Various architecture styles around Australia | The most popular types of architects
It is very interesting to see how Australian architecture has developed over the years. From the indigenous Australians to the styles that developed under the influence of the British empire to the time of World War II – there are so many styles that we can mention. Today, we will do a short survey of all the popular architectural styles that can be noticed in Australia’s history!
Various Architecture Styles Around Australia
Some of the notable architectural styles that we will mention today are Victorian, Edwardian, Federation, Colonial, Italianate, Contemporary, Art Deco, and the fibro architecture of the 1950s. We will mention some of the characteristics of these styles or what is it that makes these styles so noteworthy.
Victorian Architecture
One of the first things that you need to know about Victorian architecture is that it is divided into three periods – early, mid, and late. Victorian-style houses were made from bricks, they had front verandahs and pitched roofs.
Edwardian Architecture
Edwardian architecture is sometimes used interchangeably with Federation architecture because they date from roughly the same period. Edwardian homes usually had decorative brickwork with colourful windows of stained glass, ceilings made from pressed metal, and terracotta roofs. You could also see decorative timber features and large corridors in Edwardian homes.
Federation Architecture
The federation-style architecture was at its peak during the late 19th and early 20th century. As we mentioned, this architectural style was similar to the Edwardian style but it also had some characteristics similar to the Queen Anne style.
Colonial Architecture
The Australian Colonial architectural style is a development of the Georgian style. Houses built in this style had symmetrical facades and the main entry was usually flanked by up to four other openings.
Italianate Architecture
Houses built in the Italianate architectural style were usually several stories tall and quite wide, they had a low-pitched roof and overall a very symmetrical shape. Usually, you could see windows and doors with heavy moulding, as well as some square cupolas on these houses.
Modern Architecture / Contemporary Architecture
We are all pretty familiar with contemporary architecture as we see it often. Some of its features are open-plan areas that feature a kitchen, a dining room, and a living area.
Art Deco Architecture
The Art Deco style was very popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Houses built in this style have curved facades, some geometric elements, and windows with metal frames. You could usually find some light coloured features on these houses, but they were always contracted with other black features.
1950s Fibro Architecture
Fibro houses built in the 1950s are a big part of the Australian experience. This type of houses jolly and colourful, people found them quite delightful to live in and they were not even that expensive to build.
The Most Popular Types of Architects
Architects are people who create and overlook the process of building just about anything. Depending on their area of expertise, they can be divided into several groups. Today, we will mention 8 different types of architects and what they specialize in. So, let’s get to it!
Commercial Architect
Commercial architects usually design commercial buildings like malls, museums, hotels, hospitals, office towers, and other types of commercial properties. They are known for making amazing practical but functional buildings.
Residential Architect
Residential architects are architects that design private houses or homes for clients or real estate developers. They usually have the task of hearing the client’s wishes and using them to design a dream home, all within the budget and local building codes.
Sustainable Architect
Sustainable architecture is becoming more popular than ever with people realizing the need to use sustainable materials and designs. These sustainable architects help people create buildings that will be both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Industrial Architect
Industrial architects usually deal with designing industrial buildings, including factories, power plants, terminals, warehouses, other types of storage buildings and facilities. They have to think about the machinery and equipment that an industrial building will need and how it will all fit within a limited space.
Conservation Architect
Conservation architects usually offer advice on how to conserve a special property like a historical building, museum, castle or palace. To do their job properly, they have to be aware of the laws and regulations of restoring special properties like the above-mentioned ones.
Landscape Architect
Landscape architects come up with designs for outdoor spaces like gardens, parks, recreational spaces, and all types of outdoor areas. They have special horticulture knowledge that helps them determine which types of plants fit a climate best and how they should be arranged to make the area look as good as possible.
Urban Designer
Urban architects usually design plans for urban areas. They do not deal with individual buildings but with whole areas like a part of a city or the city as a whole. They make plans that include both residential and commercial properties.
Interior Architect
Last but not least, we have interior architects. Their job is a bit of art and a bit of science. With the help of both, they come up with the best design solutions for certain indoor areas.
