Directory of Architectural Styles for Riverside Avondale Historic District
The Riverside - Avondale Historic District contains a variety of architectural styles popular between the 1880's and the 1930's. Although the range of styles varied from the formal to the more vernacular, most of the buildings have exterior features reflective of one or more architectural styles. For example, over 60% of the houses in Riverside are bungalows or show influence of that style. Other styles and architectural influences found in Riverside include the Prairie School, Mediterranean Revival, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Neo-Classical, Shingle Style, Tudor Revival and Art Moderne. Being develop later than Riverside, Avondale contains houses designed in the revival styles popular during the first quarter of the twentieth century. In particular, these styles include the Mediterranean Revival, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival, Prairie School and Bungalow.
The directory of styles, which immediately follows this page, is a general description of the major architectural styles found in Riverside and Avondale. The glossary in the appendices define many of the architectural terms used in the description of styles. There are several factors that may affect the dating of houses or buildings based on style. First many styles have persisted over a long period of time or lingered beyond their period of popularity. Second, many older houses have been "modernized", resulting in a change of style. As noted above, during the first quarter of the century, there has been a mixing of stylistic elements resulting in fewer "pure styles".
Therefore, care should be taken when trying to date or attach a specific style of architecture to an older house or building. A good architectural style book such as A Field Guide to American Houses, by Virginia and Lee McAlester (New York, 1984) is valuable in providing an explanation of the characteristics of each style, as well as the period of popularity of that style.
FRAME VERNACULAR (1880-1930)
Frame vernacular is the common wood frame construction of self-taught builders. This type of architecture is the product of the builder's experience, available resources, and responses to the local environment. Vernacular architecture is common in Riverside, but rare in Avondale, where design standards, model homes, and professionally trained architects exerted a strong influence.
Frame vernacular architecture in the districts exhibits common features. The ground plan of buildings is generally regular, rectangular in form, with the narrow side frequently facing the street. Prior to 1920 height was two stories, but afterwards often diminished to one story. Framing rests on pier foundations, commonly brick or concrete block. Exterior sheathing is usually horizontal wood siding, either weatherboard or drop type. Roof types are gable or hip covered with V-crimp or embossed sheet metal or composition or asbestos shingles. Brick chimneys are common features. Windows are double-hung sash, either 1/1 or 2/2 light. Doors are panel type, and entrances are unadorned. One-story full facade width, entrance porches and verandas are common. Some porches have upper galleries, and frequently contain decorative features such as jig-sawn brackets, spindles, and other woodwork. Many frame vernacular buildings in the three districts often exhibit at least some stylistic details. The most common influences are the Colonial Revival and the Bungalow.
Characteristics::
1. Plan: regular, rectangular.
2. Foundation: Pier, brick or concrete.
3. Height: two stories; post-1920 one story.
4. Primary exterior material: horizontal wood siding; less common wood shingles.
5. Roof type: gable, hip.
6. Roof surfacing: sheet metal, composition shingles.
7. Ornamentation: simple; usually jig-sawn woodwork on porches or around eaves; corbeling on chimneys.
MASONRY VERNACULAR (1900-1940)
Masonry vernacular buildings are generally brick or stucco and are either one or two stories in height. In Avondale masonry vernacular buildings are predominately residences and in Riverside most are small apartments or commercial buildings with fixed glass storefronts, dating from the 1910-1920 period. Ornamentation is simple, usually cast concrete detailing or decorative brick work such as corbeling. Roofs are usually hip or flat built-up types with parapet on commercial buildings.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: regular, rectangular.
2. Foundation: continuous or slab (commercial), brick or concrete.
3. Height: two stories (apartments); one story (commercial).
4. Primary exterior material: brick, common or running bond; stucco, rough texture.
5. Roof type: hip; flat with parapet (commercial).
6. Roof surfacing: composition shingles; built-up, commercial.
7. Ornamentation: simple; usually cast-concrete or ornamental brick such as corbelling.
BUNGALOW (1910 - 1930)
The Bungalow is the domestic building style most common to Riverside and Avondale. It is most numerous in Riverside, but is also found in significant numbers in Avondale. The earliest American Bungalows appeared in the 1890s, but they only became widespread after the turn of the century when plans began to appear in such publications as Bungalow Magazine and The Craftsman. Bungalows came in various shapes and forms, but small size, simplicity and economy generally characterized the style.
The Bungalows in Riverside and Avondale generally have a rectangular ground plan, with the narrowest side oriented toward the street. They have gently sloping gable over gable roofs that face the street. A variety of exterior materials are employed including weatherboard, shingles, and stucco. There are often lattice roof vents in the gable ends. The porches are dominated by short, oversized, tapered or square columns which rest on heavy brick piers connected by a balustrade. Rafter ends are usually exposed and often carved in decorative patterns to combine structure and ornament. Wood sash windows usually have three lights in the upper unit and one in the lower, although there are many examples of multi-light sash or casement windows.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: regular, rectangular, usually oriented with the narrow side facing the street.
2. Foundation: brick pier or continuous brick or concrete block.
3. Height: one story; belvedere, two stories.
4. Primary exterior material: horizontal wood siding, shingles; less frequent stucco.
5. Roof type: gable main roof over gable porch roof; shed dormers frequent secondary roof type; less frequent multiple gable, belvedere.
6. Roof surfacing: composition, asbestos shingles.
7. Ornamentation: simple; exposed structural elements (ridge beams, truss work, rafters, purlins); knees braces; battered porch piers; tapered chimneys.
COLONIAL REVIVAL (1900-1940)
The Colonial Revival style, which became popular around the turn of the century, is prevalent throughout Riverside and Avondale. The Colonial Revival style traces its roots to the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, where many of the exhibit buildings sought to revive and interpret historical "colonial" types. These structures were rich in borrowed details, based largely on the classical tradition that produced the styles now known as "Georgian," "Federal," and "Jeffersonian." The major elements of these styles were symmetrical facades, prominent porticos, molded details in bas-relief, rectangular windows with small panes, and fanlights over the front door.
Colonial Revival style buildings in Riverside and Avondale are generally two to two-and-one-half stories in height. Most are symmetrically massed and exhibit a tall hip roof and hip dormers, as well as a one story full facade entrance porch or verandah. One variant, the Dutch Colonial Revival, features a gambrel roof. Decorative elements include columns of various orders, balustrades, modillions and dentils. Entrances often feature transoms, fanlights, sidelights, plinth, fluted pilasters, hoods, pediments, and other detailing. Windows are usually double-hung sash with 1/1 or 3/1 lites, although there are some with lattice upper sash. Bays and oriels are frequent. Exterior fabrics include brick, particularly in Avondale and west Riverside; weatherboard; drop siding; and shingles.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: regular, rectangular or nearly square.
2. Foundation: brick piers or continuous brick.
3. Height: two to two-and-one-half stories.
4. Primary exterior material: horizontal wood siding, shingles; less frequent brick.
5. Roof type: hip; hip dormers frequent secondary roof type; gambrel roof on Dutch Colonial Revival.
6. Roof surfacing: embossed sheet metal or shingles; composition, asbestos shingles.
7. Ornamentation: classically derived--columns, balustrades, modillions, dentils. Entrance detailing-- transom, sidelights, fanlights, ornamental woodwork-- common.
QUEEN ANNE (1880-1910)
The Queen Anne, the most picturesque of late nineteenth century American domestic styles, is present in Riverside both in its pure form and through its influence on vernacular buildings. The Avondale and West Avondale Districts post-dates the period during which the Queen Anne was popular and contains few examples of the style. The Queen Anne style is characterized by a variety of forms, textures, colors, and materials. The basis for the Queen Anne style can be traced to England, but it developed its own distinctive character in America. Like the Colonial Revival style, it was introduced to the general public at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and was well received. It was widely publicized in illustrations and press reports, and American architects began to employ the style which reached its zenith of popularity in the 1880s and 1890s.
Queen Anne style houses in Riverside are wood frame structures sided with a variety of wooden materials, principally shingles, weatherboard and novelty siding. Irregular massing of building and roof forms are hallmarks of the style as are extensive use of verandas and wood trim. Roof types include gable, hip, pyramid, and cone (for towers), and roofs feature details such as dormers, tall brick chimneys and roof cresting. The windows are usually irregularly placed, and although double-hung sashes are typical, there may be many light configurations, particularly in the upper sashes. Art glass is a common window and door material.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: irregular.
2. Foundation: piers, brick.
3. Height: two to two-and-one-half stories.
4. Primary exterior material: various: horizontal wood siding, shingles.
5. Roof type: multi-planed, gable most common; towers, gables, turrets common secondary roof structures.
6. Roof surfacing: sheet metal, embossed; composition, asbestos shingles.
7. Ornamentation: A variety of woodwork, including finial, pendants, brackets, scrollwork, trusses, verge boards, panels; a variety of textures, fish scale, other shingles; and variety of color.
SHINGLE STYLE (1880-1914)
The Shingle Style originated in the seacoast towns of New England towards the end of the Victorian Era and became a popular alternative to the exuberance of the Queen Anne vocabulary. This style emphasized the exterior surface of the building which was usually uniformly covered with stained shingles. The porch posts and roof dormers were sometimes covered with shingles as well. The usage of brick or rough-cut stone along the base of the house or at piers and chimneys complimented the shingles and added to the overall texture of the design. Various roof formats included long sloping gables, circular turrets, hip configurations, gambrel types and multi-planed ridges. The roofs eaves found in the Shingle Style were usually abbreviated, however, some examples found in Riverside and Avondale contain broad overhangs in response to the Florida sun. The windows are usually subdivided into a multitude of small panes in the Victorian manner and are often grouped to form horizontal bands.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: irregular and open
2. Foundation: continuous
3. Height: usually two stories or more
4. Primary exterior material: stained shingles with brick and stone accents
5. Roof type: high pitched in various forms
6. Roof surfacing: originally covered with shingles to match the walls
7. Ornamentation: leaded or multi-paned wood windows, bands of wood trim to connect the windows, shingles with simple geometric inserts applied to porch columns, exposed roof framing sometimes found along eaves.
PRAIRIE (1909-1930)
The Prairie Style is associated with a number of buildings in Riverside and Avondale. Jacksonville probably has more Prairie Style influenced architecture than any city outside the Midwest. The Prairie style house, which developed in the American Midwest at the beginning of the twentieth century, owed much of its inspiration to the English Arts and Crafts movement. Horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, bands of windows, and unity between house and landscape were strongly emphasized. The architect most closely associated with the Prairie style in Jacksonville is Henry John Klutho, a native of Illinois, who moved to the city after the great fire of 1901. Klutho introduced the style locally and designed the highest quality examples. Other local architects borrowed the style and applied it well into the 1920s.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: irregular.
2. Foundation: continuous.
3. Height: two stories.
4. Primary exterior material: stucco.
5. Roof type: low-pitched hip roof with wide, projecting eaves.
6. Roof surfacing: composition shingles.
7. Ornamentation: geometric detailing: leaded panes or lights in windows; wrought-iron railings, grills; column capitals and cornices; pediments; fascia; cast-metal brackets.
MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCE (1915-1940)
The roots of Mediterranean influenced architecture in Florida can be traced to the Spanish, Spanish Colonial, and Moorish Revival hotels in St. Augustine developed by Henry Flagler and others during the 1880s. Spanish and other Mediterranean influenced styles were popularized during the Panama-California International Exposition at San Diego in 1915, and by the 1920s had swept California and the southwest. The most important early twentieth century Mediterranean building in Florida was Villa Vizcaya in Miami, which was drawn from Italian precedents. One of the most significant architects associated with Mediterranean influenced architecture was Addison Mizner, who designed a number of Spanish Colonial Revival buildings in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and other Florida cities.
The Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission, and other Mediterranean influenced styles were among the most common in Florida during the Boom of the 1920s. As a result, these styles are quite common in Avondale and West Riverside. Identifying features include red tile roofs; stucco exterior walls; straight or arched windows; iron window grilles and balconies; arcades; ceramic tile decoration; and ornate, low-relief carving highlighting arches, columns, window surrounds, cornices, and parapets.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: irregular.
2. Foundation: continuous.
3. Height: two stories.
4. Primary exterior material: stucco.
5. Roof type: hip roof; flat with curvilinear parapet (Mission).
6. Roof surfacing: barrel, French interlocking tile.
7. Ornamentation: plaster and terra cotta detailing highlighting arches, columns, window surrounds, cornices, and parapets; wrought iron grilles, balconies, and balconets.
CLASSICAL REVIVAL (1900 - 1930)
Classical Revival is an adaptation of classical Greek temple front and other details of either the Doric, Ionic or Corinthian order. Its popularity in America can be traced back as far as 1798 with the designs of William Strickland and, somewhat later, those of his pupil, Robert Mills. Its popularity survived until the Civil War and has seen numerous revivals since that time. Examples of the style in Riverside and Avondale feature two story porticos with monumental columns that support a full entablature. A centrally placed balcony frequently appears at the second floor and cornices are decorated with dentils or modillions. Windows are generally 1/1 wood double-hung sashes, and the main entrance is centrally placed with a transom. Exterior fabric is either weatherboard or drop siding.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: regular, rectangular or nearly square
2. Foundation: piers or continuous, brick.
3. Height: two to two-and-one-half stories
4. Primary exterior material: horizontal wood siding
5. Roof type: low-pitched hip.
6. Roof surfacing: embossed sheet metal or metal shingles; composition, asbestos shingles.
7. Ornamentation: classically derived; full-facade height ionic columns, balustrades, medallions, dentulous. Entrance detailing--transom, sidelights, ornamental woodwork-- common.
TUDOR (1915-1940)
The Tudor Style is loosely based on a variety of late Medieval English prototypes. The American expression of the Tudor emphasized steeply pitched, front-facing gables which are almost universally present as a dominant facade element. Many Tudor style buildings have ornamental half-timbering, executed in stucco, masonry, or masonry veneered walls. Uncommon before World War I, the Tudor became widely popular after World War I as masonry veneering techniques allowed even the most modest examples to mimic closely the brick and stone exteriors seen on English prototypes. There are numerous examples of the style in Avondale and west Riverside, but few in older sections of Riverside. The examples range from simple to extremely high-styled. The presence of Harold Saxlebye, an English-born architect who designed many residences in Avondale, was a contributing factor to the prevalence of the style there.
Characteristics:
1. Plan: regular, rectangular.
2. Foundation: continuous brick.
3. Height: two to two-and-one-half stories.
4. Primary exterior material: brick, first story; stucco and wood, second story (half-timbering).
5. Roof type: gable.
6. Roof surfacing: composition shingles.
7. Ornamentation: prominent gables, oriel windows, massive chimneys, pointed elliptical arch.
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