Federation architecture is the

architectural style An architectural style is a set of characteristics and features that make a building or other structure notable or historically identifiable. It is a sub-class of style in the visual arts generally, and most styles in architecture relate closely ...

in Australia that was prevalent from around 1890 to 1915. The name refers to the

Federation of Australia The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia (which also governed what is now the Northern Territory), and Western ...

on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia. The architectural style had antecedents in the Queen Anne style and Edwardian style of the United Kingdom, combined with various other influences like the Arts and Crafts style. Other styles also developed, like the Federation Warehouse style, which was heavily influenced by the

Romanesque Revival style Romanesque Revival (or Neo-Romanesque) is a style of building employed beginning in the mid-19th century inspired by the 11th- and 12th-century Romanesque architecture. Unlike the historic Romanesque style, Romanesque Revival buildings tended to ...

. In Australia, Federation architecture is generally associated with cottages in the Queen Anne style, but some consider that there were twelve main styles that characterized the Federation period.

Definition and features

The Federation period overlaps the Edwardian period, which was so named after the reign of

King Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until Death and state funeral of Edward VII, his death in 1910. The second chil ...

(1901–1910); however, as the style preceded and extended beyond Edward's reign, the term "Federation architecture" was coined in 1969. Federation architecture has many similarities to Edwardian Baroque architecture; however, there are significant differences that distinguish the Federation architecture style from the Edwardian Baroque architecture style, particularly due to the embracing of Australiana themes and the use of the verandah in domestic settings. Australian

flora Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...

and

fauna Fauna is all of the animal life present in a particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is ''flora'', and for fungi, it is '' funga''. Flora, fauna, funga and other forms of life are collectively referred to as ''biota''. Zoo ...

are prominently featured, and stylised images of the

New South Wales waratah ''Telopea speciosissima'', commonly known as the New South Wales waratah or simply waratah, is a large shrub in the plant family Proteaceae. It is endemic to New South Wales in Australia and is the floral emblem of that state. No subspecies ...

, flannel flower, Queensland firewheel tree, and other flowers, and the kangaroo,

kookaburra Kookaburras are terrestrial tree kingfishers of the genus ''Dacelo'' native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between in length and weigh around . The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri ''guuguubarra'', onomatopoeic of its call. T ...

, and lyrebird, were common. The Coat of Arms, and rising sun, representing a new dawn in the country of Australia, also appeared regularly on gables. Many Federation buildings, both residential and non-residential, are listed on the

Register of the National Estate The Register of the National Estate was a heritage register that listed natural and cultural heritage places in Australia that was closed in 2007. Phasing out began in 2003, when the Australian National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heri ...

because of their heritage values.

Gardens and garden architecture

Gardens of the period were complex and contained many elements—generally a wider variety of plants than is seen in contemporary plantings, pergolas, rose arches, gazebos and summerhouses. Wooden lattice fences were used to partition parts of the garden off, particularly the front from the more private back. Garden paths could be straight or gently curved, and often edged with glazed edging tiles or bricks, and made of tiles, packed gravel or bricks. patterns for brick paving include stretcher bond, herringbone and basketweave. Asphalt and concrete were not used. Plants were selected to produce year-round colour and interest in the local climate conditions. Initially, evergreen trees were used, but the denseness of shade led to increasing popularity of deciduous trees such as '' Jacaranda'', flowering plum and peppercorn. Palms often framed the garden vista, and the native Cootamundra wattle was popular, as were shrubs such as camellias and standard roses. Conservatories contained begonias and '' Adiantum'' ferns.

Styles

There are twelve styles that predominated in the Federation period: * Federation Academic Classical * Federation Free Classical * Federation Filigree * Federation Anglo-Dutch * Federation Romanesque * Federation Gothic * Federation Carpenter Gothic * Federation Warehouse * Federation Queen Anne * Federation Free Style * Federation Arts and Crafts * Federation Bungalow

Residential architecture

Of the twelve Federation styles, there are four that were mainly used in residential architecture. They are Federation Queen Anne style, Federation Filigree style, Federation Arts and Craft style, and Federation Bungalow style.

Federation Queen Anne

The Federation Queen Anne style was designed to embrace the outdoor lifestyles of the Australian people. Most homes have asymmetric gables, white-painted window frames, front verandas with decorative timber features, tiling on the patio floor and entry paths. The brickwork is usually a deep red or dark brown, often with a mix of the two. The roofs are typically terracotta tiles with decorative gables (sometimes adorned with

finial A finial (from '' la, finis'', end) or hip-knob is an element marking the top or end of some object, often formed to be a decorative feature. In architecture, it is a small decorative device, employed to emphasize the apex of a dome, spire, t ...

s), motifs, timber features, tall chimneys and fretwork. Decorative leadlight windows are also common, as are circular windows (known as bulls-eye windows). Federation homes also have decorative internal features in the plasterwork, high ceilings and timber features. Some outstanding examples are West Maling, Penshurst Avenue, Penshurst, New South Wales; Turramurra Ingleholme, Boomerang Street, Turramurra, New South Wales (former home of architect John Sulman); and Caerleon, Bellevue Hill, the first Queen Anne home in Australia. The Federation Queen Anne style was the most popular residential style in Australia between 1890 and 1910. File:(1)Caerleon.jpg, Caerleon, Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, first Queen Anne home in Australia File:(1)Amesbury 033.jpg, ''Amesbury'',

Ashfield, New South Wales Ashfield is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Ashfield is about 8 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district. Ashfield's population is highly multicultural. Its urban density is ...

. Built c.1888. File:Hillcrest, 29 High St, East Launceston.JPG, ''Hillcrest'', Launceston, Tasmania File:Federation home South Yarra.jpg, Federation Queen Anne mansion in South Yarra, Victoria File:(1) Burwood Appian Way 6.jpg, 'Vallambrosa',

Appian Way The Appian Way ( Latin and Italian: ''Via Appia'') is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Brindisi, in southeast Italy. Its importance is indicated by its common name, ...

, Burwood, New South Wales, Federation Queen Anne style File:Alba Longa Burwood.jpg, 'Alba Longa', Federation Queen Anne home, Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales

Federation Filigree

The Federation Filigree style is common in the hotter parts of Australia, especially in the north, since it is designed to create shade while allowing for the free flow of air. It is a common sight in Queensland and is sometimes known as the Queensland style. Some outstanding examples are Belltrees House, Scone, New South Wales; private home, Roderick Street, Ipswich, Queensland; and terrace of homes, east side of High Street, Millers Point, New South Wales. File:(1) Derry(former home of May Gibbs)1.jpg, 'Derry', a good example of Federation Filigree in Neutral Bay, New South Wales File:(1)Federation Home Woollahra Sydney.jpg, A Filligree Queen Anne style house in Woollahra, New South Wales File:Dilhorn House.jpg, Dilhorn House, Perth File:Federation mansion Beecroft 001b.jpg, Federation Filigree, Beecroft, New South Wales

Federation Arts and Crafts

The Federation Arts and Crafts style had its origins in England, where architects were reacting to the impersonal nature of the Industrial Revolution. Crafts and handiwork were emphasised to give architecture the "human touch". These influences were absorbed into Federation Australia, where the resulting buildings were generally small-scale to medium-scale and predominantly residential. Outstanding examples are Glyn, Kooyong road, Toorak, Victoria; The Crossways, Martin Road, Centennial Park, New South Wales; and Erica, Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales. Image:(1)_Ailsa.jpg, 'Ailsa', Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Federation Arts and Crafts style Image:Burwood_Appian_Way_10.JPG, 'St Ellero', 5 Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales, Federation Arts and Crafts style

Federation Bungalow

The Federation Bungalow style was the Australian response to the bungalow style that was developed in America by people like Gustav Stickley. It can be seen as a transition phase between the Federation Queen Anne style and the California Bungalow style that took on later. Stylistically, it exploited the qualities of the bungalow while frequently retaining the flair and idiosyncrasies of the Queen Anne style, although usually in simplified form. Outstanding examples are Nee Morna, Nepean Highway, Sorrento, Victoria; Blythewood, Beecroft Road, Cheltenham New South Wales; and The Eyrie, Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, New South Wales. Image:Federation cottage Beecroft 001a.jpg, Federation cottage, Beecroft, New South Wales Image:SydneyBuilding0127.jpg, 'Cassa Tasso', Appian Way, Burwood, New South Wales, Federation Bungalow Image:(1)Federation_Bungalow_Perouse_Road_Randwick.jpg, Federation Bungalow, Randwick, New South Wales Image:(1)Federation_Bungalow_Bondi_Sydney.jpg, Federation Bungalow, Bondi, New South Wales, with Italianate touches

Federation Revival

During the early-1990s, many of the design elements that characterised the Federation architecture of old were popularised in mainstream architecture. This Federation revival form is also known as "mock Federation" or "faux Federation". The style was widespread within the realm of residential housing (especially in new development suburbs) and for apartment buildings; however, smaller shopping centres and other public buildings also made use of the revival style that retained widespread popularity until the early 2000s. Suburbs of Sydney that developed in the 1990s—such as Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, and Menai—are notable in the sense that large tracts of these developments contain almost exclusively Federation revival homes. The construction of Federation revival architecture varied little from that of other basic styles, with the Federation elements merely forming the facade and decorating elements of the building. For example, the typical brick and roof tile construction, hexagonal turrets, ornate

gable A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system used, which reflects climate, material availability, and aest ...

work,

s, prominent verandah, steep pitched roofs, and faceted

bay window A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room. Types Bay window is a generic term for all protruding window constructions, regardless of whether they are curved or angular, or ...

s served to parallel the traditional Federation architecture. File:(1)Field Place house.jpg, Federation revival home in Wahroonga, Sydney File:34 Dudley Avenue, Roseville, New South Wales (2011-07-17).jpg, Federation revival home in Roseville, Sydney File:Apartments, 8-10 Russell Avenue, Lindfield, New South Wales (2011-07-17).jpg, Federation revival apartments in Lindfield, Sydney File:Apartments, Kingsway, Miranda, New South Wales (2010-07-25) 02.jpg, Federation revival apartments in Miranda, Sydney (c. 1995) File:(1)house_Kingsford_Sydney-3.jpg, Federation revival house in

Kingsford, Sydney Kingsford is a suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Kingsford is located 7 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Randwick. Kings ...

File:(1)Federation Revival house Kensington.jpg, Federation revival house in Kensington, Sydney File:(1)Federation Revival house Gordon Street Blacktown.jpg, A house in Blacktown, Greater Western Sydney File:(1)Federation Revival house Pretoria Parade.jpg, A house in Hornsby, Sydney File:60 Clanville Road, Roseville, New South Wales (2011-07-17).jpg,

Roseville Roseville may refer to: Australia *Roseville, New South Wales Canada * Roseville, Ontario Malta * RoseVille (aka Villa Roseville), a house in Attard, Malta South Africa *Roseville, Pretoria, a suburb United Kingdom *Roseville, Dudley United S ...

, Sydney

Non-residential architecture

Federation non-residential buildings can be in any of the twelve styles. The following gallery shows some examples of non-residential buildings. Image:Bank_building_sydney0003.jpg, Former bank building, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (Federation Free Classical) Image:MaryImmaculateChurch.jpg, Mary Immaculate Church, Waverley, New South Wales (Federation Academic Classical) Image:1_Our_Lady_of_the_Sacred_Heart.JPG, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent, Kensington, New South Wales (Federation Gothic) Image:(1)Darlinghurst_Fire_Station-c.jpg, Fire Station, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (Federation Free Style, designed by Walter Liberty Vernon) Image:Fremantle Markets.jpg, Fremantle Markets,

Fremantle, Western Australia Fremantle () () is a port A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can als ...

(Federation Romanesque) Image:(1)St_Marys_Townsville.jpg, St. Mary's Church, Townsville,

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

(Federation Carpenter Gothic) Image:1_Salvation_Army_building.jpg, Salvation Army building,

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

, Queensland (Federation Filigree style) Image:(1)Farmers_and_Graziers_Wattle_St_Ultimo_Sydney-1a.jpg, Former Farmers and Graziers Building, Ultimo, New South Wales (Federation Warehouse style)

Federation architects

Notable Federation architects in Australia include: *

Rodney Alsop This is a list of Australian architects. A '' Return to top of page'' B '' Return to top of page'' C '' Return to top of page'' D '' Return to top of page'' E '' Return to top of page'' F '' Return to top of page'' G ...

* Harold Desbrowe Annear * Albert Edmund Bates (

Rockhampton Rockhampton is a city in the Rockhampton Region of Central Queensland, Australia. The population of Rockhampton in June 2021 was 79,967, Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018. making it the fourth-largest city in the state outside of ...

, Queensland) * Hillson Beasley * A. L. Buchanan * Henry Budden CBE * Walter Butler *

Hugh Hamilton Campbell Hugh Hamilton Campbell (1856–1934) was an architect in Warwick, Queensland, Australia. Some of his works are now heritage-listed. Early life Campbell was born in Thurso, Caithness Caithness ( gd, Gallaibh ; sco, Caitnes; non, Katanes ...

( Warwick, Queensland) * Claude William Chambers (Qld) * John James Clark *

Robin Dods Robert Smith (Robin) Dods (9 June 1868 – 23 July 1920) was a New Zealand-born Australian architect. Personal life Dods was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on 9 June 1868. His parents were Robert Smith Dods (a wholesale grocer) and Elizabeth Gray ...

George Thomas Eaton George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

(Rockhampton, Queensland) * Richard Gailey (

, Queensland) * George Brockwell Gill (

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and borough in Suffolk, England, of which it is the county town. The town is located in East Anglia about away from the mouth of the River Orwell and the North Sea. Ipswich is both on the Great Eastern Main Line r ...

, Queensland) * Carlyle Greenwell * William Hodgen (

Toowoomba Toowoomba ( , nicknamed 'The Garden City' and 'T-Bar') is a city in the Toowoomba Region of the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia. It is west of Queensland's capital city Brisbane by road. The urban population of Toowoomba as of the 2021 ...

, Queensland) * Sir Talbot Hobbs * John Horbury Hunt *

Edward Jeaffreson Jackson This is a list of Australian architects. A '' Return to top of page'' B '' Return to top of page'' C '' Return to top of page'' D '' Return to top of page'' E '' Return to top of page'' F '' Return to top of page'' G ...

(Sydney to 1908) * Howard Joseland * George Sydney Jones * Henry Hardie Kemp *

Harry Marks Harry Marks may refer to: * Harry Marks (journalist), British politician and journalist * Harry Marks (broadcast designer) Harry Marks (March 11, 1931 - April 21, 2019) was a British-American broadcast designer who was renowned for his work in ...

(Toowoomba) * George McRae * Thomas Pollard Sampson * Sir John Sulman * George Temple-Poole *

Beverley Ussher Beverley Ussher may refer to: * Beverley Ussher (MP) (c. 1700–1757), Irish member of Parliament * Beverley Ussher (architect) Beverley Ussher (born Melbourne 1868; died Melbourne, 9 June 1908) was articled to Melbourne architect Alfred Dunn. ...

* Walter Liberty Vernon *

B. J. Waterhouse Bertrand James Waterhouse OBE, FRAIA, FRIBA (8 February 1876 – 2 December 1965) was an English-born Australian architect and artist. Early life B. J. Waterhouse, as he was commonly known, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, and was the s ...

References

Notes

Bibliography

Archi Centre - The Federation House

* ''The Heritage of Australia'', Macmillan Company, 1981

External links

{{Commons category, Federation architecture in Australia
Federation Architecture
at Flickr
Gallery of Federation Architecture

Gallery of Sydney Architecture

Federation House
Architectural styles Australian architectural history * Edwardian architecture Australia Housing in Australia