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Spanish Colonial Revival architecture facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
ID 310 EX Bank of Boston 5282
Ex-First National Bank of Boston, Buenos Aires, Argentina (1924).

The Spanish Colonial Revival Style (Spanish: Arquitectura neocolonial española) is an architectural stylistic movement arising in the early 20th century based on the Spanish Colonial architecture of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

In the United States, the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 in San Diego, highlighting the work of architect Bertram Goodhue, is credited with giving the style national exposure. Embraced principally in California and Florida, the Spanish Colonial Revival movement enjoyed its greatest popularity between 1915 and 1931.

In Mexico, the Spanish Colonial Revival in architecture was tied to the nationalist movement in arts encouraged by the post-Mexican Revolution government. The Mexican style was primarily influenced by the Baroque architecture of central New Spain, in contrast to the U.S. style which was primarily influenced by the northern missions of New Spain. Subsequently, the U.S. interpretation saw popularity in Mexico and was locally termed colonial californiano.

Today, tract home design in Southern California and Florida largely descends from the early movement. The iconic terracotta shingles and stucco walls have been standard design of new construction in these regions from the 1970s to present.

Design elements

2311 Connecticut Ave
The Woodward Condominium in Washington, D.C. (1910).

Spanish Colonial Revival architecture shares some elements with the earlier Mission Revival style derived from the architecture of the California missions, and Pueblo Revival style from the traditional Puebloan peoples in New Mexico. Both precedents were popularized in the Western United States by the Fred Harvey and his Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Depots and Hotels. The Spanish Colonial Revival style is also influenced by the American Craftsman style and Arts and Crafts Movement.

Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is characterized by a combination of detail from several eras of Spanish Baroque, Spanish Colonial, Moorish Revival and Mexican Churrigueresque architecture. The style is marked by the prodigious use of smooth plaster (stucco) wall and chimney finishes, low-pitched clay tile, shed, or flat roofs, and terracotta or cast concrete ornaments. Other characteristics typically include small porches or balconies, Roman or semi-circular arcades and fenestration, wood casement or tall, double–hung windows, canvas awnings, and decorative iron trim.

Structural form:

  • Rectangular, courtyard, or L-plan.
  • Horizontal massing.
  • Predominantly one-story.
  • Interior or exterior courtyards.
  • Asymmetrical shape with cross-gables and side wings.

Notable architects

One of the most accomplished architects of the style was George Washington Smith who practiced during the 1920s in Santa Barbara, California. His own residences El Hogar (1916, a.k.a. Casa Dracaena) and Casa del Greco (1920) brought him commissions from local society in Montecito and Santa Barbara. An example landmark house he designed is the Steedman estate Casa del Herrero in Montecito, now a registered National Historic Landmark and restored historic house—landscape museum. Other examples are the Jackling House and Lobero Theatre also in California.

In California

El Sueno designed by Kevin A. Clark
El Sueño, designed by Kevin A. Clark.

Bertram Goodhue and Carleton Winslow initiated the style as the dominant historical regional style in California; they also influenced Hawaiian architecture in the 1920s. Notable in Californian architecture were the following architects:

Currently:

  • Kevin A. Clark
  • Marc Appleton, AIA
  • Michael Burch, FAIA
  • Thomas Bollay, AIA

In Florida

In Florida notable architects include:

  • John Elliot
  • Maurice Fatio, AIA
  • Harry Griffin, AIA
  • Richard Kiehnel, AIA of Kiehnel and Elliott
  • Addison Mizner
  • Wallace Neff, FAIA
  • Albert Pierce
  • James Gamble Rogers II, FAIA
  • Robert Weed, FAIA
  • Marion Wyeth, FAIA

In Hawaii

  • Louis Davis
  • G. Robert Miller, AIA
  • Bertram Goodhue FAIA's junior partner, Hardie Phillip, FAIA

List of example structures

Plaza del Lago IMG 7452 (cropped)
Plaza del Lago, Wilmette, Illinois (1920s).
Stanford University 1978
Stanford University's main quad.

Gallery

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Arquitectura neocolonial española para niños

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