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Julianna Galofaro

Janet Ivey

Interior Design II

06 March 2018

Federal Style Housing

Despite the numerous influential housing styles throughout the United States, the Federal

home is one of the most signficant housing styles in the country. Although the Federal style

home is widely referred to as a “refinement” of the Georgian Style, the federal style was a

cultural advancement for American Architecture (Federal/ Adam Style). This independence

inspired home gained popularity throughout the late 1700s and into the early 1800s. While the

Federal home was prevalent during this time period, modern homes still incorporate elements of

the Federal, indicating the widespread importance of this architectural style. Numerous famous

buildings throughout the United States demonstrate Federal style architecture, including

Woodlawn Plantation, the Tudor Place, and the Decatur House. According to publisher

Wentworth, the word Federal “connotes” the time period in American history when the “federal

system of government was being developed” (Federal/ Adam Style). Therefore, the Federal style

home was the beginning of an era of American architecture.

After colonial America obtained independence from Great Britain, the American

populace desired to create their own style of architecture. The war ended political and social

patterns that were prominent during this time period. “Trend-setting” leaders “emerged” and

were most likely traders and merchants (Homes and Interior 345). Despite Americans desire to

be independent, the architectural ideas of Robert Adam, a famous British architect, were heavily
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incorporated into the federal housing style. However, the new wave of patriotism that washed

over numerous Americans after the war fueled the creativity of American architects. The

Federal style homes are a reflection of the anti-English thoughts that were taking place in the

minds of many Americans during this time period. According to John Tschirch from the Period

Homes magazine, the federal style house was created during a “remarkable period in history”

when the United States “mastered classical design and made it their own” (Tschirch). Tschirch

explains that there are numerous “pioneers” of federal style architecture, including Charles

Bulfinch, Samuel McIntire, and Russell Warren (Tschirch). These influential architects are

known for introducing the federal style architecture to the United States.

The Federal style home has numerous important features that distinguish the house from

the Georgian style. One of the most prominent features of the house is the decorative crown or

roof over the front door, completely distinguishing the house from the Georgian. The crown

serves as a symbol or representation of the independence of

the new federal government. Another important feature of the

Federal house is the palladian window. A palladian window

can be defined as a large window consisting of three sections:

the middle arched section, and the two narrow rectangular

sections on either side. The palladian window is generally placed over the door at the center of

the house, contributing to the overall symmetry. It is important to note that the federal style

architecture follows a strict pattern of symmetry. In many federal houses, a

“small portico is added to the main entrance” (Housing and Interior Design

176). A portico can be defined as a small roof supported by columns, creating

a porch. Federal style homes are generally two or three stories, and are typically two rooms

deep. Federal style homes that are located in the Northeast region of the United States are

generally made from clapboard which is pieces of wood overlapping to form the exterior walls of

a house.

The homes located in the south are made from brick, which is the most common

form of the Federal style house. Another feature that helps to distinguish the

Federal style home from the Georgian style home is the windows. The lower

level windows of the federal style house are larger and longer than the upper level windows.

There are also three windows that are located around the front door. One window is located

above the door and typically has a semicircular shape. The two windows located to the side of

the door are narrow and are as long as the full length of the door. The Federal style house

includes a simple flat roof with a balustrade, a fence-like decoration on the roof. Dentil

moldings are generally incorporated into the design

and are placed directly under the roof. All of these

features highlight the creativity of the American

architects during this time period. In addition the

distinguishing features help better identify the

Federal home from similar housing styles.

Although modern Federal style homes may not include every

feature of the house, many of the characteristics are still incorporated into homes and buildings.

Since the Federal style home is simple and elegant, the characteristic of symmetry is still popular

in houses throughout the country. The most common way that Federal style architecture is being
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incorporated into the U.S. is through governmental buildings. Many buildings, such as the

Massachusetts State House, follow the architectural design of the federal house because it

symbolizes the federal government. However, current homes have similar characteristics such as

palladian windows, brick exteriors, flat roofs, etc. The incorporation of Federal style

architecture into to current homes indicates the significance of this style of architecture.

To demonstrate the Federal style home, I created a 3D model of this style of architecture.

I decided to base my house off of one of the homes in the south by choosing to use brick for the

exterior. I included several of the characteristics such as the symmetrical design, the long and

short windows, and the flat roof with a balustrade. In addition, I added a decorative crown over

the front door. The house also demonstrates the size and shape of a classic Federal style home

by building the home on a quarter inch scale. I choose to use black shutter to give the home the

clean look that is demonstrated by several federal style. The house I created exemplifies a

Federal style home due to the fact that I included the distinguishing characteristics of the house.

As you can see, the historical perspective of the house, along with the unique

characteristics demonstrates that the Federal style home is an important house in architectural

history, specifically for the United States. Although the Federal home was created after the

American Revolution, the architectural style is still heavily incorporated into modern homes in

the United States, further demonstrating the significance of this housing style. The features such

as the columns, balustrade, and decorative crown symbolize power and strength, resulting in the

look of a powerful house. Despite many people’s belief that the Federal home is merely an

improvement of the Georgian, I view the house as a perfect representation of the government of

the United States.

Craven, Jackie. “House Style Guide to the American Home.” ​ThoughtCo​, ThoughtCo,
www.thoughtco.com/house-style-guide-american-home-4065233​. Accessed 18. Mar.
2018.
Dishner, Jackie. “Federal Architecture.” ​HGTV​, HGTV, 24 Apr. 2015,
www.hgtv.com/design/home-styles/federal-architecture​.
“Federal Style 1780-1820.” ​.Phmc.state​, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission ,

www.phmc.state.pa.us/portal/communities/architecture/styles/federal.htm​.

Lewis, Evelyn L., and Carolyn S. Turner. ​Housing and Interior Design​. Goodheart-Willcox
Company, Inc, 2018.
Sherwood, Ruth F. ​Homes & Interiors​. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2007​.
Tschirch, John R. “The History of Federal Style.” ​Classic Homes Design and Restoration |

Period Homes Magazine​, Period Homes, 14 Nov. 2017,

www.period-homes.com/features/history-federal-style​. Accessed. 17. Mar. 2018.