Architects and Builders Must Get With The Program!

Women buyers are changing the realty demographics and seriously challenging the current market. The face of the home-buying public is altering, but as yet the market options have not changed enough to meet the different housing requirements of the early 21st century. Is the construction industry a bit slow on the uptake here?

Architects and Builders Must Get With The Program! : 2:14 (559 words)

The Zenith of Wood Architecture: Stick Homes

Stick architecture offers a uniquely American blend of Victorian and frontier building styles. Of the many styles developed during the Victorian era, this building style did the most to emphasize wood construction, and was incorporated into more building shapes. It continues as one of the most widely recognized building forms of the late 19th centuries, particularly in the northeast and California.

The Zenith of Wood Architecture: Stick Homes : 1:40 (417 words)

Understanding Cape Cod Architecture

Americans have always loved a good Cape Cod home. In 1938 when Life magazine asked families to choose their ideal place to live, the Cape Cod design was among those few selected, even when compared to an original modern home by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The design visionary may have had great ideas and some very attractive sketches, but he didn’t have hundreds of years of building tradition and a classic form recognized by everyone. Cape Cod designs are just as popular today, and will likely continue as one of the nation’s most enduring building styles.

Understanding Cape Cod Architecture : 1:57 (488 words)

The Story Behind Saltbox Architecture

Saltbox homes can convey years of American colonial history in a single glance. With distinctive high pitched asymmetrical roofs, and flat, unadorned exteriors, these homes show how people lived in the nation’s earliest days, between the early 16th and late 17th centuries, adjusting their homes as needed to make things easier. Because of their unique features, Saltbox homes are also instantly recognizable, and among the iconic residences of the Northeast coast.

The Story Behind Saltbox Architecture : 1:39 (414 words)

Understanding Shingle Architecture

Shingle architecture helped define the look of many of America’s most popular waterfront communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Reminiscent of the Queen Anne style, this building form helped residents make the most of lake and ocean real estate with a variety of ornamental features to enhance view, and construction materials that worked well in wet, coastal climates.

Understanding Shingle Architecture : 1:43 (430 words)

Understanding Second Empire Architecture

Some of the 19th century’s most imposing, majestic homes and public buildings were built in the Second Empire style. Based on French design elements popular during the Second French Empire, this building form was popular throughout the European sphere of influence and the United States during the mid to late 19th century, and is often considered the first prominent Victorian building style. Unlike other popular 19th century architectural forms, Second Empire was largely the product of new and emerging styles, rather than classic styles like Gothic and Regency. Second Empire architecture is also closely related to the Italianate building style, which also came into prominence during the mid-19th century.

Understanding Second Empire Architecture : 2:14 (557 words)

The Lasting Appeal of Monterey Architecture

Monterey architecture helped define the look of many Southern California cities, and is still one of the region’s most popular home building styles. It’s not uncommon to see entire neighborhoods of Monterey homes, especially in coastal areas where the abundantly-windowed style helps keep the ocean in clear view, and enables residents to transition easily between indoor and outdoor living. The timelessness of Monterey architecture, with its emphasis on clean, vertically-oriented features and functional layout, continues to make it an attractive choice for new home builders; Monterey neighborhoods often feature a mix of new and antique homes built to the same specifications, in a testament to the style’s lasting appeal.

The Lasting Appeal of Monterey Architecture : 1:52 (468 words)

Understanding Contemporary Architecture

Contemporary architecture has helped produce some of today’s most popular building styles. Structures from single family homes to downtown office buildings are built in contemporary styles, and most of which look as fresh today as they did decades ago. While it’s hard to give an absolute list of contemporary architecture features, buildings within the movement can usually be broadly identified, as can their individual styles.

Understanding Contemporary Architecture : 2:00 (501 words)

America’s Neoclassical Building Tradition

Neoclassical and Greek Revival architecture are two of America’s most recognized building forms. Though not in wide use today, these styles, characterized by columns, tall facades, and simple white exteriors, can be easily found on many of the nation’s historic landmarks and government buildings, including The Whitehouse. Students of architecture can expect these forms to endure for centuries longer, thanks to their integral role in the American social fabric.

America’s Neoclassical Building Tradition : 1:55 (478 words)

What Does Your Dream Vacation Home Feature?

What wanders across your imagination when thoughts of your dream vacation home come into your mind? I don’t suppose it is location, location, location - but that is what we are told is the number one thing we must consider.

What Does Your Dream Vacation Home Feature? : 2:41 (669 words)
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