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AIM:�Architectural Styles of Residential Property Features Through Key Periods

Identify major architectural styles and their historical contexts.

Discuss the key characteristics of residential properties from different periods.

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

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Introduction

• Building surveyors face diverse challenges in their work: which structures are protected by conservation legislation?�• Understanding buildings from various historical periods can help during surveying before alterations or adaptations.

Timeline of periods to be covered (1485 - present).

Source.

Source

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Tudor and Elizabethan (1485 – 1603)

Steep roofs with multiple gables for efficient water drainage
Timber-framed construction techniques
Overhanging upper floors
Mullioned windows with small panes of glass
Tall chimneys and large fireplaces for heating
Examples: Little Moreton Hall, Hardwick Hall

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Georgian (1714 – 1830)

Symmetrical facades with balanced window placement
Sash windows with larger panes of glass
Classical proportions and details inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman architecture
Townhouses arranged around elegant squares
High ceilings and spacious rooms for entertaining
Use of local materials, such as Bath stone in the West Country
Examples: Royal Crescent in Bath, Bedford Square in London

Figure 1. Bedford square (A London Inheritance, no date).

Figure 2. The royal crescent in Bath (Visit West, 2025).

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Victorian (1837 – 1901)

Bay and sash windows to maximise natural light and street views
Ornate decorations, including intricate brickwork patterns (in Flemish bond)
Coloured brickwork and terracotta details
Terraced houses for working class families in urban areas
Porches. Slate roofs with decorative barge boards
Introduction of indoor plumbing and sanitation improvements
Use of mass-produced decorative elements due to industrial revolution
Shallow stepped brick footing with suspended timber floor
Examples: Osborne House in East Cowes, England,

The Palace of Westminster in London.

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Pre-war (1901 – 1939)

Influence of Arts and Crafts movement, emphasising craftsmanship
Rise of semi-detached and detached suburban houses
Use of cavity walls and concrete strip foundation
Mock Tudor and Neo-Georgian styles for middle-class homes
Garden city movement promoting planned, self-contained communities
Introduction of electricity and central heating in homes
Toilets and bathrooms, often separate rooms connected to mains drainage
Designated kitchen for the owner, separate for the servants.
Emphasis on improved living conditions and access to green spaces
Examples: Hampstead Garden Suburb, Welwyn Garden City

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Post-war (1945 – 1960)

Prefabricated housing to address post-war shortages
Development of New Towns to ease urban overcrowding (New Towns Act 1946): e.g. Cwmbran and Newtown in Wales
Rise of high-rise apartment blocks in urban areas: use of prefabrication - precast reinforced concrete, steel frames
Garages built at same time as house
Use of damp-proof membrane in concrete floors
Modernist influence in public housing design
Focus on functionality and efficiency in home design
Examples: Roehampton Estate, Park Hill in Sheffield

Figure 3. Alton West, Roehampton(Modern Architecture London, 2023).

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Modern (1930s – 1960s)

Flat roofs and large windows to maximise natural light
Emphasis on functionality over ornamentation
Asymmetrical designs; cubic or cylindrical forms
Use of new materials like reinforced concrete and steel
Integration of indoor and outdoor spaces through design
Minimalist aesthetics with clean lines and simple forms
Rejection of historical styles in favour of innovation
Introduction of open plan living spaces
White or cream render
Examples: Highpoint I and II in London, The Homewood in Surrey

Figure 4. Highpoint II (The Modern House, 2024)

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Post-modern (1960s – 1990s)

Eclectic mix of styles and reintroduction of ornamentation
Return to traditional forms with contemporary twists
Emphasis on individuality and personal expression in design
Introduction of sustainable design considerations
Blending of different architectural elements and materials
Structural variety and bright colours
Gable and sloping roof, often with concrete tiles and plastic guttering
Examples: TV-am Studios, No 1 Poultry in London, the cosmic house

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Contemporary (1990s onwards)

High-tech and eco-friendly design solutions
High-rise accommodations in cities
Mixed-use developments combining residential and commercial spaces
Integration of smart home technologies for improved efficiency
Focus on sustainability and energy efficiency in construction; double glazed uPVC, may not have chimneys
Adaptive reuse of industrial buildings for residential purposes
Emphasis on creating communities through thoughtful urban planning
Examples: The Shard, BedZED in London

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Self-assessment Task

For each of the architectural periods in the UK listed below:
Pre-war (1901 – 1939)
Post-war (1945 – 1960)
Modern (1930s – 1960s)
Post-modern (1960s – 1990s)
Contemporary (1990s onward)

Complete the following tasks:

a) Identify and name an iconic building from the period. (Only use examples in Wales).
b) Provide a brief description and a picture/image of the building.
c) List at least any three outstanding architectural features of the building that are characteristic of its period.

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References/Bibliography

A London Inheritance (no date) Bedford square. Available at: https://alondoninheritance.com/london-streets/bedford-square/ (Accessed: 27 August 2024)

Fraher&Findlay (2020) Understanding period home design: Georgian & Victorian. Available at: https://fraherandfindlay.com/page11319832.html (Accessed: 27 August 2024)

Hohenadel, K. (2024). What is vicotian architecture. Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/victorian-architecture-4769162 (Accessed: 27 August 2024)

Modern Architecture London (2023) Alton west, Roehampton. Available at: https://modernarchitecturelondon.com/buildings/alton-west.php (Accessed: 27 August 2024)

ORA Design Architecture (2024) Identifying georgian, victorian and edwardian homes. Available at: https://www.oradesign.co.uk/blog/identifying-georgian-victorian-and-edwardian-homes/ (Acessed: 27 August 2024)

Pearson (2017) BTEC national construction student book. London: Pearson.

The Modern House (2024) Highpoint II. Available at: https://www.themodernhouse.com/past-sales/highpoint-ii-north-hill-london-n6/ (Accessed: 27 August 2024)

Visit West (2025) The royal crescent. Available at: https://visitbath.co.uk/things-to-do/the-royal-crescent-p56191 (Accessed: 27 August 2025)