Table of Contents
Introduction
To keen observers, the modern architectural designs are derived from the ancient architectural, historical design. Quality is still an important term in construction. “Fashion never fades as something that at one time was considered obsolete over the times becomes new again” this phrase resonates true with the current design vogues. This aspect is also true when it comes to the Victoria Era’s architecture that continues to influence modern architecture and fashion.
In analyzing Victorian design, it is apparent that the same is true concerning Interior Design and home furnishing styles. Assiduously, the Victorian style in the main was lavishly ornate and significantly exaggerated, but there are there are substantive appreciable factors, which have made it withstand the tests of time, and its influence is still felt to date. One of the architectural areas designs where Victoria Era continues to exert influence regards the geometric floor tiles. In the ancient Victorian era, floor tiles were very much stylish in entry halls to welcome visitors1.
The use of geometric and encaustic tiled floors in public buildings became the ascendance from 1860’s. Many churches adopted these architectural designs the more expensive Victorian villas. The advancement to this trend was influenced by their use in such prestigious buildings such as the as the Albert Museum. By 1890s, many homeowners had also adopted this craze. Soon, the trend became an essential feature in the country landscape, and most ordinary homes were constructed in the forms of the Victorian terraced houses. Extra augmenting to prestige features and color to a Victorian hall was that they were also remarkably adorable and easy to construct.
Victorian architecture is a sequence of architectural revitalization styles that were used from the mid-19th century to the late 19th century. The term Victorian was derived from the queen of England who ruled from the year 1837 to 1901, this period was referred to as the Victorian era. It was during the Victorian era that the Victorian styles were mostly used in various constructions. Many components of the Victorian architecture were made popular during late Victoria’s regime. These styles mainly included electric recoveries and different interpretations of the various historical styles that were mixed with introduction of the Asian and Middle Eastern influences. The term Victorian era represents both the French and the British customs where they usually name the styles of architecture according to the monarchy that is currently reigning. The first one was the Georgian architecture, which was followed, by the Regency architecture and the Edwardian architecture succeeded.
Elliot Rae was a famous architecture who inspired many complicated window frames of the Victorian architecture. One of the window frames inspired by him that has greatly been used in the modern architecture and fashion designs is the famous ‘Gothic Revival.’ The Victorian Gothic was an epic style of architecture that inspired the building of very many buildings with a similar style. Even though it began in England, the gothic style still lives on as many architectures still build stylish houses using the Gothic style. This style became popular especially in the building of churches. The Gothic style was invented in order to remodel the primitive buildings to make them blend well with the olden styles. An architect adopted the Gothic style by the name Walpole who moved various decorative fundamentals of exterior old-fashioned Gothic. As compared to the houses being built by today’s architectures, Walpole had adorned rooms that had crooked arches and ceilings that were cusped like.
Works of people like Robert Adam, a specialist of architecture famous for using the neo-classical architecture style have inspired architects. Many buildings in the modern day have been created using this style. During the 19th century, most of the architectures were using the Gothic style since it appeared to be more appealing through the various decorative styles that were used including the coloring and the carvings. These styles are evident in many building structures in the today world; constructors tend to borrow knowledge from the Gothic style of construction.
Even though some of the 21st century buildings have been built using the Victorian architecture, some of the features have been changed or rather improved, architectures tend to borrow the main ideas from these ancient style but they also come up with other inventions to create a more appealing structure. A good example is the neoclassical architecture. This style was invented by the ‘neoclassical movement’, which began during the 18th century. This style was originally derived from the principles of Vitruvian, and the design of classical antiquity including the work of Andres Palladio who was an Italian architect. This style was usually known as the Classicism in the Eastern and Central Europe while today it is referred to as neoclassicism by the newer styles of revival.
The knowledge of Neoclassical architecture has been applied today in the building of various structures especially schools. The Stourhead house which was designed an architecture by the name Colen Campbell is a good example of a building which has influenced the construction of very many buildings in the present day. These types of buildings were known to be not only stylish but also very strong and durable. The forefront of these buildings was aristocratic. The foremost block of the building had its wings elevated in an implicated manner and their walls seemed to be a bit thicker. This feature has been used in the construction of many buildings in the United States.
Another style that existed during the Victorian era was the ‘Italianate’ style, which was often included in the picturesque movement. This style originally originated from England, it was as a reaction to the formalism that was very rigid with the aim of dominating the architecture of the 19th century. This style had been derived from the rambling farmhouses of Italy, which were mainly constructed by masons using informal detailing, and characteristic towers, which were square.
Since the Italianate was spreading vastly, architects from the United States started using hints from its origin, which was Italy, and they started transforming the Italianate to an American structure but still the styles borrowed were evident in their buildings. In trying to do what the United States architects did, the 21st century architects have also tried to borrow some knowledge of the Italianate in the construction of newer structures but it is still evident that the buildings resemble the Italianate. Using notes from the 19th century, the today’s architectures are able to construct stylish and impressive buildings using the knowledge of great architects who existed during the Victorian era like Andrew Jackson and Sir Charles Barry.
Looking at the major towns, it is clear that the building structures greatly resemble those of the Victorian era. This shows that the creations that originated from the Victorian era did not die with the end of the Victorian era. A good example of a building style that existed during the Victorian era is the ‘Palladianism.’ As a response to Rococo style, there was a return to a classical form of architecture that can easily be detected in some of the buildings in Europe. These styles were represented in the Palladian architecture. The English people seemed to be less interested in the Baroque style. That is the main reason why it is not common in the 21st century. Architects from the 21st century take more interest in special ancient buildings that were famous and very decorative like the ‘Woburn Abbey that was originally designed by a student by the name Henry Flitcroft.
In order to ensure that the 19th architecture knowledge lived on, four books that were very influential were published. This books mainly highlighted on the purity and simplicity of classical architecture. These books have additional designs, which can help an architecture to create something more creative. They contain examples of great building structures and the procedures on how they were constructed. It is through this books that present day architectures get to understand how those buildings were constructed and how the various designs can be applied. The books also contained architectural designs of various buildings that were famous in the British Empire. Various famous architects ranging from Palladio to Vitruvius inspired these buildings.
Inspired by the rediscoveries found at Herculaneum and Pompeii, genuine standard interior was discovered by neoclassicism. Exterior architecture was being converted to interior architecture. It turned out great that many architects began using these styles. Various techniques were used during construction; they included lighter motifs and flatters. This knowledge has been applied in the construction of modern buildings of this century. The school designs were different during the Victorian era, this was mainly because there were various interventions, and all of them were critical. For instance, the interior designs of these buildings was quite complex. Nowadays most of the building’s interior designs are a bit complex, this shows that the modern architects have borrowed some knowledge from architects who existed in the Victorian era.
Many of the books that were published during the Victorian era are the ones used in the modern day to teach upcoming architectures on ways of being creative. These learners get inspiration from great architects like James Adam and Robert who inaugurated a new chapter in the neoclassical design. The two brothers later published The Works in Architecture, a book that had various complex designs. This book demonstrated the major buildings that the two brothers had specifically worked on and they had critically acknowledged the fittings, interiors, and furniture used.
The ancient builders looked at every assignment as an opportunity to excel. The treasures of metal, wood, stone, and glass used during the construction of these houses are a testimony of loyalty to high standards. The average Victorian houses were constructed to withstand the tests of time. This fact accounts for the reasons why most of these houses domestic interior tiled floors have weathered 100 years of family wear and tear. In the history of construction industry very few buildings, other floor structures can affect adequately much that durability, while maintaining such excellent looks. In present-day times, there has been an unprecedented use of these tiles. These tiles today are available in different patterns and colors at pocket-friendly prices for different segments of customers on the market and in different forms and colors. They so much resemble the ancient ones in look and the resurgence in the use of these tiles has been augmented by their durability and ability to withstand tensions occasioned by weather changes.
Many Victorian homes were designed with front porches decking out with balustrades, and bric-a-brac up to the ornamental aspects of their times. Indeed, they were fascinating structures for visitor’s reception or ideal for enjoying individual summer vocations. In many upcoming modern structures, the front porches, which harkens have been incorporated into new buildings by constructors who include traditional features such as shiplap and wood framed columns. The idea of the use of the porches has become once again an integral part of every American home construction design. Many constructors and homeowners indeed appreciate so much the evolution from medieval times up to now. If the hand skills of artisan have lost some of their characters and luster in our days, then the industrial revolution of the 19th century is partly to blame.
We can do it today.
In America, a more brilliant architecture emerged after the American Civil War when architecture detached from the Classical and transformed towards ornate details and with many homeowners showing much affinity for medieval- and gothic styles. Many of these homes were designed with a bay window, which created the illusion of a bigger space in a room. It also excellently allows light to penetrate the room and besides, it acts as an alternative to a balcony. Contemporarily, a Victorian Era design in which Bay windows are designed with such considerations in mind is a reality. No doubt, much of the design of the building in this era borrows heavily from the Victoria era. It also reveals significant points of interest to our observation of the emerging building trends concerning the influence that the Victorian design has.
In conclusion, although the Victoria era designs were exaggerated in some ways, they had certain appealing aspects that have stood the test of times. Accordingly, current architectural designers to improve the quality and beauty of constructions are using these features. To this end, the Victoria era designs are continuing to have impacts on the modern times based on how those ancient features are still incorporated. It is evident that the Victorian era architecture and fashion greatly influenced the modern day architecture and fashion. The designs invented during this period have greatly influenced the modern day architectures. It is evident that even though the buildings built using complex structures, the buildings were durable and lasted for long. It has also come up that most of these buildings were created using hard materials like hardwood timber. The knowledge of different types of architectural designs has been of great use in the creation of magnificent buildings of the 21st century.
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