The Tudors of Cabbagetown

The early 1900s instilled a renewed interest in the past. As more families could afford to buy homes, people began to notice an absence of modern architecture in the cities. To fix this problem, architects looked to the past – they began to borrow styles from history and revive them to fit modern times.

One particular historical period many architects felt inspired by was the reign of the Tudors (1485-1603). Because this era led directly into the Early Renaissance, the Tudor Revival style is often also referred to as Elizabethan or half-timbered. Since the Tudor Revival was largely popular for domestic application, the emphasis was placed on simplicity, resembling something of medieval country house. Although modest, these homes can be identified by their rustic tones, pitched roofs, tall mullioned windows, high chimneys, and dormer windows.

Many medieval buildings would use beams and plaster to fortify a foundation. The term “half-timbered” was used to describe houses with an exposed wooden frame, a style that became fashionable in the early 1900s. In many cases, the Tudor Revival would try to mimic this style by applying timber to the walls as decoration, to give the illusion of medieval origin. This would be applied to other popular styles at the time, such as the Queen Anne and the Second Empire.

 

 

 

Photo References

http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/tobuildings_more.php?search_fd3=3817

http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/Buildingimages/86-108Spruce1.jpg

http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/Buildingimages/78SpruceUnit1-4_1.jpg

http://3elements.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Tudor-Revival-toronto-house.png