In the early 19th century, American architecture was a mixture of cribbed styles and European architecture. It is only until the end of the century that America began embracing the idea of having their own unique architectural style. It is then that American architecture started new trends and building buildings that could be emulated all over the world. American architecture arguably started picking up in originality, style and uniqueness towards the end of the century or after the civil war. Before this, American architecture consisted of copied styles from Europe and Greece. American architecture was also largely dependent on English design books, a few prestigious technical schools and master builders who had immigrated during the old and new wars. The only buildings that showcased great architectural designs where churches such as the Cambridge and kings chapel and private homes (Secler, 2006).
After the civil war America also underwent a transformation of the American life due to immigration and industrialization. It is this transformation that inspired a sense of historical consciousness in the American people which necessitated the development of architecture that would be unique to the Americans (Conn & Page, 2003). After the civil war, only two thirds of the Architects in America were native born. A large percentage of them came from Germany and Ireland. The designers and craftsmen during this period were foreign born. In the last half of the nineteenth century the Irish dominated the building industry. They had perfected their skills in carpentry and bricklaying. Most of the Irish in this sector later transformed themselves into builders and contractors.
[...] References: Conn, S., & Page, M. (2003). Building the American Nation: Americans write about their Architecture , their cities and their landscape. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania. Elliot, C. D. (2003). The American Architecture from the colonial period to the present. McFarland. Hayward, M. E., & Shivers, F. J. (2004). The architecture of Balitmore; An illustrated history. [...]
[...] JHU Press. Poppeliers, J. C., & Chambers, A. S. (2003). What style is it: A guide to American Architecture. John Wiley and sons. Secler, R. f. (2006). Civil War America -1875. Infobase Publishing. [...]
[...] It is this transformation that inspired a sense of historical consciousness in the American people which necessitated the development of architecture that would be unique to the Americans (Conn & Page, 2003). After the civil war, only two thirds of the Architects in America were native born. A large percentage of them came from Germany and Ireland. The designers and craftsmen during this period were foreign born. In the last half of the nineteenth century the Irish dominated the building industry. They had perfected their skills in carpentry and bricklaying. [...]
[...] This building set the style for most post civil war public buildings and made the second empire style closely associated with the public architecture of the Grant administration. The major practitioner of this style in the post civil war period was Alfred B Mullet the then supervising architect of the treasury. Domestic architecture in this style is however difficult to identify as the mansard roof can be placed on any house to create a contemporary design without any innovations in plan and ornament (poppeliers & Chambers, 2003). Other styles influenced by immigration where such as the Gothic and neo-Gothic style and the Greek revival styles. [...]
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