Since the mid-19th century, Australian residential architecture has evolved many different styles on the basis of absorbing the characteristics of British and American architecture.
From the California style, which embodies Hollywood's influence on Australian culture, to the postwar architecture, which represents stability and development, every architectural style reflects the way of life, cultural atmosphere and economic environment of Australia in that era.
Today, let's introduce six of the most representative Australian architectural styles.
1. Victorian period
Victorian architecture is an inclusive term that refers to several architectural styles that emerged during Queen Victoria's reign between 1840 and 1901.
Most of these houses are located in some of the oldest neighborhoods or towns in the city, such as Melbourne's Carlton district. Victorian residences have long been loved by buyers for their long history, excellent geographical location and gorgeous decorative style.
Victorian architecture was divided into three periods: early (1804-1860), middle (1861-1875) and late (1876-1901).
The early residential style was concise and regular, with little decoration. These houses are brick buildings with slant-pointed roofs made of corrugated steel, porcelain or stone. This is the typical style of a worker's bungalow.
Mid-term homes are similar to earlier ones, except for more adornment, such as the front of the house usually painted and the front porch laced with cast iron. The interior includes polished wood floors, brightly colored windows and decorated ceilings.
Late Victorian residences absorb Italian architectural features and are more gorgeous in appearance. The color of the house is sharper and bolder than that of the earlier buildings, and the exterior walls are mostly made of multi-colored tiles and ceramic tiles of various styles.
2. Edward's Age (1900 / 1915)
Edward-era architecture, also known as federal style, was largely influenced by Victorian and Queen Anne architecture (1895 / 1910), and houses were mostly independent or semi-independent. The exterior walls are mostly red brick and plank, often equipped with rainboards, roofs are mostly stone slabs, triangular eaves, windows are often wooden frame structure, decorated with lights.
The use of window glass was also very popular during this period.
This style of housing was a mainstream building until the beginning of World War I, and, like Victorian homes, most Edward-era homes were located in the CBD district.
3. California style (Californian Bungalow)
After World War I, with the rise of the United States, American culture began to influence the world, and the architectural style of Australia was also deeply influenced by the United States.
California-style homes are mostly single-story, simple in style. One of its most striking features is that the porch at the front door is supported by large columns. The roof is a sloping triangle, made of tiles or pottery.
The California-style housing is also adapted to local conditions and combines the characteristics of local building materials. In Melbourne, for example, it uses mostly red brick, while in Sydney it uses black brick. Some houses in South Australia use limestone. Kunzhou, on the other hand, uses more wood.
The interior layout is simple, the wall generally has the wooden decorative line, the window is mostly wooden double suspension type.
California-style housing is more common in suburbs 10 to 20 kilometers from the center of the city, and is generally large in size, so it is still popular today.
4. Interwa
The interwar period refers to the period between 1918 and 1938 between the two world wars.
Most of the residential buildings in this period are single-story buildings, covering a large area, very simple style, decoration is generally limited to entrances, chimneys and facade walls. This reflects the economic environment at that time and the transition to modernization.
The building features red bricks, whitewashed walls, and rain shields.
Although most of the houses in this period were practical and less decorated, they were also influenced by the revival and decor style of Spain and Georgia.
5. Postwar architecture
Demand for housing has skyrocketed in postwar baby boomers and immigrants, with single-story, double-and three-story brick buildings becoming the main building styles.
Features of this period include wrought-iron porch, barbed-wire doors, brick facade exterior walls and double-position garages.
Interior decoration uses oil blanket, rubber floor and cement tile. The ceiling is lower than the previous building. Most double-and three-story homes are located 20 kilometers away from the center of the city, and the selling points include 1000 square meters of floor space and flexibility in decoration.
Melbourne has a large number of postwar buildings, many of which are on the list of monuments, but are also questioned because of the lack of grandiose and jewel decorating designs during this period. Critics say the buildings do not deserve to be historic sites because they are ugly and unsightly.
6. Postmodern style
Since the 1950s and 1960s, more and more residential styles have incorporated modern architectural styles, bright large windows, flat roofs, different front faces, and so on.
The interior of a house is often open, and its design makes it more economical to use building materials.
The main features include non-color rendering, clean exterior walls, square, floor windows, flat roofs and almost no tiles.
The architecture has become popular again in the last 20 years by injecting new elements and ideas.
