American architecture is iconic. It is hidden in every town across the United States of America. From small county courthouses to skyscrapers in New York City. American Architecture has and will continue to be a sign of America’s strength and prosperity. In this essay, I will lay out basic eras of American architecture to guide an interpretation of American architecture.
Pre-European Settlement
Since the settlement of the lands which is now America, the native peoples were separated. They were not a big union like the U.S. is today. Instead, they were smaller tribes, and their traditions varied from tribe to tribe. Some architecture was built in stone like the Pueblos did. Some, like the Iroquois, were known for building long cabin-type houses called “Longhouses.” Other tribes simply built wigwams or teepees. This was the original type of architecture in America. Because not all the information is known about the cultures or history of the native tribes, it is a little difficult to interpret the types of architecture. It is possible to tell how strong they were based on the specs of their buildings.
Early European Settlement and Colonization
When the Spanish settled in the southern areas of America, they brought their architecture. Their architecture has lots of masonry and in the southern areas today, the Spanish influence is still present. The Spanish were the most powerful country when they settled, so their architecture mimicked their strength compared to the local tribes.
When the Europeans colonized the northern parts of America, they built cabins were built out of wood to live in. It was common for the early colonists to do that because wood was common. This is because they were on their own and everything imported was used sparingly. A side product of this was that they built wood homes that were simple.
Late European Settlement and the Georgian Architecture
Britain became the largest and most powerful country in the world and the Georgian architecture modeled that new power. Georgian buildings were often made of brick having large crown moldings and larger windows. The style was used for government buildings or mansions in the colonies. Not everyone had a house in this style since it was expensive to build. Places in Williamsburg VA, Boston MA, and Philadelphia PA, all are filled with Georgian buildings because these cities were the largest and most important cities in America at the time. Many of these buildings were grand because they were a direct image of the strength of the British Monarch. The buildings often had the royal coat of arms and were flamboyant.
Early American Independence
After the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, the very much British Georgian Architecture still was used. As the United States started to become increasingly independent and different from Britain, so did the architecture. The Federal Style of Architecture used the block for planning streets and using geometry. Domes were also used a lot and decoration was key. Columns were also being used.
Thomas Jefferson was an architect and had much influence. He had travelled outside of America and saw architecture and started to make his own set of architectural designs. Most famously, the Monticello, Jefferson designed his own home. His designs mixed the Federal design with more neoclassical designs from Europe.
Greek Revival is a quite common form of architecture from this period. It is as the name implies a revival of Greek architecture. Large columns and pediments are usually painted white. This era was an era for growth and a time where American Architecture defined itself. Often, these monumental styles show the strength that the new nation would become.
Washington D.C. is famous for this era of architecture. The city was designed with blocks and lots of geometry. The two famous buildings of this era are the White House and the United States Capitol. Southern plantation homes are also known to have architectural designs that are based on this era of architecture.
Mid 1800s
Greek Revival was becoming more popular. Perhaps this was because the Greeks and Romans had a similar form of government. The architectural style started to refine itself and states started to build their capitols in the style. Greek Revival screams power and strength. By this point, America was on the map and was quickly catching up with much of Europe.
As time went on, America went through a change. Romanticism brought medieval design to America and castle-like structures. Stained Glass became popular and gargoyles as well. Cathedrals like in Europe were built and the Smithsonian Institute is a famous example of this “American Gothic” style of architecture. This style lasted for a while and showed a different type of might that America had. A might that could be seen as a castle would to an invader. Many famous prisons and penitentiaries are built using the American Gothic style of architecture because it can help scare people to prevent crime.
The Victorian Era
After the Civil War, a time of enlightenment occurred. Many new inventions were being made and times were prosperous. Many advances were made and the way of life improved. Victorian Architecture models this. Large homes with many windows and rooms. The new widow’s watch and mansard roofing. This style is what everyone associates with haunted mansions. The fresh style has many variations because people were trying out new things. Some houses were more traditional while others could be in the shape of an octagon. The prosperous and positive times of advancement were strongly shown in the Victorian style of architecture. The testing of these new styles resembles the testing of new inventions and technologies. Also, during this time, there was a lot of influence from Europe mainly from Britain and France.
Also, during this period, the development of cheap steel and advances in engineering allowed for an innovative design of buildings that could be much taller than ever before. The invention of the elevator also helped structures grow to new heights. These skyscrapers allowed cities to grow much larger than they were before. This allowed for a higher population and more jobs. This style tells of working America because of the rise of industrialism and the inventions of the industrial revolution.
American Architecture
By the time of the late 1800’s, American architecture was much more refined and unique. Beauty and landscaping along with city planning was more common. Places like Washington D.C. became more planned and Central Park are good examples of this scenic planning in a city. Landmarks still had roots from previous times, but the American architecture amplifies the beauty and makes it unique. Places like the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial are incredibly beautiful places with this type of style. The clean marble design and columns resemble the monuments of the ancient world, but it is changed in small ways that make it new.
Revivalism
In the late 1800s-early 1900’s, revivalism began to rise. The revival of older styles and a renewal of the traditional styles of architecture that was seen before such as Spanish Colonial Revival and Georgian or Colonial Revival. This of course mixed the old styles, changed small parts of it, and updated them to the times of the day.
Early to mid-1900s
After skyscrapers started to become more popular, the heights of these buildings became taller and taller. Laws required these buildings to conform to allow light into the cities and as a result, buildings of this era are iconic. The new heights became competitive and many of these skyscrapers’ designs were secret until they were complete. Some of these skyscrapers include the Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building, and the since demolished Singer Tower. The Chrysler Building is highly detailed and reflects the company that built it. There are designs of hubcaps, fenders, hood ornaments, and the famous eagle heads. The crown of the tower is like a crown or sun beams. They scream about the Art Deco design that the tower has. The eagles resemble gargoyles that are featured in gothic design. The spire is like a cathedral spire. This iconic tower shows the new industrial might as well as the symbolism of the auto industry. It is a beautiful building and shows that the country was still prosperous. The Empire State Building also has some intricate details, but the setbacks of the building allow for a unique skyline silhouette.
There was not much architectural progress from the mid-1930s through the 1940s that is worth mentioning, but the 1950’s was iconic. The introduction of the 1950s style of architecture strongly resembles the celebration of the end of WWII. The colorful diners and cars along with the metallic features are different from any previous style. Diners across America still have this style and they often are proud of it. Houses of the time were so similar that some people call them “Cookie Cutter Homes.” The ranch style homes also became common. The houses were smaller than before as well. The development of the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System along with the diners and the colorful cars led to a new positive and celebratory way of life. Looking back at those times, all I can think of is happiness.
The Birth of Modernism
The colorful style of the fifty’s led to a distinct style called modernism. Modernism is vastly different since it is simplistic and often monochrome. Modernism was a rise in simplicity and cleanliness. The most iconic modernistic structure that I could think of was the Twin Towes of the World Trade Center. They looked like tall square blocks and were clean on the outside and had a more open floor flat with several windows on the inside. The modernistic view is now the iconic high-rise building design that has glass windows for outside walls. The modernistic style is vastly different, yet it can work in the right setting. Places like Fallingwater designed by Frank Loyd Wright is a beautiful modernistic home built over a creek in southern Pennsylvania. It comprises of strong shapes like rectangles and is exceptionally clean. It is not the skyscraper modernism that is normally thought of, but it is still modernistic. The Sydney Opera House is also a modernistic architecture marvel that is sometimes forgotten as being modern.
Modernism is still quite common in the 21st century, but it is a little different. Glass is often used, and open floor plans are in full use. Having as much glass as possible on the outside walls along with the open floor plans allows for a lot of light to enter and a clean look. A building that comes to mind is the Apple Park Campus. The architecture is a modern view of modernism.
Post-Modernism
Some people dislike the modernistic type of architecture. Instead, they make buildings that renew the styles that came before modernism like the revivalism movement of the late 19th century. Post-Modernism is simply the act of bringing back traditional architecture and American architecture. There is not much to it since modernism is so simple.
Permanency of American Architecture
From the beginning of American settlement, some structures were stronger than others. Some of them were log cabins that were temporary until a larger, more permanent structure was built. Stone fortresses showed the might of a country, and large state buildings showed the strength of a country. The Georgian style did just that. The Federal style showed the strength of a new nation, which was different from the British government, yet it fought off the British. Greek Revival showed the renewal of the tradition of times of old. The Gothic style showed a revival of Medieval times and the publication of new Romanticism. The Victorian era echoes the sparks of imagination and innovation of the Gilded age. The new inventions combined with the new creativity resulted in more permanent structures that reflect the times. The revival of many past styles was also a renewal of the times before. The unique American architecture shows that America was permanent and completely its own. These places are iconic and some other places that come to mind are the old railroad terminals like Grand Central Station in New York City. These places are iconic and beautiful to visit and show the strength and might of America. Although the American Architecture changed a little bit throughout the early 1900’s, it still existed to a point.
Modernism is where American architecture changed, however. A falling from the beauty for a clean look was like getting rid of the uniqueness that makes America its own. American architecture is still marvelous, but it is not unique like it used to be. Today, modernism is all about open and glass which is closely tied to the climate and the environment. You do not see much of the traditional architecture and many houses are not built to last. This could be tied to a weakening American might when it is coming from a traditionalistic standpoint. This falling from our culture is seen in people’s actions and interests in our own history. There is absolutely nothing wrong about modernism, but it closely resembles the American culture.
Everyone should look around where they go and admire the architecture and the craftsmanship and look at the intricate details, especially in older structures. Structures like that are simply not built anymore because it is extremely hard to find tradesmen who are skilled in building these unique styles. The masonry alone is extremely difficult to get remade nowadays. Simply look around at your local bank, especially because those buildings are like a large safe. They were designed to not be able to be robbed. The masonry on those buildings is gorgeous. If there is anything that can be done to preserve the unique architecture, it should be done because it will not be matched any more.
When a structure crumbles into rubble or gets torn down, you are losing a landmark and unique historical site which will never be replicated, so admire it now. Architecture is at the end of the day an art form, and it is meant to be admired.
