🏛️American Architecture Unit 3 – Early American Architecture

Key Periods and Styles

• Colonial Period (1600-1780) characterized by simple, functional designs adapted from European styles
  • Early Colonial (1600-1700) featured modest, single-room houses with steep roofs and central chimneys
  • Georgian Colonial (1700-1780) exhibited symmetrical facades, classical details, and central hallways
• Federal Period (1780-1820) marked by refined, classical elements and delicate ornamentation
  • Influenced by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, as well as the work of Italian architect Andrea Palladio
  • Characterized by low-pitched roofs, semi-circular fanlights over doors, and Palladian windows
• Greek Revival (1820-1860) inspired by ancient Greek temples and democratic ideals
  • Featured low-pitched gable roofs, columned porticos, and heavy entablatures
  • Often incorporated bold, simple geometric forms and minimal ornamentation
• Gothic Revival (1840-1880) drew inspiration from medieval European architecture
  • Characterized by pointed arches, steep gables, and intricate tracery
  • Promoted a picturesque aesthetic and romantic ideals of the past
• Italianate (1840-1885) based on Italian Renaissance villas and palazzos
  • Featured low-pitched roofs, wide eaves with decorative brackets, and tall, narrow windows
  • Often incorporated square cupolas or towers and elaborate hood moldings over windows and doors

Influential Architects and Builders

• Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) designed Monticello and the University of Virginia, combining classical and Palladian elements
  • Believed architecture should reflect democratic ideals and serve as a symbol of the new nation
• Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764-1820) introduced Greek Revival style and designed the U.S. Capitol and the Baltimore Basilica
  • Pioneered the use of new materials and technologies, such as cast iron and steam heating
• William Strickland (1788-1854) designed the Second Bank of the United States and the Tennessee State Capitol in Greek Revival style
• Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892) promoted the Gothic Revival style and designed the New York University building and the State Capitol of Illinois
  • Collaborated with landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing to create picturesque country houses
• Richard Upjohn (1802-1878) specialized in Gothic Revival churches, including Trinity Church in New York City
  • Founded the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1857 to professionalize the practice of architecture
• Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886) developed the Richardsonian Romanesque style, characterized by heavy stone masonry and round arches
  • Designed the Trinity Church in Boston and the Marshall Field Wholesale Store in Chicago

Materials and Construction Techniques

• Wood was the most common building material in early American architecture due to its abundance and versatility
  • Timber framing used heavy, hand-hewn beams joined with mortise and tenon connections
  • Clapboard siding, made from split or sawn wooden boards, protected exterior walls
• Brick and stone were used for more permanent and prestigious buildings, such as churches and government structures
  • Bricks were often made on-site using local clay and fired in temporary kilns
  • Stone was quarried nearby and used in load-bearing walls or as a veneer over brick
• Thatched roofs, made from straw or reeds, were common in early colonial houses but were later replaced by wooden shingles
• Wrought iron was used for hardware, such as hinges, locks, and nails, as well as decorative elements like railings and balconies
• Glass was initially expensive and rare, with small, diamond-shaped panes set in lead came
  • Larger, rectangular panes became more common in the 18th and 19th centuries as glass production improved
• Advances in heating and ventilation, such as fireplaces, stoves, and central heating systems, improved comfort and livability
• Prefabrication and mass production of building components, such as doors, windows, and decorative elements, increased efficiency and affordability in the 19th century

Cultural and Historical Context

• Early American architecture was influenced by the diverse cultural backgrounds of European settlers, including English, Dutch, French, and Spanish
  • Regional variations developed based on local climate, available materials, and cultural traditions
• The Puritan values of simplicity, functionality, and austerity shaped early colonial architecture in New England
  • Meeting houses served as both religious and civic centers, emphasizing the importance of community
• The plantation system in the South led to the development of large, symmetrical manor houses surrounded by slave quarters and agricultural buildings
• The Industrial Revolution and westward expansion in the 19th century fueled the growth of cities and the demand for new building types, such as factories, warehouses, and commercial buildings
  • The rise of the middle class and the idea of the "American Dream" led to the proliferation of single-family homes and suburban developments
• The Civil War and Reconstruction period saw the emergence of a more unified national identity and the desire for a distinctly American architectural style
• The City Beautiful movement and the rise of urban planning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed to create more livable and aesthetically pleasing cities
  • Beaux-Arts architecture, characterized by grandiose scale, classical details, and elaborate ornamentation, became popular for public buildings and monuments

Notable Buildings and Landmarks

• Independence Hall (1753) in Philadelphia, designed by Andrew Hamilton and Edmund Woolley in Georgian style
  • Site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
• The White House (1792-1800) in Washington, D.C., designed by James Hoban in Neoclassical style
  • Serves as the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States
• The U.S. Capitol Building (1793-1823) in Washington, D.C., designed by William Thornton, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, and Charles Bulfinch in Neoclassical style
  • Houses the legislative branch of the U.S. government, including the Senate and the House of Representatives
• Monticello (1769-1809) in Charlottesville, Virginia, designed by Thomas Jefferson in Neoclassical style
  • Jefferson's plantation home and a prime example of Palladian architecture in America
• The Biltmore Estate (1889-1895) in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Richard Morris Hunt in Châteauesque style
  • The largest private residence in the United States, built for George Washington Vanderbilt II
• The Carson Mansion (1884-1886) in Eureka, California, designed by Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom in Victorian style
  • An elaborate example of the Queen Anne style, featuring intricate woodwork and a variety of textures and colors
• The Robie House (1909) in Chicago, Illinois, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Prairie School style
  • A pioneering example of modern residential architecture, with an open floor plan and strong horizontal lines

Design Elements and Features

• Symmetry and balance were key principles in many early American architectural styles, particularly in Georgian and Federal designs
  • Facades were often divided into equal parts, with a central entrance and evenly spaced windows
• Classical details, such as columns, pediments, and entablatures, were adapted from ancient Greek and Roman architecture
  • These elements conveyed a sense of refinement, stability, and democratic ideals
• Vernacular elements, such as steep roofs, central chimneys, and shutters, were practical adaptations to local climate and materials
  • These features helped to protect buildings from the elements and to regulate temperature and light
• Ornamentation ranged from simple, geometric patterns in early colonial houses to elaborate, curvilinear designs in Victorian styles
  • Decorative elements often reflected the cultural background and social status of the owners
• Spatial organization evolved from simple, one-room plans in early colonial houses to more complex, multi-room arrangements in later styles
  • The central hallway became a common feature, providing circulation and separating public and private spaces
• Landscaping and site design were important aspects of early American architecture, particularly in the picturesque styles of the 19th century
  • Gardens, terraces, and curving paths were designed to complement the architecture and create a harmonious relationship with nature
• Technological innovations, such as cast iron, plate glass, and elevators, allowed for new design possibilities and larger, more open spaces in the 19th century
  • These advancements also facilitated the development of new building types, such as skyscrapers and department stores

Regional Variations

• New England colonial architecture was characterized by simple, rectangular forms, steep roofs, and central chimneys
  • Houses were often built of wood and clad in clapboard or shingle siding
  • Notable examples include the Paul Revere House (1680) in Boston and the Fairbanks House (1637) in Dedham, Massachusetts
• Mid-Atlantic colonial architecture, particularly in Pennsylvania and Delaware, was influenced by English and German traditions
  • Houses often featured stone construction, pent roofs, and asymmetrical layouts
  • Notable examples include the Betsy Ross House (1740) in Philadelphia and the John Dickinson Plantation (1740) in Dover, Delaware
• Southern colonial architecture was adapted to the warm, humid climate and the plantation system
  • Houses were often built of brick and featured large, symmetrical facades, wide porches, and tall windows for ventilation
  • Notable examples include the Shirley Plantation (1613) in Charles City, Virginia, and the Drayton Hall (1738) in Charleston, South Carolina
• Spanish colonial architecture in the Southwest and Florida was influenced by the building traditions of Spain and Mexico
  • Houses were often built of adobe or stucco and featured flat roofs, thick walls, and enclosed courtyards
  • Notable examples include the Palace of the Governors (1610) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Castillo de San Marcos (1672) in St. Augustine, Florida
• Creole architecture in Louisiana blended French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences
  • Houses often featured raised foundations, wide galleries, and intricate ironwork
  • Notable examples include the Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (1772) in New Orleans and the Destrehan Plantation (1787) in Destrehan, Louisiana

Legacy and Influence on Later Architecture

• Early American architectural styles established a foundation for the development of a distinct national identity and culture
  • The ideals of democracy, individualism, and progress were reflected in the design of public buildings and private homes
• The Greek Revival style had a lasting impact on American architecture, particularly in the design of government buildings and institutions
  • Many state capitols, courthouses, and universities continue to feature Greek Revival elements
• The picturesque styles of the 19th century, such as Gothic Revival and Italianate, influenced the development of suburban architecture and the "American Dream" of homeownership
  • These styles were adapted and popularized through pattern books and the rise of mass-produced building components
• The Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century drew inspiration from the simplicity and craftsmanship of early American architecture
  • Architects such as Gustav Stickley and the Greene brothers promoted a return to honesty in materials and design
• The Colonial Revival style, which emerged in the late 19th century and remained popular throughout the 20th century, was a nostalgic reinterpretation of early American architecture
  • This style was characterized by symmetrical facades, classical details, and a sense of historical authenticity
• Postmodern architecture of the late 20th century often incorporated elements of early American styles in an eclectic and ironic manner
  • Architects such as Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown used historical references to critique the austerity of modernism
• The preservation and restoration of early American buildings has become an important aspect of cultural heritage and tourism
  • Organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation work to protect and promote the legacy of early American architecture