Edwardian architecture explained

Edwardian architecture usually means a Neo-Baroque architectural style that was popular for public buildings in the British Empire during the Edwardian era (1901–1910). Architecture up to 1914 is commonly included in this style.

It can also be used to mean various styles in middle-class housing, including relaxed versions of Arts and Crafts architecture.

Description

Edwardian architecture is generally less ornate than high or late Victorian architecture,[1] apart from a subset – used for major buildings – known as Edwardian Baroque architecture.

The Victorian Society campaigns to preserve architecture built between 1837 and 1914, and so includes Edwardian as well as Victorian architecture within its remit.[2]

Characteristics

The characteristic features of the Edwardian Baroque style were drawn from two main sources: the architecture of France during the 18th century and that of Sir Christopher Wren in England during the 17th—part of the English Baroque (for this reason Edwardian Baroque is sometimes referred to as "Wrenaissance"). Sir Edwin Lutyens was a major exponent, designing many commercial buildings in what he termed 'the Grand Style' during the later 1910s and 1920s. This period of British architectural history is considered a particularly retrospective one, since it is contemporary with Art Nouveau.

Typical details of Edwardian Baroque architecture include extensive rustication, usually more extreme at ground level, often running into and exaggerating the voussoirs of arched openings (derived from French models); domed corner rooftop pavilions and a central taller tower-like element creating a lively rooftop silhouette; revived Italian Baroque elements such as exaggerated keystones, segmental arched pediments, columns with engaged blocks, attached block-like rustication to window surrounds; colonnades of (sometimes paired) columns in the Ionic order and domed towers modelled closely on Wren's for the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Some Edwardian Baroque buildings include details from other sources, such as the Dutch gables of Norman Shaw's Piccadilly Hotel in London.

Other characteristics include:

Architectural influences

Notable examples

United Kingdom

Argentina

Australia

Canada

Hong Kong

Victoria City
Kowloon

India

Ireland

Malaysia

New Zealand

Singapore

South Africa

Sri Lanka

Taiwan

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bricks & Brass: Edwardian Style . Bricksandbrass.co.uk . 2016-10-25.
  2. Web site: What we do . The Victorian Society . 2016-10-25.
  3. Book: Evans, Ian. The Federation House. Flannel Flower Press. Mullumbimby, NSW. 1999. 1986. 1-875253-11-4 . 8.
  4. Book: Antram. Pevsner. Nikolaus. Nikolaus Pevsner. Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove. The Buildings of England. Yale University Press. London. 2013. 978-0-300-18473-0. 247.
  5. Web site: History of the College - About Us - Belfast Met.
  6. Book: Antram. Morrice. Richard. Brighton and Hove. Pevsner Architectural Guides. Yale University Press. London. 2008. 978-0-300-12661-7. 165.
  7. Web site: Department of Education Building . . . 9 February 2015 . 30 December 2016.
  8. Web site: Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources - Ford Motor Company of Canada Warehouse. 2022-02-03. 2022-02-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203111318/https://www.calgary.ca/content/www/en/home/pda/pd/heritage-planning/discover-historic-calgary-resources.html.html?dhcResourceId=832. bot: unknown.

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