The Evolution of Washington's Architecture

Picture this: You get on an airplane, blindfolded. The pilot flies you to a state and drops you off without telling you where you are.

At first, you'll be disoriented. But, after walking around for a little, you should get a better idea of where you are. One thing that can be particularly useful in getting your bearings? The architecture.

Every region has unique buildings, structures, and layouts. This is because architecture is often the product of the area's historical events, culture, and natural landscape.

In this article, we take a closer look at one state's particular architecture. Read on to learn about the evolution of Washington's buildings.

County.

1860–1900

During this period, Victorian architecture reigned. This style borrowed from older ideas (like Gothic architecture) and added new details (like French and Egyptian details). The result? Homes that were very unique to the artist's personal vision.

Some of the most popular Victorian homes in Washington include:

Queen Anne

The Queen Anne style is the poster child of Victorian architecture. It uses a wide range of elements to create a distinct look. Distinguishing characteristics include:

One-story porches that were either partial or full-width
Roofs that were irregularly shaped and steeply pitched
Walls with varying textures
Extravagant ornamentation

Two notable homes in Washington of the Queen Anne style are:

The David Fotheringham House in Spokane
The Butler House in Walla Walla

Chateauesque

Chateauesque homes are very grand. They tend to be asymmetrical, have detailed roofs, and feature large front doors framed by Gothic archways.

Carpenter Gothic

Carpenter Gothic was popular for churches and large & small homes. The style consists of jig-sawn details, batten siding, and buttressing.

1900–1940

Victorian architecture refers to the era of Queen Victoria. It was popularized in the U.K. and spread around the world.

From 1900-1940, new styles took over. Ones that were distinctly American. Two of the most popular include:

Sullivanesque

The Sullivanesque movement began in response to the emergence of skyscrapers. Sullivanesque buildings are tall and feature Syrian archways, vertical bands of windows, flat roots, etc.

Prairie

As their name indicates, prairie homes are designed to fit in with the prairie landscape. They have open floor plans, rows of tiny windows, and chimneys central to the one-story building.

1920–1960

This period was all about revival. There was a major comeback of styles including Egyptian, French Norman, Garrison, Italian Renaissance, Pueblo, Tudor Composite, and more.

1930–1970

Here are some of the most popular styles from the Modern era:

Shed

Shed-style homes feature wooden exteriors, simple junctions between the roof and walls, and solar-friendly elements. Another distinguishing feature is flush board siding (available from providers like this siding company in Spokane).

Curtain Wall

Curtain Wall buildings feature an exterior that does not support the structure. In Washington, many Curtain Walls consist of glass and are the face of office buildings and skyscrapers.

Brutalism

Brutalism is essentially a counter to the Curtain Wall movement. It uses concrete to create a bulky, rigid look.

Final Thought: Washington's Emphasis on Nature

Throughout this article, we've discussed the uniqueness of Washington's built environment. However, it's important to note that the state also relies on nature to create its distinct landscape.

This may come as no surprise, seeing as how well-known Washington is for its beautiful natural environment. You can see traces of nature everywhere you look. Picturesque Mount Rainier is in the background of downtown Seattle. Spokane is nestled into a prominent agricultural region and even has the motto "Near Nature, Near Perfect."

As you can see, Washington's architecture has experienced quite the evolution. Trends have come and go with the natural landscape having an ever-lasting influence on the state's buildings.