Gothic Revival
Architects offer a more relaxed style by applying renewed Gothic elements
When a home is described as "Gothic," you're likely to picture a spooky scene right out of a horror story, with bats swirling about and lightning crashing in the background. In reality, the structure has been more closely associated with richly detailed places of worship.
Some people prefer the term "Pointed" to Gothic when describing the style. James Stevens Curl, contributing to the 2013 book "Encyclopedia of the Gothic," says the term Gothic was originally meant as an insult. When the Gothic style was introduced, the most popular architectural styles of the time were based on Roman and Greek designs; critics dismissed the Gothic style as being associated more closely with the barbarian tribes of northern Europe.
Nevertheless, the style became particularly popular in churches between the 12th and 16th centuries. The pointed arches, roofs, and vaults are apparent in famous cathedrals such as Westminster Abbey in London and Notre Dame in Paris.
The start of the Gothic Revival movement began in Europe in the 18th century. Historic New England, an organization dedicated to preserving historic structures in the region, says this move- ment pushed back against the ongoing influence of classical structures. By applying renewed Gothic elements to structures, including private homes, architects hoped to offer a more relaxed style that recalled the medieval period in Europe.
Gothic Revival elements were popularized in American architecture by two architects who had been influenced by this cultural shift. Alexander Jackson Davis advocated for the style in the 1837 pattern book "Rural Residences." He was joined by his friend Andrew Jackson Downing, who created the 1842 book "Cottage Residences" and 1850 publication "The Architecture of Country Houses."
The style became especially popular in the northeastern states, where many prominent examples remain today. In New York City, Gothic Revival structures include Trinity Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Woolworth Building. In Connecticut, the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Roseland Cottage in Woostock, and the Harkness Tower at Yale University in New Haven are some examples of the Gothic Revival style.
Gothic Revival fell out of popularity after the end of the Civil War, but saw a brief renewal of interest in the 1870s. Cryil M. Harris, in his 2003 book "American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia," says this second phase is referred to as Late Gothic Revival, High Victorian Gothic, or simply Victorian Gothic.
As the alternate name for the Gothic Revival style suggests, one of the most distinguishing characteristics is the pointed nature of the architecture. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission says pointed arches are visible in the doors, windows, roof gables, and even the porches.
Historic New England says Gothic Revival structures are usually asymmetrical with an L-shaped floor plan. The building also tends to have a cross-gable design in the center of the structure, allowing the protrusion of a secondary façade.
The roof has a steep pitch, with eaves that hang over the walls for a pronounced distance. As a decorative element, intricately carved wooden trim known as vergeboard or bargeboard is used to decorate the gables.
Arched windows often extend into these gables. One common decorative element for windows is hood molding, which follows the shape of the window and projects from the wall above this opening.
One-story porches may extend along the façade of the house or be limited to the entryway. These porches often feature turned posts and columns as well as flattened Gothic arches.
Doors are also arched and contain decorative crowns. Harris says the door often has elaborate panels or Gothic motifs.
Gothic Revival buildings that have been constructed with wood are referred to as Carpenter Gothic. This type of structure often has board-and-batten siding, a method that enhances the vertical aspect of a structure and seeks to conceal the seams between boards. Gothic Revival buildings that use brick and stone tend to be public buildings such as churches.
More complex Gothic Revival structures bear a resemblance to medieval castles through features such as gables with parapets, towers, and turrets. Other stylistic touches include oriel windows, a form of bay window projecting from the wall; detailed wooden ornamentation, particularly around the windows, doors, and porches; and finials, or decorative ornaments located at the peak of the gables.