What Are Architectural Styles and the Most Popular One in CA?

California is home to some beautiful architectural types in addition to palm-lined avenues and white sand beaches. Architects worldwide rush to California to make a reputation since it is one of the best areas to live globally. Many consider it a place of beauty and inspiration, and many still flock to enjoy its sceneries. As a result, a variety of architectural styles arose. There are innumerable diverse building styles in California, ranging from modern home architecture, historical styles erected out of a need to show-stopping architectural masterworks that pushed the bounds of design. These buildings continue to give joy to many who visit with weary hearts.

The Most Popular Styles

Here are some of the styles that are still popular  in many architectural designs:

1. Bungalow Courts

The construction of the first Bungalow Courts was in 1909 by Sylvanus Marston, a Pasadena-based architect. Small detached dwellings grouped around a central courtyard make up these multifamily units. Only a few of these historical structures remain today, rendering them a threatened architectural style.

Bungalow-style dwellings, on the other hand, maybe found all around California. They have a single floor, typically adorned with gates, arches, stucco, and red tiles. These residences are unmistakable compared to their Mission Revival siblings because they are smaller and more widespread in older suburbs.

2. Victorian

When it comes to bungalow-courts, many people think of Northern California. These lovely properties contain stunning décors like turrets, towers, and elaborate wood accents. These gorgeous mansions draw the eye in and have a knack for detail. It sates the appetite of some people that are in it for the details of the structure.

Victorian buildings are divisible into several sub-genres, including Queen Anne, Folk, and others. The attention to detail is the thing that gives these residences their unique aspects. The distinct painting of the many wood parts produces a unique look with a lot of individuality.

3. Spanish Colonial Revival Styles

The Spanish Colonial Revival mansions are a Southern California staple and a true confluence of worlds. Stucco, low-pitched red tile roofs, courtyards for shading and private meetings, and rounded corners characterize these modest yet elegantly proportioned residences.

Wrought-iron components, such as fences or window décor, are also exciting embellishments. This eclectic architecture combines Mission Revival, Spanish Baroque, Mexican, and Middle-eastern elements to create a distinctive California residence.

4. Beaux-Arts

Although it is not precisely a Californian architectural style, Beaux-Arts played a vital role in American history, characterized by restoring Greco-Roman components such as arches, columns, and domes. Throughout the revival style, one can find ornate features such as marble, frescos, and bronze.

Typical examples of Beaux-Arts architecture are town halls, courthouses, and other vital structures. The incorporation of glazed terra cotta tiles and other Mission-style features incorporated into Beaux-Arts structures distinguishes this style as particularly Californian.

5. Mission Revival

The Mission Revival style is one of California’s most famous architectural styles. For instance, red clay tile roofing with a low pitch, plain stucco exteriors, and arches characterize this style, which evolved from old missions. Mission Revival homes are trendy because of the thick wall systems that assist keep the pleasant breeze in and the searing heat out.

These dwellings are usually modest in size but have a lot of historical significance. A second story is prevalent in today’s Mission Revival, with the classification of single-story Mission residences as bungalows. With these properties having such qualities, they will never get old and remain iconic as long as they stand.

6. Churrigueresque

Another architectural style that is distinctively Californian is this style of building. Pitch and hipped roofs, gables, turrets, and circular gothic archways feature this fanciful architectural type, inspired by a French castle. Architects used modern technologies in the 1920s to construct this popular style for high rises such as condo complexes, hotels, and more, rather than dwellings.

As a result, the Golden State exudes a feeling of luxury and majesty. Curved balconies were also typical in living apartments, allowing inhabitants to gaze out over the cityscape from their spectacular palace.

7. Hollywood Regency

When you think of Hollywood Regency design, the “mansion on the hill” could be the first thing that springs to mind. These places partially echo the Greek Revival and French and modernist designs with large double doors, monumental curved staircases, oval windows, complicated mansard roofs with deliberate symmetry, columns, and manicured lawns. A gate and a pull-through driveway are frequently present to provide a sense of luxury upon approaching the estate.

8. Monterey Colonial Revival

Wraparound porches, two floors, and a hip roof characterize the Monterey Colonial Revival design. This classic property type strives to create a functional area to stay that takes advantage of the sea wind and spectacular canyon vistas by merging the Spanish Colonial architecture with New England characteristics. These old dwellings sometimes blend adobe and wood-framed architecture to produce this kind of multi-textured edifice.

You may find a range of uniquely designed homes with plenty of history all around California. California has a wide range of architectural styles to fit any preference. There’s something for everyone, from the Spanish Mission to opulent Hollywood homes.

9. Contemporary

Homes in the contemporary style are constantly changing, making this type of residential architecture a little more challenging to identify. It’s thought of as an excellent medium between a modern and a traditional residence. It frequently incorporates conventional aspects such as wide multi-sliding doors, clean lines instead of arches and ornamental molding, and a more open concept layout into the exterior design of a home.

10. Modern

Modern properties are relatively easy to distinguish from other forms. The lack of decoration or decorative design, the concentration on rectangular shapes with no roof, and huge glass sliding doors and windows to enable lots of natural light to stream through are all characteristics of modern style architecture.

People often prefer this style because it provides an open, airy plan. Large expanses of glass are often used throughout the house, allowing it to take advantage of any stunning views and the surrounding vegetation.

The design of these structures also incorporates features and technologies for safe and efficient living. One such attribute is a fire-rated access door security installation that allows an entry point for the maintenance crew to safely and efficiently access the utility areas for repair, maintenance, or replacements of any damaged parts.

11. Craftsman

Widely overhanging broad eaves, low-pitched gabled roofs, and big front porches beneath the main roof extension are hallmarks of a Craftsman-style property. Common external materials are wooden/shingle siding, stone for the porch piers and base, and brickwork and stucco. They also feature distinguished single dormers (roof structures with only one window) rather than several dormers like a cape cod design house.

Conclusion

California is a magnificent state for many high-value properties that are genuine works of art. It’s not just a place for sunny outdoor activities and palm-laden roads; it is also a site to enjoy artistic works. It is a state that you can find the manifestation of all architectural styles that you can think of!  So, If you want to have such a design, make sure you contact a licensed professional for solid advice.

For further information or design requests, feel free to contact us.

Author’s Bio

Chris Jackson is an experienced Business Development Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. He is currently employed by Best Access Doors, an access door supplier in the US and Canada, and has been working for the company for more than 12 years now. His area of expertise is on Negotiation, Roofers, Sales, Project Estimation, and Facility Management (FM)