Quebec. French provincial architecture can be identified by the mansard roof. This roof design was developed by the French architect Francois Mansard. On the French provincial home, this roof is high-pitched, with steep slopes and with rounded dormer windows projecting from sides.
Southern European Architecture
Spanish architecture was brought to this country by Spanish colonials who settled the southwest. Spanish architecture is characterized by low pitched roofs of ceramic tile and by stucco exterior walls. A distinguishing feature of almost every Spanish home is a courtyard patio. Two-story Spanish homes contain open balconies enclosed in grill work. One-story Spanish homes were the forerunners of the present ranch-style homes that were developed in southern California.
Italian architecture is very similar to Spanish architecture. Distinguishing features are the use of columns and arches at a loggia entrance, and windows or balconies opening onto a loggia. A loggia is an open passage covered by a roof. The use of classical moldings around first-floor windows also help to distinguish the Italian style from the Spanish style of architecture.
Southern European house designs are also classified as Mediterranean architecture.
Early American Home Styles
The early colonists came to the New World from many different cultures and were familiar with many different styles of architecture. The label "Early American styles" is something of a inaccurate term, since all styles that came to America during this country's early development can be classified as such. As in European styles, there is likely a considerable amount of overlapping of characteristics among Early American architecture given that they all have a northern European base.
New England Colonial Architecture
The early settlers of the New England coastal areas were largely influenced by English architecture. Because of the lack of materials, equipment, and time, they were forced to simplify the house designs and adaptations to these styles. One of the most popular of all the New England styles of architecture was the Cape Cod. It is a one and one half story gabled-roof house with dormers. This design has a center aligned front entry, a large central chimney, and clapboard or bevel siding. Double hung windows are dressed with shutters, and the floor plans are generally symmetrical in design.
Mid-Atlantic Colonial Architecture
This style of architecture came about with the availability of brick. A seasonal climate plus the design philosophy of home designer, Thomas Jefferson also help the spearhead the mid-Atlantic style. In the colonial period, many buildings stretching from Virginia to New Jersey were designed in this fashion. The style is formal, massive, and ornate. It was an adaptation of several urban English buildings.
Southern Colonial Architecture
With warmer climates in the south, early settlers who migrated there were led to develop the southern colonial style. Outdoor living activities were more the usual. The homes became larger making them the center of plantation living. Second stories were added giving a more grand look along with two-story columns to support the front-roof overhang and the symmetrical gable roof.
American Styles That Developed Later...
After the colonial period, architectural styles somehow evolved from existing styles or climate needs, or were replicated from southern European styles as part of the classical revival movement. Styles that developed from this period included the Federal or Adam style, Victorian, classical revival, Gothic revival, and several Spanish western styles including the western ranch, western adobe, Monterey, and Spanish Mediterranean.
