Romanesque on a Budget
In its time, a Richardson Romanesque was the hallmark home of those who had “arrived”. Many who aspired to this social statement, but lacked the wherewithal for a full expression of the style, commissioned homes that deployed the more expensive elements selectively. In this example, the use of rusticated stone is minimized by a shorter foundation wall, a single band wrapping the second storey sill elevation and single block placement on each side of the entry surround. The main brick field is laid in a running bond strategically punctuated by decoration, with the majority of the rectangular windows topped by one piece dressed stone lintels. Even on the 2 ½ storey frontispiece, the architect cleverly created a design which focuses on the balcony while echoing Romanesque elements around the recessed entry and the window to the left. Taken as a whole, an outstanding example of Romanesque built within the constraints of a budget.
