Flat-Roof Building Styles in the Northeastern U.S.

Early Classical Revival

• The Early Classic Revival dates to 1850 or earlier. During this period, architects looked to older designs for inspiration and combined those designs with the modern features that homeowners wanted. The houses were often built with a flat roof, combined with a gable on a front porch. The gabled roof had a steep pitch, which added texture and dimension to the home. You might find homes with an enclosed porch attached to one side or an addition added to the back or one side. The addition might feature a flat roof or a gabled roof that mimics the design found on other parts of the house.

Neoclassical

• Neoclassical buildings are common in the Northeast United States and date from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. You might recognize the buildings by the large two-story pillars placed on the front of the house that often support porches on the second story or the roof. The flat roof provided room for a roof or a widow’s walk that let homeowners view the ocean or surrounding areas.

Italianate Style

• The Italianate style of building appears in different areas across the country, including the Northeast. On homes, the buildings often featured a hipped roof with a low pitch. Commercial Italianate buildings typically have a flat roof. On both types, decorative brackets along the eaves appear to support the roof. The buildings often have other decorative elements, such as a cupola or tower on the front and long, slender windows.

Modern Styles

• Modern styles include the Prairie style and International style, which achieved popularity during the early to mid-20th century. The Ranch style shares similarities with both styles. International-style buildings have a flat roof, while Prairie styles feature a flat or low-pitched roof that overhangs the sides of the building. The Ranch style of architecture has a roof similar to the Prairie style, but the overhangs are usually much smaller. International-style buildings typically relate to commercial buildings, while Ranch and Prairie are more common in single-family homes.