19th Century: I Can't Keep Up! Architecture

The 19th century welcomed the Industrial Revolution- tons of new inventions and materials. Among these new materials were mortar and concrete, iron, brick, glass, and Portland cement. There was a huge amount of iron being produced in the 1800s and in turn, architects and engineers made buildings out of iron. Just like everything else in the Industrial Revolution, architecture was all about functionality. Architects were studying classical buildings and paying homage to ancient Greek, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture styles.

Monticello- Home of Thomas Jefferson

Neo-Classicist

This movement was concerned with classical volumes. Scale is grand, forms are simple and geometric, and it's all inspired by classical Greek and Roman styles. This means there are a great deal of columns, Greek Doric order, and Roman detail.






Neo-Gothic
Neo-Gothic buildings featured prominent vertical lines and excessive height. Windows, like in the first Gothic movement, were tall and pointed and enhanced with tracery. Designers also brought back Gothic carvings, gargoyles, and pinnacles.










Neo-Everything!




Don't forget about the Victorian style! This style came about around the middle of the century and incorporated eclectic historic styles and the new inspiration coming from the middle east and Asia.
This specific style is hard to pin down. Victorian style homes and buildings were built in the US around this time in cities like Boston, Louisville, New Orleans, and San Diego. Among these homes were colorfully painted gingerbread houses. These cute yet elegant houses featured lacy and doily-like spindles that decorated the corners of windows and hung from the roof. Windows were rounded at the top, and the porches included lattice, painted embellishments, and posts.This particular style reminds me of Gothic mixed with a cartoony version of Rococo. Sign me up!