Queen Anne Architecture, What is Queen Anne Architecture
Queen Anne Architecture speaks to what is Queen Anne Architecture and define Queen Anne Architecture.
It originated in England in the 1860s and 1870s and was invented by architects who provided service for the upper middle classes. The houses that the y created were large, comfortable and luxurious and were an instant success with the merchant and artistic classes of England and soon became popular in North America.
North American architects added their special interpretation of this Queen Anne Revival when they designed and created wooden, large, clapboard-covered. The style was not popular after the First World War but the free flowing qualities of the interior spaces influenced later styles. This type of architecture is presently enjoying some popularity among Post-Modern architects.
Queen Anne Architecture is the most eclectic of the nineteenth century styles with the most varied, colourful and light hearted themes. The historical details are mostly borrowed from fifteenth century English architecture which was a blend of medieval and classical motifs. Included are tudor windows, corner towers, bay and oriel windows and some medieval carving. The classical features are are columns and pilasters, pediments, sash windows, Palladian windows and stringcourses.
All of these motifs are combined on facades that are usually symmetrical in elevation, with high irregular rooflines punctuated with many dormers gables and ornamental chimney stacks. Projecting wings, porches and balconies add to the facade.
These designs were executed in virtually every material available. Red brick is most often used often combines with stone or wood trim or panels of sculpted terracotta. Wood is also commonly used clapboard and shingle, either left to age naturally or painted a variety of brilliant colours.
Despite this combination of details and surface treatments there is an underlying discipline to Queen Anne Revival buildings. It is usual that for each vertical there is a horizontal and for each busy surface, a calm one. It is indeed a balanced design.
Most of these designs are houses although the style was used
for some hotels, hospitals, apartment buildings and commercial buildings. The
interior of these houses are usually designed around a central stair hall. This
is a large hall containing the stairs, seating and a fireplace and often the
principal rooms of the ground floor lead off from this central circulatory
space. Also featured are luxurious appointments including beautiful plasterwork
and woodworking, a variety of window types, built in bookshelves, buffets,
cabinets, glazed tile, terracotta, stained and bevelled glass.
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