The Evolution of Washington's Architecture
Picture this: You get on an airplane, blindfolded. The pilot flies you to a state and drops you off without telling you where you are.
At first, you'll be disoriented. But, after walking around for a little, you should get a better idea of where you are. One thing that can be particularly useful in getting your bearings? The architecture.
Every region has unique buildings, structures, and layouts. This is because architecture is often the product of the area's historical events, culture, and natural landscape.
In this article, we take a closer look at one state's particular architecture. Read on to learn about the evolution of Washington's buildings.
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During this period, Victorian architecture reigned. This style borrowed from older ideas (like Gothic architecture) and added new details (like French and Egyptian details). The result? Homes that were very unique to the artist's personal vision.
Some of the most popular Victorian homes in Washington include:
The Queen Anne style is the poster child of Victorian architecture. It uses a wide range of elements to create a distinct look. Distinguishing characteristics include:
Two notable homes in Washington of the Queen Anne style are:
Chateauesque homes are very grand. They tend to be asymmetrical, have detailed roofs, and feature large front doors framed by Gothic archways.
Carpenter Gothic was popular for churches and large & small homes. The style consists of jig-sawn details, batten siding, and buttressing.
Victorian architecture refers to the era of Queen Victoria. It was popularized in the U.K. and spread around the world.
From 1900-1940, new styles took over. Ones that were distinctly American. Two of the most popular include:
The Sullivanesque movement began in response to the emergence of skyscrapers. Sullivanesque buildings are tall and feature Syrian archways, vertical bands of windows, flat roots, etc.
As their name indicates, prairie homes are designed to fit in with the prairie landscape. They have open floor plans, rows of tiny windows, and chimneys central to the one-story building.
This period was all about revival. There was a major comeback of styles including Egyptian, French Norman, Garrison, Italian Renaissance, Pueblo, Tudor Composite, and more.
Here are some of the most popular styles from the Modern era:
Shed-style homes feature wooden exteriors, simple junctions between the roof and walls, and solar-friendly elements. Another distinguishing feature is flush board siding (available from providers like this siding company in Spokane).
Curtain Wall buildings feature an exterior that does not support the structure. In Washington, many Curtain Walls consist of glass and are the face of office buildings and skyscrapers.
Brutalism is essentially a counter to the Curtain Wall movement. It uses concrete to create a bulky, rigid look.
Throughout this article, we've discussed the uniqueness of Washington's built environment. However, it's important to note that the state also relies on nature to create its distinct landscape.
This may come as no surprise, seeing as how well-known Washington is for its beautiful natural environment. You can see traces of nature everywhere you look. Picturesque Mount Rainier is in the background of downtown Seattle. Spokane is nestled into a prominent agricultural region and even has the motto "Near Nature, Near Perfect."
As you can see, Washington's architecture has experienced quite the evolution. Trends have come and go with the natural landscape having an ever-lasting influence on the state's buildings.