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Eichler type Contemporary

Contemporary

Similar to the ‘high’ modernist International style, the Contemporary was designed from the inside out and utilized many new products such as plate glass and engineered wood to create its ‘soft’ modernist form. Inspired by Wright’s Usonian houses and his treatises on affordable home design that related to the landscape, this style was initially popularized by J. Eichler in California. Common elements include a low-pitched or flat roof with wide overhanging eaves; windows to, or just below, the roof line; recessed or obscured asymmetrically placed entry; horizontal, ground-hugging lines; warm material use such as stone, brick or wood; and a low, broad chimney. This front-gabled example, in the L-shape-with-carport footprint favoured by Wright, has an ’Eichler roof’ that showcases pyramidal plate glass windows giving onto defined exterior living spaces.

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1970's Mansard

Mansard

Hearkening back to the Second Empire Style, the Mansard was the “formal” home during a time when the informal Ranch and Contemporary designs dominated. The Mansard roof can accommodate a full height ‘attic’ living space, so an architect or builder could ‘sneak’ a 2 storey home into developments with single storey zoning requirements. Additionally, the cost of building a Mansard is notably less than a comparable standard 2 storey since the brick veneer stops at the 1st storey and is replaced by less expensive roofing materials above, making it attractive to both builder and buyer. Typically, and particularly after 1965, round-arched dormer windows are set into the lower roof slope. While double entry doors under a segmental or round arch are most common, the single squared door entry with a decorative surround (as in this example) is found in more traditional settings or sub-divisions.

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Watchill Organic

Organic

The main tenet of Organic: Carefully study the site, landscape and natural features, then create a design that grows from within, integrating site and house into one harmonious whole. The exterior typically displays geometries that echo native elements of the site and are often clad with natural materials. Seamless interior/exterior transitions are common (image below right), as is a floor plan that incorporates views, whether planned or found. The example, designed by Ron Thom, sits on a steeply sloped lot (35˚ to 45˚) and transitions through 5 interior levels. The front facade (image below left) is a virtual extension of the landscape, while the west walls feature extensive use of full-height windows under deep overhangs. It’s clad in flush-board cedar though the unfortunate choice by an owner to paint the original naturally silvered cedar detracts from the full organic harmony achieved pre-paint.

Organic Interior-Exterior Transition

 

 

 

 

Organic Facade Example

 

 

 

 

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Shed

Shed

In 1963/64, the “Shed” galvanized the imagination of young architects by its use in what was perhaps the earliest ecologically-based housing development - Sea Ranch in California. The interplay between typically multi-directional shed roof elements is striking; the strong diagonal lines leave a lasting impression. The entry is usually recessed or obscured. Lower windows are often 2 part: a tall narrow fixed upper and a short lower opener. Any chimney is simple, rectangular and wood-clad with extended metal flues. This example, with its complex 4-part massing and one shortened end gable (seen top left), has substituted reverse pitched shed dormer elements for the more common clerestory window ribbon. The house’s diagonally installed wood cladding is typical of this style, however the brick veneer on the lower facade is only occasionally seen.

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NV Georgian

New Vernacular

Original vernacular homes, also referred to as ‘Folk Houses’, were typically built by settlers or individuals with limited resources using locally produced products, made-on-site (pit-sawn boards, etc.) and/or ‘found’ materials (e.g. stone). These houses were often rough approximations of either the European homes they had grown up surrounded by, or the popular design style of-the-day. In the 1930’s, some architects began to design quiet, understated homes that recalled the ’folk’ tradition. By the latter part of the 20th century, this style often focussed on reflecting the architectural tradition of the region in which the home was built. One common element of New Vernacular homes is a large ’usable’ porch; typically with clean lines and minimal decorative elements. The windows are usually double-hung with simple frames.

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Millennium Mansion

Millennium Mansion

Often derided by architectural writers and experts, this style has nonetheless been popular. In both new and infill subdivision builds, its single large mass and vertical nature lends itself to being built right to the lot set-backs. And, the design’s use of various cladding materials on a single house can be cheaper than full brick veneer. High-pitched complex roof forms which can be extremely complicated, and may have discontinuous roof ridges, are universal. The house is usually built as a single massive structure with a tall (1½ - 2 storey), often arched, entry feature that includes a window above the door. Wall and roof dormers are typical with the latter frequently deployed simply to add roof complexity. Window sizes and shapes can vary widely on the same facade, often including arched and/or porthole forms.

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New Traditional Prairie

New Traditional

New Traditionals are usually based on design styles of the early 20th century (Eclectic, Prairie & Craftsman), although occasionally may follow Victorian or Romantic forms. While experts who work in this style can (and have) design a home virtually indistinguishable from period houses, it's far more likely that these architects would create a home that is immediately recognizable as, but subtly divergent from, the original form. This example is based on the asymmetrical hipped-roofed Prairie style (Compare: New & Period). With its banked & corner windows under fairly wide eaves, the architect has muted horizontal & vertical elements with effective use of shadow defining the former and complementary coloration of the stucco & trim on the elevations; all contrasted by the stone water table. Note the obscured entry in single story extension, both of which speak directly to many original Prairie designs.

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21st Century Modern

21st Century Modern

The ever-increasing sophistication of computer programs like CAD and CAM has given architects an unprecedented opportunity to create a conceptual design, ‘see’ it in 3-D, make rapid modifications and even test the engineering parameters. These tools established the conditions which allowed a ’style of experimentation’ to develop: 21st Century Modern. Even though this style’s defining elements may be ’subject-to-change’ while architects continue to explore creative possibilities, we suggest that most designs are rooted in the International Style with consistent divergent elements that include: walls or roofs that may be curved or canted; claddings, of two or more types, that may include glass, metal, concrete, stucco, wood, stone, etcetera; three-dimensional patterning on the facade(s); and more. Illustrating this, our example shows 5 materials on the facade which work together to subtly accentuate the front entry; a canted roof on the central massing; and three dimensional relief effect across much of the facade.

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Explore Houses & Styles...

 

To continue your exploration, you may make a specific selection from the Menu; or, click on a decade in the Timeline to visit a style popular in that period; or, choose another of our Main Sections from the following...

Should you have finished your exploration for now, please re-visit the Guide when you get a chance. It is a "living" reference that will grow and expand as we find additional historical treasures or architects move the frontiers of design to new levels. 

Abacus
Arch
Arch, Pointed
Arch, Segmental
Arch, Semi-circular
Bargeboard
Belvedere
Board & Batten
Bracket
Brick
Brick, Bond
Brick, Common Bond
Brick, Course
Brick, English Bond
Brick, Flemish Bond
Brick, Header/Stretcher
Brick, Queen Closer
Brick, Running Bond
Brick, Structural
Brick, Wythe
Building Form
Bungalow
Carport
Cladding
Clapboard
Classical Orders
Clerestory
Column
Column, Composite
Column, Corinthian
Column, Doric
Column, Ionic
Column, Solomonic
Column, Tuscan
Cornice
Cornice, Eave
Cornice, Raking
Cupola
Dentil
Door, 6 Panel
Door, French
Door, Garden
Door, Patio
Door, Plank
Dormer
Dormer, Arched-top
Dormer, Eyebrow
Dormer, Gabled
Dormer, Hipped
Dormer, Pedimented
Dormer, Recessed
Dormer, Shed
Dormer, Wall
Eave
Eave, Fascia
Eave, Soffit
Elevation
Entablature
Entablature, Classical
Entablature, Composite
Entablature, Corinthian
Entablature, Doric
Entablature, Ionic
Entablature, Tuscan
Facade
Facade Bay
Facade, 2 Bay (2 Ranked)
Facade, 3 Bay (3 Ranked)
Facade, 4 Bay (4 Ranked)
Facade, 5 Bay (5 Ranked)
Facade, Asymmetrical
Facade, Multiple Bay (6+ Ranked)
Facade, Symmetrical
Facade, X/Y Bay (e.g. 3/5)
Flushboard
Foursquare (American)
Framing
Framing, Balloon
Framing, Brace
Framing, Platform
Framing, Timber
Frontispiece
Gable
Glass
Glass, Crown
Glass, Cylinder
Glass, Drawn
Glass, Float
Glass, Stained
Half Timber
Lime Rendering
Lintel
Lumber
Lumber, Dimensional
Lumber, Rough Sawn
Modillion
Molding
Molding, Hood
Mortar Rendering
Mullion
Muntin
Nail
Nail, Hand-forged
Nail, Machine Cut
Nail, Wire
Pattress Plate
Pediment
Pediment, Broken
Pediment, Open
Pediment, Segmental
Pilaster
Porch
Portico
Portico, Flying
Quoin
Rafter
Rafter, Extended
Rafter, Overhanging
Romantic
Roof
Roof, Clipped Gable
Roof, Cross Gable
Roof, Cross-hipped
Roof, Eichler
Roof, Flat
Roof, Gabled
Roof, Gambrel
Roof, High Pitch
Roof, Hipped
Roof, Low Pitch
Roof, Mansard
Roof, Medium Pitch
Roof, Pitch
Roof, Truss
Shake, Cedar
Shingle
Shingle, Asphalt
Shingle, Cedar
Shingle, Slate
Stone, Ashlar
Stone, Rubble
Stone, Rusticated
Stucco
Transom
Usonian
Veneer
Veneer, Brick
Veneer, Stone
Verandah
Vernacular
Victorian
Voussoir
Water Table
Window
Window, 1 over 1
Window, 12 over 12
Window, 12 over 8
Window, 2 over 2
Window, 6 over 6
Window, 8 over 8
Window, Bay
Window, Casement
Window, Clerestory
Window, Dormer
Window, Double-hung
Window, Fanlight
Window, Leaded
Window, Oriel
Window, Paired
Window, Palladian
Window, Picture
Window, Porthole
Window, Ribbon
Window, Sidelight
Window, Single-hung
Window, Transom