Architectural Styles

I'll start this off by listing a numerous amount of Architectural Styles, because there a plenty. I'll get more in detail about each type with each post.

Architectural Styles List
Adam/Federal
A-Frame
Art Deco
Art Nouveau
Arts & Crafts
Bungalow
Cape Cod
Chalet
Colonial
Contemporary
Cottage
Country
Craftsman
Dutch Colonial
Early American
English Cottage
European
Farmhouse
Florida
French Chateau
French Country
French Provincial
Georgian
Gothic Revival
Greek Revival
Italianate
Loft
Log Cabin
Mediterranean
Mid-Century Modern
Mission
Modern
Neoclassical
Plantation
Post Modern
Post War
Prairie
Pre-War
Pueblo
Pueblo Revival
Queen Anne
Ranch
Row House
Shed Style
Shingle
Southwestern
Spanish
Tidewater
Tudor
Tudor Revival
Victorian

Adam/Federal Architecture

The Federal Style can sometimes be referred to as The Adam Style. It was first introduced in England around the 1760s and 1770s by architect Robert Adam. Federal Homes were popular in the United States between 1780 and 1790. It was during that time the United States was developing a Federal System for the government.

Federal architecture is often found in eastern cities. It is prominently found in Washington D.C. It can be highly recognized in seaport cities such as Boston, Massachusetts and Savannah, Georgia. It is rarely found in Midwest cities.


Federal Architecture can quickly be defined by having a square or rectangular boxy shape, that is normally two or three stories high. I know you’re thinking, square box houses are so boring, so let me tell you some of the features that will make it stand out from just that square box style home. When building a Federal architectural style home you should think Renaissance. You should add decorative finishes such as swags, garlands and urns. The entrance should always show a sign of wealth and grandness. The door may be simple but add on ornamentation such as a low pitched roof with a balustrade and it will surely start to stand out. The door can also be more defined by adding an elliptical or fan-shaped window over the door and windows to the side of the door. Circular stairways of the front entrance will show off the grandness that the home has to offer. Typically with Federal architecture the windows are never group together. They are rather aligned vertically and horizontally in a symmetrical fashion. They are usually double hung windows with wooden divisions of 6 or 9. Palladium windows are often used on dormers to add ornamentation and light into an attic. The building materials vary depending on the location of the home. For instance, in the northeast clapboard siding is often used, verses the southeast were brick is often used. Iron fencing can also better define a Federal home.

Sometimes Federal architecture can be confused with Georgian architecture. A good way to distinguish Federal architecture from Georgian architecture are the types of columns and shape used. Federal architecture normally have long slender columns and the moldings are more simpler and narrow. In Federal architecture you’ll find many geometric shapes such as ovals, octagons, circles and hexagons. Of course these structural shapes are found on the inside. These geometrics shapes and ornamentations are sure to make you forget that Federal architectural style is just a box.

Examples of Federal Architecture

Sources
HGTV Front Door
homeplans.com
About.com Architecture
Ask The Architect