Architectural Styles and Eras

Whether it is simple & quaint or something grander & quirky, the architecture of a house can prove to be what sets it apart. There are several architectural styles out there and some have become popular to such an extent that they’ve been adopted by other parts of the world. 

As a prospective buyer of a house for your family, understanding the different architectural styles and their trends in the 21st century is pivotal. Knowledge will help you make an informed decision on which one to purchase.

Each house style tells its own story about the people who lived in it, what they valued and how architecture evolved over time. Here are just a few examples of our favorite styles: 

Italianate architecture: 

Italianate architecture was popular from the mid-1800s through to World War I; characterized by ornate cornices, brackets and eaves supported on curved brackets;

Tudor architecture:

Tudor architecture is most associated with the UK, first appearing in England during the reign of Henry VII and continuing to evolve through various periods. Characterized by steeply pitched roofs which often overhang both sides of a house, tall chimneys and timber framing or brickwork; 

Georgian architecture

Georgian architecture refers to houses built from 1714 to 1837 and characterized by symmetrical facades with columns, pilasters or a central pediment adorned with classical motifs.

Cape architecture

Cape architecture is specific to the western part of South Africa where you will find white washed homes framed in black wood meant to mimic vernacular architecture;

Modern architecture

Modern architecture was born out of the 20th century and is often associated with a rejection of architecture styles that came before it, opting instead for clean lines influenced by the Bauhaus movement.

Postwar architecture

Postwar architecture refers to buildings from 1945 onwards and is characterized by its simplistic form; 

Brutalism architecture

Brutalism architecture was born out of the 20th century and often reflects heavy materials like exposed concrete which can be seen in buildings like the Sydney Opera House.

Contemporary architecture

Contemporary architecture is architecture from after World War II to the present day and generally reflects an international style of architecture, although regional styles prevail; 

Postmodern architecture

Postmodern architecture emerged during late 20th Century and was influenced by modernism but with a more expressive nature than its predecessor. Characterized by playfulness, eclecticism and a rejection of the architecture styles that came before it.