So You Live in a... Federation House
From the 1890s, it was a new architecture for a new nation. Today, its characteristic features are worth copying, preserving or restoring
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Federation-style architecture was a symbol of Australia’s budding national identity. As architects and builders fused influences from France, Britain, and America, they created a uniquely Australian style – less formal than its Victorian predecessors and far better suited to the country’s subtropical climate.
If you’re in the market to buy, keep your eye out for some of these houses’ distinctive architectural and decorative flair. And if you’re renovating, you might consider drawing attention or restoring these features to their original glory.
Federation-Style Homes at a Glance
Defining period: c.1890 to c.1915
Key characteristics: Timberwork, verandahs, dominant roof line, chimneys, leadlight windows
Forms: While Federation homes came in many forms and guises, most common were the Queen Anne, Filigree, Arts & Crafts, and Bungalow
If you’re in the market to buy, keep your eye out for some of these houses’ distinctive architectural and decorative flair. And if you’re renovating, you might consider drawing attention or restoring these features to their original glory.
Federation-Style Homes at a Glance
Defining period: c.1890 to c.1915
Key characteristics: Timberwork, verandahs, dominant roof line, chimneys, leadlight windows
Forms: While Federation homes came in many forms and guises, most common were the Queen Anne, Filigree, Arts & Crafts, and Bungalow
Queen Anne. Federation Queen Anne houses came with all the bells and whistles! Well, perhaps not bells and whistles, but they were tricked out with near every other type of ornament to attract attention. Architects revived features of old-English architecture to create houses that were whimsical, theatrical and visually fussy. You’ll find elaborate gables, tall chimneys and picturesque towers; verandahs with timber posts and ornamental brackets, balustrades, and valances; complicated terracotta-tiled roofs embellished along the apex and ridge; and deep red and dark brown brickwork.
Filigree. The Federation Filigree is best recognised for its decorative latticework in cast-iron or timber. Those seen in northern New South Wales or Queensland are better known to us as the charming Queenslander.
While the plan and layout of these homes was often simple and symmetrical, they were fancied-up with latticework, balustrades, and valances designed to create shade and provide shelter from the Australian climate. This ornate timber and cast-iron work also endowed each house with an individual character all it’s own.
While the plan and layout of these homes was often simple and symmetrical, they were fancied-up with latticework, balustrades, and valances designed to create shade and provide shelter from the Australian climate. This ornate timber and cast-iron work also endowed each house with an individual character all it’s own.
Arts & Crafts. Did you know the Federation Arts & Crafts home originated from ideas of “sustainable design” already being formulated in England in the late 19th century? Arts & Crafts architects and designers believed in using natural materials and handcrafted techniques – not too different to bespoke and custom design work today.
In Australia, Arts & Crafts houses were unpretentious and homelike with an emphasis on “earthy” colours, rough cut walls, lots of windows, and an attention to landscaping. The roof was often a dominant element, gussied up with gables, prominent eaves and tall, tapering chimneys.
In Australia, Arts & Crafts houses were unpretentious and homelike with an emphasis on “earthy” colours, rough cut walls, lots of windows, and an attention to landscaping. The roof was often a dominant element, gussied up with gables, prominent eaves and tall, tapering chimneys.
Federation Bungalow. Towards the end of this architectural period came the Federation Bungalow – a transition between the Queen Anne-style and the California Bungalow that became so popular around World War I. Federation Bungalows vary in appearance but are often characterised by a homely simplicity in the form of a single-storey, ground-hugging house.
FIVE KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF FEDERATION-STYLE HOMES
You’ll find many architectural and decorative features to be consistent across Federation-style houses and they all provide character and charm. So, if you’d like to preserve some of your home’s visual history, here are some elements to highlight or restore.
1. Timberwork
Look closely in the timberwork around the entrance or verandah and you might find a true connection to Australia’s federation history. Before the 1900s there were often symbols of flora and fauna embedded in the timberwork as a celebration of the new nation; or a sunrise motif in the front gable as a sign of the dawning of the new century. However, after 1900 it was more common to see the tendril-like, flowing lines and forms of Art Nouveau – the new design movement developing in Europe.
You’ll find many architectural and decorative features to be consistent across Federation-style houses and they all provide character and charm. So, if you’d like to preserve some of your home’s visual history, here are some elements to highlight or restore.
1. Timberwork
Look closely in the timberwork around the entrance or verandah and you might find a true connection to Australia’s federation history. Before the 1900s there were often symbols of flora and fauna embedded in the timberwork as a celebration of the new nation; or a sunrise motif in the front gable as a sign of the dawning of the new century. However, after 1900 it was more common to see the tendril-like, flowing lines and forms of Art Nouveau – the new design movement developing in Europe.
2. Verandahs
The verandah was the most important feature of a Federation house – it was a welcoming entrance for visitors and an outdoor living space for residents. Because of this importance, a range of decorative treatments were applied, including turned columns, spindle friezes, square tapered columns and, of course, the intricate latticework and balustrades found in the Queenslander.
In this recent renovation of a 1904 Queenslander, the architect has incorporated cantilevered bi-fold doors to visually enlarge the interior, to expand the living space across the verandah and to foster easy indoor/outdoor living.
The verandah was the most important feature of a Federation house – it was a welcoming entrance for visitors and an outdoor living space for residents. Because of this importance, a range of decorative treatments were applied, including turned columns, spindle friezes, square tapered columns and, of course, the intricate latticework and balustrades found in the Queenslander.
In this recent renovation of a 1904 Queenslander, the architect has incorporated cantilevered bi-fold doors to visually enlarge the interior, to expand the living space across the verandah and to foster easy indoor/outdoor living.
3. Dominant roof line
Federation-style houses often had complex roof forms with gables, hips, and other adorning motifs. It was also common to see exposed rafter ends peaking out from under a pitched roof.
In this rear extension to a Federation-style home, which provides an all-season outdoor living space, the architect has created a roof line that mimics the peak of the original gables, plus incorporated wooden beams that are visible from both inside and out.
Federation-style houses often had complex roof forms with gables, hips, and other adorning motifs. It was also common to see exposed rafter ends peaking out from under a pitched roof.
In this rear extension to a Federation-style home, which provides an all-season outdoor living space, the architect has created a roof line that mimics the peak of the original gables, plus incorporated wooden beams that are visible from both inside and out.
4. Chimneys
Single or double-stack chimneys, in brick or roughcast, are a regular sight on the roof of a Federation-style house.
In this renovation, the architect has maintained the roofline and distinctive chimneys, while modernising the rear of the house. A series of elongated vertical windows have been cut into the brickwork to lighten and open the interior living spaces. Despite this contrast between the front and the rear of the house, its overall aesthetic remains harmonious due to the original chimneys and roofline.
Single or double-stack chimneys, in brick or roughcast, are a regular sight on the roof of a Federation-style house.
In this renovation, the architect has maintained the roofline and distinctive chimneys, while modernising the rear of the house. A series of elongated vertical windows have been cut into the brickwork to lighten and open the interior living spaces. Despite this contrast between the front and the rear of the house, its overall aesthetic remains harmonious due to the original chimneys and roofline.
5. Leadlight windows
Architects also used decorative leadlight windows in the front entrances, bay windows, fanlights, interconnecting doors, and even cabinets and firescreens. You’ll find geometric and flowing patterns in these beautiful glass displays and, in many cases, they add historic character to a home.
Architects also used decorative leadlight windows in the front entrances, bay windows, fanlights, interconnecting doors, and even cabinets and firescreens. You’ll find geometric and flowing patterns in these beautiful glass displays and, in many cases, they add historic character to a home.
These windows are able to be restored and even moved to other places within the home where they can became prominent design features.
In this 1908 Federation home in Sydney’s Inner West, the architect has restored and installed a leadlight over the family kitchen area. It brings extra light and colour into the home, and is an interesting twist on a more traditional skylight.
In this 1908 Federation home in Sydney’s Inner West, the architect has restored and installed a leadlight over the family kitchen area. It brings extra light and colour into the home, and is an interesting twist on a more traditional skylight.
KNOW YOUR HOUZZ: 5 quick ways to identify a Federation-style house
1. Motifs in the timber or cast-iron latticework.
2. Verandahs with brick or timber columns.
3. Roof in terracotta tiles, pitched slate, or even corrugated iron.
4. Complex roof lines with a variety of gables, roof ventilators, gablets, dormers, and chimneys.
5. Decorative leadlight windows.
1. Motifs in the timber or cast-iron latticework.
2. Verandahs with brick or timber columns.
3. Roof in terracotta tiles, pitched slate, or even corrugated iron.
4. Complex roof lines with a variety of gables, roof ventilators, gablets, dormers, and chimneys.
5. Decorative leadlight windows.
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Looking for more ideas for a Federation home? Don’t miss How to Pick the Right Paint Colours for Your Federation House
Did you find this story useful? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Looking for more ideas for a Federation home? Don’t miss How to Pick the Right Paint Colours for Your Federation House