Architecture
So You Live in an ... Italianate-Style House
From cuisine and wine to art and fashion – and of course architecture – the Italian influence is pervasive. È amore!
The Italian influence in Australian architecture has not only been widespread, it has been long-running. Since the mid-19th century, classical features of Italianate architecture have been adapted to Victorian-era terraces, 20th-century mansions and modern suburban homes in order for them to resemble grand Italian villas.
Italianate was a distinct 19th-century strain of architecture, derived and inspired by 16th-century Italian renaissance architecture. In the early 1800s, British architects, designers and builders adopted models of Italian architecture seen on their Grand Tour of Europe and developed a style of architecture with both intricate and detailed motifs, and a sense of monumentality and symmetry associated with Italian architecture. Architects and developers in Australia in the mid-to-late 1800s, heavily influenced by the British, channeled these features into Australian domestic and civic architecture; and many are still seen in suburban architecture today.
Italianate-Style Houses at a Glance
Defining period: 1870s-1890s; late-20th century to recent
Key characteristics: classical ornamentation; loggia; highly decorated facade; proportion and symmetry; tall windows; low-pitched roof; manicured gardens; balconettes; projecting front room
Italianate was a distinct 19th-century strain of architecture, derived and inspired by 16th-century Italian renaissance architecture. In the early 1800s, British architects, designers and builders adopted models of Italian architecture seen on their Grand Tour of Europe and developed a style of architecture with both intricate and detailed motifs, and a sense of monumentality and symmetry associated with Italian architecture. Architects and developers in Australia in the mid-to-late 1800s, heavily influenced by the British, channeled these features into Australian domestic and civic architecture; and many are still seen in suburban architecture today.
Italianate-Style Houses at a Glance
Defining period: 1870s-1890s; late-20th century to recent
Key characteristics: classical ornamentation; loggia; highly decorated facade; proportion and symmetry; tall windows; low-pitched roof; manicured gardens; balconettes; projecting front room
2. Loggia
A loggia is a covered exterior gallery, porch or corridor in which the outer wall is supported by a succession of columns or arches and open to the elements. It may be on an upper level or ground level – or both, as in this Victorian-era terrace in Melbourne.
This house also features a series of balustrades along the loggia and the parapet of the roof, as well as beautifully patterned and coloured tiles leading to the entrance.
Take a look inside
A loggia is a covered exterior gallery, porch or corridor in which the outer wall is supported by a succession of columns or arches and open to the elements. It may be on an upper level or ground level – or both, as in this Victorian-era terrace in Melbourne.
This house also features a series of balustrades along the loggia and the parapet of the roof, as well as beautifully patterned and coloured tiles leading to the entrance.
Take a look inside
3. Highly decorated facade
This decorative facade draws on Italianate architecture with the incorporation of columns, capitals, and arched entrances. However, it also has a distinct Australian flavour – as many Italianate villas did at this time – with a decorative filigree or cast-iron verandah and sunrise motifs that reference Australian’s federation and the dawn of a new era.
This decorative facade draws on Italianate architecture with the incorporation of columns, capitals, and arched entrances. However, it also has a distinct Australian flavour – as many Italianate villas did at this time – with a decorative filigree or cast-iron verandah and sunrise motifs that reference Australian’s federation and the dawn of a new era.
4. Proportion and symmetry
Renaissance architects were inspired by the carefully proportioned and highly symmetrical buildings of Classical Greece and Rome, and that influence has continued throughout the centuries. It provides a sense of monumentality and grandness, and a harmony of forms.
This two-storey home in Perth features a facade with symmetrical windows, a centrally placed portico with columns, and a low pitched roof; and it is both picturesque and regal at the same time.
Renaissance architects were inspired by the carefully proportioned and highly symmetrical buildings of Classical Greece and Rome, and that influence has continued throughout the centuries. It provides a sense of monumentality and grandness, and a harmony of forms.
This two-storey home in Perth features a facade with symmetrical windows, a centrally placed portico with columns, and a low pitched roof; and it is both picturesque and regal at the same time.
6. Low-pitched roof
A low-pitched, hipped roof with overhanging eaves was popular in Renaissance architecture and has been adopted to Italianate-style architecture. This house also features a contemporary pediment and crown above the entrance of the house.
A low-pitched, hipped roof with overhanging eaves was popular in Renaissance architecture and has been adopted to Italianate-style architecture. This house also features a contemporary pediment and crown above the entrance of the house.
7. Manicured gardens
This grand house has many of the characteristic Italianate features – a loggia, tall windows, low-pitched roof, symmetry and proportion. And the Italian influence extends to the manicured and well-presented gardens. Italians valued order and beauty in the garden so they could enjoy the view of the outdoors and contemplate the world in an era of enlightenment. They incorporated a variety of features including grottoes, fountains, and statues for the pleasure of owners and to impress guests.
More: So Your Garden Style Is: Formal
This grand house has many of the characteristic Italianate features – a loggia, tall windows, low-pitched roof, symmetry and proportion. And the Italian influence extends to the manicured and well-presented gardens. Italians valued order and beauty in the garden so they could enjoy the view of the outdoors and contemplate the world in an era of enlightenment. They incorporated a variety of features including grottoes, fountains, and statues for the pleasure of owners and to impress guests.
More: So Your Garden Style Is: Formal
8. Balconette
Balconettes (often referred to as Juliet Balconies after the famous scene from Romeo and Juliet) are false balconies – a railing outside a floor-length window that has the appearance of a balcony. They do not protrude from the building, but rather are ornamental – adding to the decorativeness of the facade – and a restraint when double glass doors are opened inwards.
Balconettes (often referred to as Juliet Balconies after the famous scene from Romeo and Juliet) are false balconies – a railing outside a floor-length window that has the appearance of a balcony. They do not protrude from the building, but rather are ornamental – adding to the decorativeness of the facade – and a restraint when double glass doors are opened inwards.
9. Projecting rooms
Bay windows were common on later Italianate houses in the 19th century. This more recent house has a projecting room that takes the form a three-sided bay window. A projecting room or bay window captures more light, ventilation, and space within the interior of the home.
Step inside this home
Bay windows were common on later Italianate houses in the 19th century. This more recent house has a projecting room that takes the form a three-sided bay window. A projecting room or bay window captures more light, ventilation, and space within the interior of the home.
Step inside this home
Finally, looking to a different style of Italian architecture, this Brisbane house set on 10 acres of land, calls on the style of villas and farmhouses seen in Tuscany and other areas of both Italy and France. It’s rustic, welcoming, and comfortable in Mediterranean colours and at one with its local environment.
YOUR SAY
Do you have an Italianate-style house? Share your photos in the comments section.
MORE
So You Live in a … California Bungalow
So You Live in a … Federation House
So You Live in a … Pavilion-Style House
So You Live in a … Weatherboard House
YOUR SAY
Do you have an Italianate-style house? Share your photos in the comments section.
MORE
So You Live in a … California Bungalow
So You Live in a … Federation House
So You Live in a … Pavilion-Style House
So You Live in a … Weatherboard House
The Italianate style was hugely popular in Melbourne’s expanding suburbs in the 1870s to 1890s as the prosperity and optimism of the Gold Rush spread throughout the city. Italianate features were indeed a symbol of wealth.
In this decorative villa with intricate lacework, a highly rendered parapet – the large decorative, rectangular structure above the cast-iron lacework – is used to deliberately hide the corrugated gable roof. As was typical of the era, the parapet featured the name of the house, and was topped with a pediment and crown.