Australian Architecture

Early colonial 1800-1840Victorian1840-1890

Federation 1890-1920Between the Wars

1920-1945Modernism 1945-today

Postmodernism-1970-today

Early Colonial 1800-1840

Built using whatever materials were available. Usually gum tree wood. Tiles or shingles were made from tree bark.

The verandah was a feature that became common due to the Australian climate.

Early Colonial 1800-1840

As Australians became wealthier some were able to build in stone in the symetrical Georgian style common in England. Roofs were the gable style.

This is Cadman’s Cottage (1830) in the Rocks, Sydney.

Early Colonial 1800-1840

The very wealthy also chose to build in the fashionable Georgian Style.

Victorian1840-1890

As Australia began to make its own bricks and corrugated sheet metal they became common in houses. This example has a hipped roof and a wrap around verandah. This was a vernacular style which means it developed because of the unique environment. This style has remained popular.

Victorian1840-1890Italianate style

The industrial revolution meant mass production of iron lace, ceramic tiles and plate glass. The discovery of gold brought great wealth and this was displayed in housing. Often very decorative.

Victorian1840-1890Italianate style

Victorian1840-1890Italianate inspired

Victorian1840-1890Victorian Gothic

This style imitated churches which were built in this style.

They had steep pointy roofs in the gable style. The barge boards at the front of the roof were very decorative.

Victorian1840-1890Victorian Gothic

FederationFederation 1890-1920

In 1901 all the separate colonies in Australia joined together into one big country.It was a wealthy time for Australia

and the beginning of the Federation style.

It had lots of decorative features and the workmanship was often of a high standard.

Windows were often multi coloured and the rising sun motif was common.

Federation 1890-1920

Federation 1890-1920

Between the Wars1920-1945

Californian Bungalow 1920’s

This style was the most popular in Australia in the 20 th century. It was a style brought in from California which had a similar climate. The style was low pitched roofs with simple barge boards. Heavily built verandah used as a sleep out.

Small windows to keep the light out.

Between the Wars1920-1945

Californian Bungalow 1920’s

Between the Wars 1920-1945Art Deco – P+O style’s 1930’s

Art Deco was a popular style in Europe. It was often fused with the look of some of the streamlined ocean liners often seen in Australia at the time.

Shapes were geometric , roofs often flat, It was an early modern style

Between the Wars 1920-1945Art Deco

Modernism 1945-today

After the war styles were much simpler and materials in short supply. Australia had to house a rapidly growing population and materials like fibro became common. Minimal decoration.

Modernism 1945-today

Modernism 1945-today

After world war 2 styles became much simpler. Minimal decoration.

Modernism 1945-today

This was known as the abstract style. It took inspiration from modern Art. It became more common to let the light in. Designers became much more playful with shapes and ideas.

Modernism 1945-today

Modernism 1945-today

Modernism 1945-today

Modernism 1945-todayEnvironmental design

Modernism 1945-todayEnvironmental design

Modernism 1945-todayEnvironmental design

Modernism 1945-todayEnvironmental design

Postmodernism-1970-today

Towards the end of the 1960’s modernism had become very plain and dull in many cities. Designers began to using decorative styles in their designs. In modern estates of today many of the decorative features are taken from previous styles like Federation, Art deco , or Victorian