Decorative details on porches, cornices and window surrounds may reference more formal styles applied to this vernacular house type. against the wing-and-gable type that was predominant across the US during We can still call this house a Foursquare styled house if it looks boxy and has a wide porch, hipped-pyramid roof and hip-roof central dormer, but its center-hall floor plan is very different from theFour-Square plan. Its origin may The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. . Historically, Colonial Revival refers to a rather broad time period architecturally that encompasses Dutch, French, Spanish, Georgian, Adam, and Classical styles. Another distinctive feature is a dormer on one of more of the roof slopes, often with a miniature roof just like the larger version it sits on. Although its a residential style, this form was also used in some early schoolhouses. by Sears was one example. Photo by IvoShandor (CC BY 3.0). Cube Shape The American Foursquare house is cube-shaped containing two full floors, and unfinished half-story attic (i.e. Some have porches or sidelights. Its easy to tell if youre in a Foursquare house, if you can count to four! C227 - The Castleton from the Sears Modern Homes Mail Order Catalog, 1921. Telephone +40 751 842 790, contact@homedit.com. Colonial Revival Foursquares were the most popular in the early days of the style. Making homes beautiful is her passion and she loves eclectic style. Looking Around: American Foursquares | McMansion Hell - Tumblr For example, a home that is predominantly neo-Colonial may have the window styles, roof type, and facade configuration of a Colonial Revival, but it may also have an attached garage, vinyl siding, and a split-level interior. Juliet balconies, columns on front porches, and a more rectangular home shape (as opposed to the Foursquare) are some of the other features sometimes found in houses of this type. Cons: With a more complicated roofline, repairing and replacing the roof and maintaining the exterior can be more involved. Original dormers and wall projections are very rare. Depending on where you live, the American foursquare house type is also referred to as American Basic, "Builder's House," Square House, Box House, double cube, double-decker, and even American Farmhouse, which is a misnomer, as most of these homes were built in cities. ve-Bay House, Greenwood Township, Columbia County. These homes also have other neoclassical elements, including dormers with Palladian windows and cornice molding using dentils or medallions. Yet you can be pretty sure that most genuine Foursquares were built between 1890 - 1930. visit
I've always loved older homes and would love to live in a home that looks just like some you've highlighted here. Portland's greatest housing hits: Types of Foursquares (photos) Starting today, we shift this focus to look at specific house types that reoccur in most Portland neighborhoods. To be sure, they were well suited to accomodate Prairie and Craftsman styling, which was popular during the heyday of the Foursquare. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Windows are usually multipaned double-hung sash, and the main entry is typically centrally located within a front porch. Explore Victorians, colonials, Greek and Spanish revivals, foursquares, Federals, bungalows and other design motifs. Indeed, by sticking to a primarily square or rectangular layout, this architectural style has mastered and maximized a basic floor plan. The Great Depression halted homebuilding, and the homes that were built at the time were much smaller out of financial necessity, hence the dawn of the small Minimal Traditional houses of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. For example, it is called a "Midwest Cube" and a "square house" in other regions.