NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Starting as nothing but vast frontier land, and followed shortly later when the United States developed into a nation, the U. S. was heavily influenced by the styles of art and architecture of European societies. Colonial Architecture reflects that of European nation, those that had to adapt to the dangers and harsh weather conditions of the vast wildernesses. If the weather conditions were dominantly rain then the homes would be equipped to disperse large amounts of water. If the conditions in the land called for wind protection because of windstorms or just large gusting periods during the day then the shelters would be built with strong materials so the shelters would not be blown over.
In the western part of the colonies Spanish influences prevailed more heavily and were shown in the structures that the early Spanish colonists built, while English styles and some French predominated in the east. When the colonists came to the U. S. they only brought knowledge of their countries building styles so in order to invent newer styles they had to start out with basic homes until they could design their own newer upscale homes to display their talents. This early period they called Saltbox architecture. A typical home during the first few years in the colonies was a log home or a cape cod, which was about one room deep, or if the house called for and the owners had enough money the home had a chimney.
With the Saltbox era coming to an end the architects looked to styles from their homelands. Many of the architects coming from Europe adopted their styles into American society and started to build homes that resembled some back in Europe. The late 1700 s and early 1800 s the Spanish colonists of the southwest encountered a native building tradition in adobe, which used readily available materials suited to their climate and would be reflected in the building structure. Adobe building structures were shown in many Spanish colonial churches in Arizona and New Mexico and other parts of the West, these churches were protected with large walls that would not allow the sandstorms to cause the church damage.
The majority of all other colonies during this time period relied heavily on European architecture, in particular English architecture. Around 1780 a new style started to prevail, Georgian style. This form reached the American colonies in the form of architecture manuals and pattern books. In New England they had a building boom during this period. Wealth was accumulating along the eastern part of New England. All of the first families were looking at setting a standard of sophistication and elegance to display their wealth and status, and with that they were eager to have the new Georgian style home, such as the Longfellow House or the Private Residence.
A typical Georgian changed many concepts of living. No longer was there multiple rooms; these led to specialization of separate rooms for sleeping, cooking, and dining and so forth. The exterior of the home: would have unpainted shingles, double hung windows and a front door that had a triangle pediment supported by columns to form a entrance. The Main sites of Georgian architecture in New England were the seaports. New England had a large group of middle-class houses in contrast to the south, where there was almost no middle ground architecturally between the mansions of the wealth and the cabins of the slaves. Throughout the late 1700 s New Hampshire served as a military base and a center of commerce.
Georgian houses were being copied, but built on a much larger up-scale development because the population was very much wealthier then there counterpart in the southern colonies. During the last few years of the 1700 s the English's introduction in architecture hit a considerable lag, and the periods style didnt correspond very well with each other. Early English settlements resemble that of late medieval housing; where as the other homes during this period came in all ranges and sizes. The typical English settlement would be the Parson Can House, which was a typical two-story New England House that used overlapping weatherboards. English settlements in the East Coast preferred that of brick construction. The typical brick home was a half story home that had chimneys at both ends of the home.
Just before the Revolution, architects also began to employ current styles. These styles closely followed English practice in larger homes. The English architects designed very sophisticated churches all throughout the colonies that displayed large pane glass windows, and very detailed paintings inside the church, these practices are still used today. During the first years of the 19 th century a domestic home that was two rooms deep and a central-stair hall represented architecture. Near mid-century the country houses were designed in the English Palladion style that features a compact two-story or three-story building. This home also features a principle room that would extend to the second story.
Many other important public buildings used the Palladion style such as the hospitals throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Free research essays on topics related to: late 1700, weather conditions, architecture, colonies, styles
Research essay sample on Weather Conditions Late 1700
