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Federation architecture is the architectural style in Australia that was prevalent from around 1890 to 1915. The name refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the
Commonwealth of Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
. The architectural style had antecedents in the Queen Anne style and Edwardian style of the United Kingdom, combined with various other influences like the Arts and Crafts style. Other styles also developed, like the Federation Warehouse style, which was heavily influenced by the Romanesque Revival style. In Australia, Federation architecture is generally associated with cottages in the Queen Anne style, but some consider that there were twelve main styles that characterized the Federation period.


Definition and features

The Federation period overlaps the Edwardian period, which was so named after the reign of King Edward VII (1901–1910); however, as the style preceded and extended beyond Edward's reign, the term "Federation architecture" was coined in 1969. Federation architecture has many similarities to
Edwardian Baroque architecture Edwardian architecture is a Neo-Baroque architectural style that was popular in the British Empire during the Edwardian era (1901–1910). Architecture up to the year 1914 may also be included in this style. Description Edwardian architecture is ...
; however, there are significant differences that distinguish the Federation architecture style from the Edwardian Baroque architecture style, particularly due to the embracing of Australiana themes and the use of the verandah in domestic settings. Australian flora and fauna are prominently featured, and stylised images of the New South Wales waratah, flannel flower, Queensland firewheel tree, and other flowers, and the kangaroo,
kookaburra Kookaburras are terrestrial tree kingfishers of the genus ''Dacelo'' native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between in length and weigh around . The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri ''guuguubarra'', onomatopoeic of its call. The ...
, and
lyrebird A lyrebird is either of two species of ground-dwelling Australian birds that compose the genus ''Menura'', and the family Menuridae. They are most notable for their impressive ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environ ...
, were common. The Coat of Arms, and rising sun, representing a new dawn in the country of Australia, also appeared regularly on gables. Many Federation buildings, both residential and non-residential, are listed on the Register of the National Estate because of their heritage values.


Gardens and garden architecture

Gardens of the period were complex and contained many elements—generally a wider variety of plants than is seen in contemporary plantings, pergolas, rose arches, gazebos and summerhouses. Wooden lattice fences were used to partition parts of the garden off, particularly the front from the more private back. Garden paths could be straight or gently curved, and often edged with glazed edging tiles or bricks, and made of tiles, packed gravel or bricks. patterns for brick paving include stretcher bond, herringbone and basketweave. Asphalt and concrete were not used. Plants were selected to produce year-round colour and interest in the local climate conditions. Initially, evergreen trees were used, but the denseness of shade led to increasing popularity of deciduous trees such as '' Jacaranda'', flowering plum and peppercorn. Palms often framed the garden vista, and the native
Cootamundra wattle ''Acacia baileyana'' or Cootamundra wattle is a shrub or tree in the flowering plant family Fabaceae. The scientific name of the species honours the botanist Frederick Manson Bailey. It is indigenous to a very small area in southern inland New S ...
was popular, as were shrubs such as camellias and standard roses. Conservatories contained begonias and '' Adiantum'' ferns.


Styles

There are twelve styles that predominated in the Federation period: * Federation Academic Classical * Federation Free Classical * Federation Filigree * Federation Anglo-Dutch * Federation Romanesque * Federation Gothic * Federation Carpenter Gothic * Federation Warehouse * Federation Queen Anne * Federation Free Style * Federation Arts and Crafts * Federation Bungalow


Residential architecture

Of the twelve Federation styles, there are four that were mainly used in residential architecture. They are Federation Queen Anne style, Federation Filigree style, Federation Arts and Craft style, and Federation Bungalow style.


Federation Queen Anne

The Federation Queen Anne style was designed to embrace the outdoor lifestyles of the Australian people. Most homes have asymmetric gables, white-painted window frames, front verandas with decorative timber features, tiling on the patio floor and entry paths. The brickwork is usually a deep red or dark brown, often with a mix of the two. The roofs are typically terracotta tiles with decorative gables (sometimes adorned with finials), motifs, timber features, tall chimneys and fretwork. Decorative leadlight windows are also common, as are circular windows (known as bulls-eye windows). Federation homes also have decorative internal features in the plasterwork, high ceilings and timber features. Some outstanding examples are West Maling, Penshurst Avenue, Penshurst, New South Wales; Turramurra Ingleholme, Boomerang Street, Turramurra, New South Wales (former home of architect
John Sulman Sir John Sulman (29 August 1849 – 18 August 1934) was an Australian architect. Born in Greenwich, England, he emigrated to Sydney in 1885. From 1921 to 1924 he was chairman of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee and influenced the develop ...
); and
Caerleon, Bellevue Hill Caerleon (; cy, Caerllion) is a historic house in the Sydney suburb of Bellevue Hill. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate as well as having a New South Wales heritage listing. It was named after Caerleon, a small town in Wales. ...
, the first Queen Anne home in Australia. The Federation Queen Anne style was the most popular residential style in Australia between 1890 and 1910. File:(1)Caerleon.jpg, Caerleon,
Bellevue Hill, New South Wales Bellevue Hill is a harbourside eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, located five kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the Municipality of Woollahra. The suburb is located within the Divi ...
, first Queen Anne home in Australia File:(1)Amesbury 033.jpg, ''Amesbury'', Ashfield, New South Wales. Built c.1888. File:Hillcrest, 29 High St, East Launceston.JPG, ''Hillcrest'', Launceston, Tasmania File:Federation home South Yarra.jpg, Federation Queen Anne mansion in South Yarra, Victoria File:(1) Burwood Appian Way 6.jpg, 'Vallambrosa', Appian Way,
Burwood, New South Wales Burwood is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of Municipality of Burwood. People f ...
, Federation Queen Anne style File:Alba Longa Burwood.jpg, 'Alba Longa', Federation Queen Anne home, Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales


Federation Filigree

The Federation Filigree style is common in the hotter parts of Australia, especially in the north, since it is designed to create shade while allowing for the free flow of air. It is a common sight in Queensland and is sometimes known as the Queensland style. Some outstanding examples are Belltrees House, Scone, New South Wales; private home, Roderick Street, Ipswich, Queensland; and terrace of homes, east side of High Street, Millers Point, New South Wales. File:(1) Derry(former home of May Gibbs)1.jpg, 'Derry', a good example of Federation Filigree in Neutral Bay, New South Wales File:(1)Federation Home Woollahra Sydney.jpg, A Filligree Queen Anne style house in Woollahra, New South Wales File:Dilhorn House.jpg, Dilhorn House, Perth File:Federation mansion Beecroft 001b.jpg, Federation Filigree, Beecroft, New South Wales


Federation Arts and Crafts

The Federation Arts and Crafts style had its origins in England, where architects were reacting to the impersonal nature of the Industrial Revolution. Crafts and handiwork were emphasised to give architecture the "human touch". These influences were absorbed into Federation Australia, where the resulting buildings were generally small-scale to medium-scale and predominantly residential. Outstanding examples are Glyn, Kooyong road, Toorak, Victoria; The Crossways, Martin Road, Centennial Park, New South Wales; and Erica, Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales. Image:(1)_Ailsa.jpg, 'Ailsa', Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Federation Arts and Crafts style Image:Burwood_Appian_Way_10.JPG, 'St Ellero', 5 Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales, Federation Arts and Crafts style


Federation Bungalow

The Federation Bungalow style was the Australian response to the bungalow style that was developed in America by people like
Gustav Stickley Gustav Stickley (March 9, 1858 – April 15, 1942) was an American furniture manufacturer, design leader, publisher, and a leading voice in the American Arts and Crafts movement. Stickley's design philosophy was a major influence on American ...
. It can be seen as a transition phase between the Federation Queen Anne style and the California Bungalow style that took on later. Stylistically, it exploited the qualities of the bungalow while frequently retaining the flair and idiosyncrasies of the Queen Anne style, although usually in simplified form. Outstanding examples are Nee Morna, Nepean Highway, Sorrento, Victoria; Blythewood, Beecroft Road, Cheltenham New South Wales; and The Eyrie, Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, New South Wales. Image:Federation cottage Beecroft 001a.jpg, Federation cottage, Beecroft, New South Wales Image:SydneyBuilding0127.jpg, 'Cassa Tasso', Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales, Federation Bungalow Image:(1)Federation_Bungalow_Perouse_Road_Randwick.jpg, Federation Bungalow, Randwick, New South Wales Image:(1)Federation_Bungalow_Bondi_Sydney.jpg, Federation Bungalow,
Bondi, New South Wales Bondi () is a suburb of eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, seven kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council. It is often colloquially referred to as "Bon ...
, with Italianate touches


Federation Revival

During the early-1990s, many of the design elements that characterised the Federation architecture of old were popularised in mainstream architecture. This Federation revival form is also known as "mock Federation" or "faux Federation". The style was widespread within the realm of residential housing (especially in new development suburbs) and for apartment buildings; however, smaller shopping centres and other public buildings also made use of the revival style that retained widespread popularity until the early 2000s. Suburbs of Sydney that developed in the 1990s—such as Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, and Menai—are notable in the sense that large tracts of these developments contain almost exclusively Federation revival homes. The construction of Federation revival architecture varied little from that of other basic styles, with the Federation elements merely forming the facade and decorating elements of the building. For example, the typical brick and roof tile construction, hexagonal turrets, ornate
gable A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system used, which reflects climate, material availability, and aesth ...
work, finials, prominent verandah, steep pitched roofs, and faceted bay windows served to parallel the traditional Federation architecture. File:(1)Field Place house.jpg, Federation revival home in Wahroonga, Sydney File:34 Dudley Avenue, Roseville, New South Wales (2011-07-17).jpg, Federation revival home in Roseville, Sydney File:Apartments, 8-10 Russell Avenue, Lindfield, New South Wales (2011-07-17).jpg, Federation revival apartments in Lindfield, Sydney File:Apartments, Kingsway, Miranda, New South Wales (2010-07-25) 02.jpg, Federation revival apartments in Miranda, Sydney (c. 1995) File:(1)house_Kingsford_Sydney-3.jpg, Federation revival house in Kingsford, Sydney File:(1)Federation Revival house Kensington.jpg, Federation revival house in Kensington, Sydney File:(1)Federation Revival house Gordon Street Blacktown.jpg, A house in
Blacktown Blacktown is a suburb in the City of Blacktown, in Greater Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Blacktown is located west of the Sydney central business district. It is one of the most multicultural places within Great ...
, Greater Western Sydney File:(1)Federation Revival house Pretoria Parade.jpg, A house in Hornsby, Sydney File:60 Clanville Road, Roseville, New South Wales (2011-07-17).jpg, Roseville, Sydney


Non-residential architecture

Federation non-residential buildings can be in any of the twelve styles. The following gallery shows some examples of non-residential buildings. Image:Bank_building_sydney0003.jpg, Former bank building, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (Federation Free Classical) Image:MaryImmaculateChurch.jpg, Mary Immaculate Church,
Waverley, New South Wales Waverley is a suburb in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Waverley is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council. Waverley Cou ...
(Federation Academic Classical) Image:1_Our_Lady_of_the_Sacred_Heart.JPG, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent,
Kensington, New South Wales Kensington is a suburb in south-eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 6 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area (LGA) of the City of Randwick, in the Easte ...
(Federation Gothic) Image:(1)Darlinghurst_Fire_Station-c.jpg, Fire Station, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (Federation Free Style, designed by Walter Liberty Vernon) Image:Fremantle Markets.jpg, Fremantle Markets, Fremantle, Western Australia (Federation Romanesque) Image:(1)St_Marys_Townsville.jpg, St. Mary's Church,
Townsville Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of 180,820 as of June 2018, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland; it is unofficially considered its capital. Estimated resident population, 3 ...
, Queensland (Federation Carpenter Gothic) Image:1_Salvation_Army_building.jpg, Salvation Army building, Brisbane, Queensland (Federation Filigree style) Image:(1)Farmers_and_Graziers_Wattle_St_Ultimo_Sydney-1a.jpg, Former Farmers and Graziers Building, Ultimo, New South Wales (Federation Warehouse style)


Federation architects

Notable Federation architects in Australia include: * Rodney Alsop * Harold Desbrowe Annear * Albert Edmund Bates ( Rockhampton, Queensland) * Hillson Beasley * A. L. Buchanan * Henry Budden CBE * Walter Butler * Hugh Hamilton Campbell ( Warwick, Queensland) * Claude William Chambers (Qld) *
John James Clark John James Clark (23 January 1838 – 25 June 1915), an Australian architect, was born in Liverpool, England. Clark's 30 years in public service, in combination with 33 in private practice, produced some of Australia's most notable public buildin ...
* Robin Dods * George Thomas Eaton (Rockhampton, Queensland) *
Richard Gailey Richard Gailey, Sr. (22 April 1834 – 24 April 1924) was an Irish-born Australian architect. Gailey was born in Donegal, Ireland and emigrated to Australia in 1864, becoming an influential and prolific architect in colonial-era Brisbane. He ...
( Brisbane, Queensland) * George Brockwell Gill ( Ipswich, Queensland) *
Carlyle Greenwell Carlyle Greenwell (16 March 1884 – 7 February 1961) was an Australian architect whose houses, designed in the first half of the 20th century, are often heritage-listed. He was also a philanthropist who made bequests to the University of Sydn ...
* William Hodgen (
Toowoomba Toowoomba ( , nicknamed 'The Garden City' and 'T-Bar') is a city in the Toowoomba Region of the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia. It is west of Queensland's capital city Brisbane by road. The urban population of Toowoomba as of the 2021 ...
, Queensland) * Sir
Talbot Hobbs Lieutenant General Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs, (24 August 1864 – 21 April 1938) was an Australian architect and First World War general. Early life Hobbs was born in London, the son of Joseph and his wife Frances Ann Hobbs (née Wilson). E ...
* John Horbury Hunt * Edward Jeaffreson Jackson (Sydney to 1908) * Howard Joseland *
George Sydney Jones This is a list of Australian architects. A '' Return to top of page'' B '' Return to top of page'' C '' Return to top of page'' D '' Return to top of page'' E '' Return to top of page'' F '' Return to top of page'' G ...
* Henry Hardie Kemp * Harry Marks (Toowoomba) * George McRae * Thomas Pollard Sampson * Sir
John Sulman Sir John Sulman (29 August 1849 – 18 August 1934) was an Australian architect. Born in Greenwich, England, he emigrated to Sydney in 1885. From 1921 to 1924 he was chairman of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee and influenced the develop ...
* George Temple-Poole * Beverley Ussher * Walter Liberty Vernon * B. J. Waterhouse


See also

*
Australian architectural styles Australian architectural styles, like the revivalist trends which dominated Europe for centuries, have been primarily derivative. Background Europeans’ early contacts with Indigenous populations led them to misinterpret Aboriginal and Torres ...
* Australian residential architectural styles * Australian non-residential architectural styles * Appian Way, Burwood * List of Australian historic homesteads


References


Notes


Bibliography


Archi Centre - The Federation House


* ''The Heritage of Australia'', Macmillan Company, 1981


External links

{{Commons category, Federation architecture in Australia
Federation Architecture
at Flickr
Gallery of Federation Architecture

Gallery of Sydney Architecture

Federation House
Architectural styles Australian architectural history * Edwardian architecture Australia Housing in Australia