What Is a Federal Style Facade?

History

• Originating in Britain, the Federal architectural style was developed by the Scotish architect and designer Robert Adam. The Federal style is a variation of the Georgian style of architecture and is sometimes referred to as the "Adam" or "Adamesque" style. During the Federal style's popularity, it was preferred by the wealthy, especially in homes along the Atlantic coast. The Federal style was and continues to be an architectural style used in homes and public buildings, including dozens of government buildings in the U.S.

Federal Style Characteristics

• Federal style architecture is typically characterized by its box shape and exterior with little or no ornamentation. Cornices, which are decorative horizontal members that crown a building just below the roof, are usually embellished with a dentil motif, which is a series of closely spaced, rectangular blocks, and egg-and-dart motif, which is a series of egg-shapes alternating with dart-like shapes. Roofs in Federal style buildings are low pitched and gabled or flat with a balustrade, which is a row of balusters topped by a rail. Homes are usually three stories high and two or more rooms deep.

Federal Style Facade

• Characterized by its double-hung sash windows with louvered shutters and brick exterior, the Federal style facade's windows are symmetrically arranged around the doorway found in the center of the building. The facade often has a second-story, three-part palladium window, which is a large window divided into three parts with an arched middle section. Some Federal style buildings have arched dormer windows, which are windows built out from a sloping roof. Another characteristic of the Federal style facade is a small porch that leads to the entrance with columns with classical detailing, such as Doric, Ionic or Corinthian columns. Additionally, the front door often has a decorative crown over it with a semi-elliptical or semi-circular fanlight above the door and flanking sidelights.

Federal Style Examples

• Some examples of buildings built in the Federal style are the Andrew Safford House and Gardner-White-Pingree House in the McIntire Historic District in Salem, Massachusetts.

  Davenport House in Savannah, Georgia; the Jenks Homestead, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania; The Black Walnut Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts; and the Ruggles House in Columbia Falls, Maine, are all examples of Federal style architecture.