Architecture Classes | The Value of Early American Architecture

Newton Drury stated, "There are certain values in our landscape that ought to be sustained against destruction or impairment; though their worth cannot be expressed in money terms.

Traditional architectural design virtually disappeared during the rise of modern architecture. Americans are showing they want more than the sleek disigns of modern architecture. The past decade has brought a rebirth of interest in early American architectural accents.

Home and business owners are looking to the past to determine what works and what is appealing.

Traditional architecture focuses on architecture and design, holding to the belief that by integrating architecture and design all projects benefit. There is an art to proper building and the appropriate use of architectural accents for each building type, beauty being the ultimate goal.

The choice of the best materials and design will provide a long term investment. By working with a finely tuned eye, a design begins with the building's role in the environment. There is an art to appropriate use of architectural accents for each building type.

American architecture began during the 17th century, when our forefathers came to North America. The settlers brought with them varies building techniques from their homeland. Being creative and adapting to the climate, skills and available building materials, they set out building quality construction which varied among the different settlements.

In New Orleans, the French government sent skill architects to produce the quality of buildings as in France. This is the only settlement at the time that had architects to produce the buildings.

The mansions in the South depicted Roman and Greek design. Building adobe structures, the Spanish settlers in the Southwest were influenced by the Native Americans. At the same time, New England went about building gabled buildings with Gothic inspiration.

In the 18th century the government and office buildings in Williamsburg, VA, were built with class and formal English architecture. President's George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were very interested in architecture and were very influential in the planning and building of Washington, DC.

Barns have been a large part of traditional American architecture, as every farm had a barn. Sears and Roebuck Co, as well as others sold tens of thousands of homes and barns all over the country. They were delivered by railroad and were assembled at the building site.

By the second half of the 19th century the trend of modern design was to use steel, cast iron and concrete to construct buildings. It was during this time the sky scrapers began being built. It was during this time the sky scrapers began being built. Glass and steel towers sprung up throughout the USA. The early American designs were replaced by the strong architectural statement of glass and steel.

By the 1960's, houses changed to have attached garages, front porches went out of style. It was during this time that family rooms were the gathering place, replacing the formal living room.

The United States was slow to recognize the value of our older historic buildings till the Mount Vernon restoration stirred awareness of American historic architecture. Federal grants for historic preservation became available and along with that a rebirth of craftsmanship.

People increasingly long to live with traditional design for the lasting value not only for the present but in the future. Quality construction does not become tired or dated, rather the elegant design will age gracefully. Good buildings will increase in value over time instead of decrease.

American character and integrity embodies traditional early American architecture. The elegant lines speak volumes about the values and priorities of our forefathers. The choice of the best materials and design will prove a long term investment, increasing in value throughout the years.

Copyright (c) 2009 Elda Titus

Elda Titus, owner of Prairie Rose Country, an on-line business, bringing back traditional early American architectural accents, selling top quality, unique, louvered, window and custom cupolas. We offer quality cupolas, to capture the spirit of early American architecture. These accents are functional and designed to accept a weathervane. To learn more about these high quality cupolas and weathervanes visit at http://PrairieRoseCountry.com

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