Classic Victorian Architectual Influences In Modern and Contemporary Designs - Research Paper Example

ic Victorian Architectural Influences in Modern and Contemporary Designs ic Victorian Architectural Influences in Modern and Contemporary Designs The purpose of this paper is to do a research on the Classic Victorian Architectural influences in modern and contemporary buildings and design within California in the US. The paper concentrates on various issues such as when the Victoria style was introduced in California, how it was introduced, why it started, and the strength involved in the design and the design support (Helaine, 2003).

The time when Victoria style was introduced in California within the United States has been discussed in the book of “Creating Your Architectural Style: Design and Building a Fine Home”, by George D. Hopkins. In the mid-1800s, the Italian architecture had gained prominence in the United States and became popular especially in the major growth areas, the popularity extended across the country from Northeast to California (Hopkins, 2009). The stone homes or stucco were easily identifiable by the distinct Italian elements of design such as the campanile or belvedere, wide brackets supporting wide overhangs, low-pitched title roofs and heavy cornices.

The proliferation of Italian architecture in California enabled the Victorian era to embark on the production of several outstanding architectural styles that also became very popular (Helaine, 2003). As a result, it strengthened the need for the Classic Victorian Architectural design and buildings in California. Some of the newly introduced designs included; asymmetrical shape homes, towers, turrets, wrap-around houses, steeply pitched roofs and the ornament colorful Queen Ann homes that were distinguished the wood task details.

However, the Victorian design preceded these styles because they were composed of more elaborate styles. The Victorian design had several categorical forms such as the Gothic Revival, Richardson Romanesque, Second Empire styles and the Italianate (Hopkins, 2009). The start of modern Victoria design was strongly supported by the fact that modern architecture of 20th century could not agree with the past styles thus abandoning the historical styles for simplicity and severity. According to the international style, it dominated a design of high rate buildings which created austere rectilinear structures composed of modular facades, flat roofs and glass curtain walls ( Hopkins, 2009).

The prominent architects that established Victoria style in California included; Mies van der Rohe Walter Gropious and LeCorbusiet. The influence of the modern architect on the office buildings was more than its influence on the residential designs. The current period of design is described by the contemporary architecture tends to cover broad spectrum of the stylistic approaches. Some of the design styles that are presently classified as contemporary are; the post-modern which is a rejection of international style, the brutalism which is made up of structures that have bare concrete, the deconstructivism that consists of a distorted shape, the classic contemporary which is a traditional form and finally, the high-tech industrial design (Hopkins, 2009).

The book of “Arizona, the Grand Canyon State: A State Guide,” gives an illustration of how the Classic Victoria Architectural influences in modern and contemporary buildings and design in California was introduced. This book indicates that the Ladies Home Journal campaigned for homes that were more attractive. From this campaign, there was an effect upon the Far West that abated the tidal wave of Victoria style and the General alterations. After that, a bungalow with a veranda and low sweeping lines was introduced thus enabling the derivation of East Indian bungalow to become popular in California (Stine, 2005).

The design of these types of residences was with more ample fenestration and they also had organic simple lines. They had overhanging eaves that acted as roofs for surrounding porch and the houses were comparatively not expensive. The California missions had some distinguishing features that separated it from the Arizona and Texas missions. These differences were; the red clay tile or pitched roofs, massive round arches, grillwork and ornament ironwork. In certain situations when metals were not available, they would embark on wood that was painted black.

These differences came about because of topographic purposes as well as the climatic conditions of the missions. However, they had certain features that were general to all the parties such as massive walls, cloisters that were low shaded and the presence of patio (Dixon and Muthesius, 1998). In conclusion, the Classic Victorian architectural buildings and design was introduced in California in the 1800s by the Italian architectures. The state of California was the centre of the Victorian design of buildings in the United States because it was one of the fast growing states in the country.

The paper also indicates that the start of modern Victorian style got a strong support from the architects because they wanted to do away with the old historical designs. It has also discussed the reasons why the new style of design and buildings was started in California such as the need to improve on the housing style. Moreover, an illustration of how the introduction of Classic Victorian Architectural style was done is also in the paper as well as the strength involved in the design. This modern design of building houses in California totally changed the appearance of buildings in the state because they were very attractive.

The new roofing style, glass walls and stone walls enabled the state of California to match the international standards in terms of building design. References Hopkins, G. D. (2009). Creating your architectural style: Designing and building a fine home. Gretna, La: Pelican Publishing Co. Dixon, R. and Muthesius, S. (1998). Victorian architecture. Thames & Hudson. Helaine K, (2003). Rehab Right, Ten-Speed Press. Stine, L. (2005). Historic Old West End Toledo, Ohio. Bookmasters.