In this month’s Real Estates, we take a look at Federal style architecture, which is an adaptation of the Georgian style and became popular in the United States around 1780 until the 1830s. Like much of America’s architecture, the Federal (or Federalist) style was modeled after estates in the British Isles. The Adam brothers—two Scotsmen considered the pioneers of the Federal style—enhanced the pragmatic Georgian style by adding swags, garlands, urns, and other delicate details.
“The features of Federal architecture usually include a Flemish bond, off-center stair, detailing in the mantels, and fluted pilasters as well as fans over the doors. It is a very refined, elegant style of architecture,” says Walter Schamu, FAIA, president of SMG Architects in Baltimore.
In colonial America, homes and public buildings took on royal attributions inspired by the work of the Adam brothers and also by the great temples of ancient Greece and Rome.
Americans began to build homes with Palladian, circular, or elliptical windows; recessed wall arches; and oval-shaped rooms. This new Federal style became associated with America’s evolving national identity and patriotism.“The Federal style followed the Georgian period influenced by King George I in the early 1700s and reflected more elaborate, stately, and symmetrical homes. Americans wanted to invent their own architectural style by creating the Federal style which is a mix and match of many historically significant architectural styles,” says Schamu.
Federalist architecture is often confused with the earlier Georgian Colonial style. The difference is in the details: While Georgian homes are square and angular, a Federal style building is more likely to have curved lines and decorative embellishments. Federalist details are often incorporated into modern American homes. If you look closely in today’s homes, you may see a fanlight or the elegant arch of a Palladian window.
“The elegance and fine details of the Federal style home appeals to today’s families because it is a very livable space. They are not overwhelming large and have a very nice, comfortable human scale to them,” says Schamu.
Location Comparison of federal Style Properties
Listing Agent: Charen Rubin/Historic Properties Associates (301-788-3309)*
Highland, MD
This Highland Federal style home built in 1795 has four bedrooms, three full baths, a total square footage of 1,800, and is situated on 10.12 acres. It is an active listing with an asking price of $794,500.
Listing Agent: Dave Wilkinson/MacRo, Ltd. (301-698-9696)*
Union Bridge, MD
This Union Bridge Federal style home built in 1790 has four bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, a total square footage of 3,350, and is situated on 103.8 acres. This property is an active listing with an asking price of $1,325,000.
Listing Agent: Tom Mooney/O’Conor & Mooney Realty. (410-321-8800)* Photo provided by Craig Westerman of Hometrack.
Towson, MD
This Towson Federal style home built in 1930 has four bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths, a total square footage of approximately 5,732, and is situated on 3.7 acres. It is an active listing with an asking price of $1,950,000.
*The status of all listings was current at the time of printing.
American Federal Houses Have Many of These Features:• Decorative crown or roof over front door
• Semicircular fanlight over the front door
• Narrow side windows flanking the front door
• Windows arranged symmetrically around a center doorway
• Tooth-like dentil moldings in the cornice
• Low-pitched roof, or flat roof with a balustrade
• Palladian window
• Circular or elliptical windows
• Oval rooms and arches
• Shutters
• Decorative swags and garlands
Jennifer K. Dansicker is Special Projects Editor for ChespeakeHome.
These listings were complied with the help of Lynn Summerlin Hoeckel, Residential Agent for Yerman Witman Gaines and Conklin Realty (410-583-0400 or lsummerlin@ywggrealty.com)
Contact:
SMG Architects: smgarch.com or 410-685-3582
