14 Facts About Georgian architecture

Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1714 and 1830.

Georgian architecture is characterized by its proportion and balance; simple mathematical ratios were used to determine the height of a window in relation to its width or the shape of a room as a double cube.

Regularity, as with ashlar stonework, was strongly approved, imbuing symmetry and adherence to classical rules: the lack of symmetry, where Georgian architecture additions were added to earlier structures remaining visible, was deeply felt as a flaw, at least before John Nash began to introduce it in a variety of styles.

Where they have not been demolished, large numbers of Georgian architecture buildings have survived two centuries or more, and they still form large parts of the core of cities such as London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Newcastle upon Tyne and Bristol.

Georgian architecture succeeded the English Baroque of Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Vanbrugh, Thomas Archer, William Talman, and Nicholas Hawksmoor; this in fact continued into at least the 1720s, overlapping with a more restrained Georgian architecture style.

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John Nash was one of the most prolific architects of the late Georgian architecture era known as The Regency style, he was responsible for designing large areas of London.

Greek Revival Georgian architecture was added to the repertory, beginning around 1750, but increasing in popularity after 1800.

Late Georgian architecture period saw the birth of the semi-detached house, planned systematically, as a suburban compromise between the terraced houses of the city and the detached "villas" further out, where land was cheaper.

Archetypal Georgian architecture church is St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, by Gibbs, who boldly added to the classical temple facade at the west end a large steeple on top of a tower, set back slightly from the main frontage.

The early churches, falling into the Georgian architecture period, show a high proportion of Gothic Revival buildings, along with the classically inspired.

Georgian architecture was widely disseminated in the English colonies during the Georgian era.

American buildings of the Georgian architecture period were very often constructed of wood with clapboards; even columns were made of timber, framed up, and turned on an oversized lathe.

Unlike the Baroque style that it replaced, which was mostly used for palaces and churches, and had little representation in the British colonies, simpler Georgian architecture styles were widely used by the upper and middle classes.

Neoclassical Georgian architecture remained popular, and was the opponent of Gothic in the Battle of the Styles of the early Victorian period.