Monthly Archives: March 2017

Australian Architecture Series: California Bungalow

By | Uncategorized | No Comments
Today in our Australian Architecture Series we looking into the California Bungalow style. Yes you read that right, we know that California is in the United States, but the housing style is incredibly popular in Australia, even today.  The rise of the California Bungalow style in Australia from 1913 coincided with the expansion of the glamour Hollywood film industry. During this period there was increased popularity of American cars, furniture, clothes and even houses, which eventually brought the housing style down under to Australia.
Typical Features
  • Most commonly built in brick, but also in weatherboard and timber
  • Stained glass windows
  • Bay windows were common
  • Timber flooring
  • Front verandahs
  • Ballustrades built in timber and exposed or rendered brick
  • Triangular sloped roofs
  • One or one and a half storeys
  • Simple floor plan, designed for informal living
  • Normally a hallway entrance
  • Open living areas
  • Use of natural materials
  • Interiors designed decoratively
Purpose
Australia’s climate is incredibly similar to that of California’s, so the design climate elements suited well to warmer summers and mild winters. One of the key concept ideas of this housing style was its concept as a cheap to build, but still attractive housing style targeting the suburbs. The timber homes built in this style were marketed as a cheap solution to shortages in suburban housing. The style was also superbly suited to fit into the growing suburbs on the outskirts of the cities in Australia’s south, including Adelaide, Melbourne and Ballarat.
Significance Today
During the 1910s and 1920s, the construction of the California Bungalow surged in Australia, with people wanting to build a home with effort to incorporate local materials and promote informal, open living. These original homes are still ever present in Australia suburbs today, and their simple floor plan and low maintenance makes it easier for owners to renovate and expand.
Beautiful bungalow in Coburg, VIC (where many California Bungalows are in abundance). Takes note of the triangular roofing and small front verandah.
32 Queen Street, Coburg
(Photo: Domain)
A great example of the brick California Bungalow style, with protected front verandah and exposed brick. There is also the renovated second storey and side car port to observe, nice new touches to a classic style.
bungalow3
(Photo: Modern Australia)

Australian Architecture Series: Federation

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

Our Australian Architecture Series is focusing on the fabulous Federation style this week. ‘Federation Architecture’ is the style that became about between 1890 and 1915, and the name is most notably a reference to the Federation of Australia on January 1st 1901. Some of the influences of this architecture style include the Edwardian and Queen Anne styles from the United Kingdom. In this way, the Federation style is Australia’s own version of the Edwardian period (named after King Edward VII).


 

Typical Features

  • Front verandahs, with decorative timber features
  • White-painted window frames, including circular windows
  • Featuring of Australia flora and fauna
  • Complex gardens
  • Tiled patio flooring
  • Terracotta roof tiles
  • Tall chimneys
  • Decorative fretwork
  • Internal decorative work in the plasterwork
  • High ceilings
  • Filigree designs
  • Paved driveways and pathways

 

Purpose

This architecture style put great emphasis on the many things that make Australian a unique country, due to the historical influences from the country’s Federation around the same time. Because of this, there is great emphasis on Australian flora and fauna, both in architectural design and building features. Many Federation homes were also built with complex gardens that showcased local Australian plants, ultimately showing the proudness of the inhabitants of the new Commonwealth of Australia.

 

Significance Today

Many buildings, both residential and non-residential, are listed as part of the Register of the National Estate, because of their many unique heritage values. Although there were twelve significant styles that characterised the period of Federation architecture, today the style commonly refers to the many cottages in the Queen Anne style.


 

‘Caerelon’ was the first Federation (Queen Anne style) home in Australia. Located in Bellevue Hill in News South Wales, it is listed on the Register of the National Estate. Take note of the white, circular windows, tall chimney and front verandah.

caerleon_bellevue_hill-159-1170-625-80 Photo: Weir Phillips Architects.

 

‘Abyia’ in Pymble, New South Wales is a great example of the complexity and sophistication of the gardens added to Federations homes.

2009519676_2_FS

Photo: Federation-Houses, Wikispaces

 


Stay tuned next week for our next blog in our Australia Architecture Series.

#theesptouch #federation #espdevelopments #aussiearchitecture #aussiehistory

New Project in Tarragindi

By | brisbanehomebuilding, homerenovation, homextension, qldconstruction, queenslander | No Comments

This week, we are beginning a new project in Tarragindi. We started off with a bang this week, installing glass, sliding doors on the front of the home, as well as the installation of some windows in the main living room (that also doubles as the Entrance room to the home).

Both the glass doors and windows will help bring in a lot of natural sunlight into the family living room. Stay posted for more updates on this new project!

#lettherebelight #tarragindi #espsevelopments #brisbanehomes #constructiontarragindi #theesptouch #homerenovation