Introduction
A journey through the history of humanity reveals that every aspect of human existence has evolved massively to get to its current state. Residential architecture has not been an exception to this evolution. The prehistoric architecture was nothing other than earthen mounds, stone circles and megaliths. However, with the advent of civilization and industrialization, residential architecture made a complete turnaround. Presently, residential buildings are a spectacular sight. This transformation spanned several centuries and brought forth a variety of distinct architectural styles. Some of these styles include Prairie, Victorian, Gothic, Georgian, Neoclassical, and Bungalow among many others. Each of these architectural styles had its heyday in America. Consequently, American homes are a complex array of different architectural designs. This paper examines the Victorian and Prairie architectural designs in a bid to delineate the defining features of each style as well as their similarities and differences.
Overview of Victorian Architecture
Victorian architecture refers to the architecture that emerged during the reign of Queen Victoria (Gray para. 1). In Britain where it originated, this architectural style was prevalent between the mid-1830s and the early 1900s (Gray para. 1). In other words, the popularity of this style waned with the demise of Queen Victoria in 1901. The style originated in Britain, but soon found its way to other parts of the world including America. Apart from America, Victorian Architecture is found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (Bandon, para. 1). Victorian architecture became popular in America around the 1860s and maintained its popularity until the demise of Queen Victoria in 1901 (Bandon para. 1).
Victorian architecture was inspired by the desire to have state-of-the-art homes that would impress guests. This orientation towards beauty was further fueled by the industrial revolution, which placed plenty of options at the disposal of architects. Therefore, as Bandon (para. 1) notes, Victorian architecture was underpinned by aesthetic value rather than functionality. It is important to note that this architectural style encompasses several closely related sub-styles that were popular during this era. These include British Arts and Crafts movement, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Second Empire, and Stick-Eastlake among others (Bandon para. 1). As already noted, these styles share common characteristic features that qualify them Victorian architecture. Some of these features include extensive ornamentation, bay windows, porches, turrets, gables, mansard roofs, bargeboards, terraces, stained glass, and dormers among others. Additionally, Victorian homes are characterized by multi-faceted roof lines, elaborate designs and bright colors.
Several architects have been touted as the main proponents of the different sub-styles of Victorian architecture. For example, Charles Eastlake is touted as the main proponent of the Victorian Eastlake sub-style (Gray para. 2). Similarly, Richard Norman Shaw was the major force behind the Queen Anne sub-style (Gray para. 4). Alfred B. Mullett for his part features as one of the most illustrious proponents of the Second Empire sub-style (Gray para. 4). Finally, Henry Hobson Richardson is acknowledged as the most outstanding proponent of the Richardsonian Romanesque sub-style (Gray para. 5).
Victorian Architecture is widespread across America to date. Key examples of Victorian architecture in America include Trinity Church in Boston, Hinds House in Santa Cruz, California and the Astral Apartments in Brooklyn, New York (Gray para. 8). Many other examples of Victorian architecture litter both rural and urban settlements in America.
Overview of Prairie Style Architecture
The prairie style emerged in America around 1893 and remained popular in the Midwest until around 1920 (Craven para. 1). Frank Lloyd Wright developed the style due to his dislike for Victorian architecture that was widespread at the time (Craven para. 2). His argument was that Victorian houses were characterized by closed rooms, which limited family contact time since people would hide in their rooms most of the time. Therefore, he came up with the Prairie style, which features open floor spaces to solve the problem by increasing family contact within the house. In addition, the Prairie style sought to blend with the prairie landscape that characterizes the Midwestern parts of America. Apparently, it was the first truly American architectural style.
The main features that characterize Prairie houses include low-pitched hipped roofs, prominent horizontal details, overhanging eaves, continuous bands of windows that blend with detail, and suppressed heavy-set chimneys among others (Bastian 50). Although the style incorporates some element of embellishment, the emphasis of the Prairie style lies in the functionality of the house rather than its aesthetic value (Craven para. 4).
The name of Frank Lloyd Wright is almost synonymous with the Prairie style. However, Wright simply played a lead role in a group of several architects. Apart from Frank Lloyd Wright, other architects in this category included Louis H. Sullivan, Robert C. Spencer, Jr., Myron Hunt, Dwight H. Perkins, Walter Burley Griffin, and most notably, Marion Mahony Griffin who was the first female architect to be licensed in America (Craven para. 8).
Buildings that were built using the Prairie style include the Frederic C. Robie House in Chicago, which is touted as Wright’s finest masterpiece of the style (Craven para. 6). Other examples include the William Winslow residence in River Forest, Illinois, the Arthur Heurtley house in Oak Park, Illinois and the Frank W. Thomas house in Oak Park, Illinois (Craven para. 10).
Comparison of Victorian Architecture and Prairie Style Architecture
These two architectural styles differ in almost every aspect of their detail. To begin with, Victorian houses are well known for their numerous rooms and limited floor space. The Prairie style departs from this layout by featuring large open spaces that were intended to increase contact among family members. Wright believed that Victorian architecture was responsible for reduced cohesion in American families because family members locked themselves away in their rooms. Consequently, Prairie houses have an open floor plan that ensures that family members are exposed to one another almost all the time. This attribute marks a major difference between Prairie and Victorian architecture.
Another major difference between the two architectural styles is in the overall appearance of buildings. Victorian houses are flamboyantly designed and are extensively embellished. Their colorful appearance and elaborate gables further accentuate their conspicuous appearance. The case is quite different with Prairie houses. They are marked with a modest decoration style that places emphasis on horizontal details. Prairie houses feature wide overhanging eaves and low slope roofs that clearly distinguish them from Victorian houses. Further, although both styles boast of a chimney, Victorian houses have small chimneys that are situated at one corner of the house while Prairie houses have prominent centrally placed chimneys.
Moreover, the facade of a Victorian house is asymmetrical in the overall sense while that of Prairie houses is symmetrical. The positioning of windows of and doors also differentiates the two styles. Victorian houses have their windows and doors well balanced within the front elevation of the building. Prairie houses on the other hand, feature windows that are grouped in bands with a common projecting sill. The main entrance of a Prairie house is often hidden from the front.
However, despite the many differences that exist between the two styles, they also share some common features. Firstly, both styles incorporate porches in their designs. The shape and positioning of the porch is different in each case, but it is an important feature of each style. Secondly, both Victorian and Prairie houses feature hipped roofs. The contrast between their roofs is sharp because Victorian roofs are steep while Prairie roofs have low slopes. However, the bottom line is that both of them have hipped roofs. Another key similarity between the two styles is that both can be adjusted to fit the needs of a particular area. The Folk Victorian sub-style is a good example of modification to the Victorian style to blend with the requirements and abilities of residents of rural America. Similarly, the Prairie style was fashioned to blend with the prairie landscape of Midwestern America.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although the two architectural styles are easily considerable as opposites of each other, the many differences that exist between them leave some room for a few similarities. Like the Victorian style, the Prairie style found its way out of its country of origin to places such as Europe and Australia. Therefore, these two styles were appreciated by many and are still in use today across the entire world. What makes the difference is the taste and preference of an individual as well as the main reason behind an individual’s desire for a home. Otherwise, the two styles both give beautiful homes that can make a homeowner proud.
Works Cited
Bandon, Alexandra. American House Styles. This Old House, n.d. Web.
Bastian, Robert W. “The Prairie Style House: Spatial Diffusion of a Minor Design.” Journal of Cultural Geography 1.1 (1980): 50-65. Print.
Craven, Jackie. The Prairie House Style. About.com Architecture, n.d. Web.
Gray, Liz. Victorian Architecture: Home Styles. HGTV, n.d. Web.