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Introduction: of the era, was prevalent in Australia from around 1890 to 1915. The style’s name refers to the Federation of Australia on January 1st, 1901 when six British colonies inhabiting Australian land since the late seventeenth century collectively formed the Commonwealth of Australia. Such a civic advance in the region engendered a new national identity that also inspired architectural expressions.
An overview of the Federation Architecture
What is Federation Architecture?
Federation Architecture, the architectural style that signifies the fundamental correspondence of social-political-cultural phenomena and architecture of the era, was prevalent in Australia from around 1890 to 1915. The style’s name refers to the Federation of Australia on January 1st, 1901 when six British colonies inhabiting Australian land since the late seventeenth century collectively formed the Commonwealth of Australia. Such a civic advance in the region engendered a new national identity that also inspired architectural expressions.
The style essentially carried the flamboyant mix of European architecture with influences of the Arts and Crafts Movement and the native Australian environment, native flora, and fauna. Queen Anne style and the Edwardian style of the United Kingdom being the antecedents, characteristic features of both are vividly observed in the structures built during the Federation period. Also, depending on various contextual factors, many versions of the Federation style were developed in the region, such as the Federation Warehouse style, carrying influences of the Romanesque Revival style, Federation Academic Classical, Federation Filigree, Federation Anglo-Dutch, Federation Romanesque, Federation Gothic, Federation Carpenter Gothic, Federation Queen Anne, Federation Arts and Crafts, Federation Bungalow, etc.
Characteristic Features Of The Style
It was a time of reform in Australia, and a major restructuring of the mining, agricultural and industrial sectors could be observed at various locations. Rejuvenation of public spaces was done through increased tree plantation, formation of public gardens, and installation of ornamental water features, eventually transforming the cities.
Federation architecture style could be observed in majestic residences of the initial years of the Australian commonwealth. Nestled in new middle-class suburbs, these residences took thoughtful advantage of hills, vistas, and boulevards. Defined setbacks of tree-lined avenues and designed gardens accommodating asymmetrical layouts are some of the salient features of the style.
Combinations of deciduous and European native trees were prevalent in Federation gardens. The composition of built and unbuilt could achieve integration with nature. In general, the region’s hot climate was seen as being combated with wide and deep encircling verandahs supported on timber posts with high ceilings, intricately ornate arched valances, and brackets. Huge roofs, often with Dutch hips, divided in multiple gables, and made of terracotta tiles or corrugated iron with decorative ridge capping, were identical. Towers, roof ventilators, chimneys often stuccoed, and gargoyles were additional elements.
Structures were normally single-storey with bigger volumes of housing dormer attics. Interiors, as well as exteriors to some extent, had timber weatherboards with bold colour schemes. Walls, mostly cavity walls with Red pressed Hoffman bricks having flush mortar joints or tuck-pointing, side-hung casement windows with stained glass, front doors with elaborate recessed panels, fanlights, and coloured and patterned glazing, can best describe the facades. Decorative Tudor features are seen on gable ends. Timber fretwork motifs included sunrays, parrots, kangaroos, and native flora. Elaborate timber pickets, posts, and rails made the fences. Set between high masonry posts, simple cut-out patterns like arrows, spades, squares, and circles, with scalloping or swagging in the profile, define the boundaries.
Exemplary Works Of Federation Style
More can be understood about the federation style through certain exemplary structures of the era.
Gower
Designed by the architects Hennessy and Hennessy, Gower is a significant and intact example of the Federation Queen Anne style, erected during 1912-15 AD. Its interior features are the most appreciated. Intricate details and fixtures enhance the original layout of the house. The predominant character is the asymmetrical composition emphasising the gable, slate roof components. The dichromatic face of brickwork and bay presents a striking street frontage. It has historical and social importance as it represents the example of the built space of the era belonging to the gentry of the Randwick district.
Babworth House
It is one of the grand, finest and most intact examples of an early twentieth-century Federation Arts and Crafts style in grand domestic architecture in Australia.
The intricacy and unique character of the exterior and interior details, flaunting the references to Art Nouveau and neoclassical motifs and forms, makes it a rare composition built-in style.
The workmanship in the detailing of external cement rendering of facades underlines the sound technical capability of that period.
Fairwater
A rare example of the combined works of John Horbury Hunt and James Williamson Manson, Fairwater showcases the significant structure of federation style achieved by sympathetical enlargement of the Hunt era house.
A series of timbered gables in the Arts and Craft style embellishes Hunt’s simple form with a series of projecting bay windows and balconies with battened ends and pebble dash finish define the roof.
Astonishing face brickwork with rusticated sandstone details on the exteriors, stained glass picture windows, painted ceiling, decorative mosaic floor, door leaves and furniture, panelled walls, and chimneypieces in the interiors form a masterpiece of the style.
The ground is held by massive, still intact retaining walls embracing many old trees such as a Bunya Pine, Port Jackson Figs, Silky Oaks, Camphor Laurels, and Jacarandas.
Hollowforth
“This is a dramatic and innovative architectural statement in the shingle style by one of the Federation era’s leading architects, ” stated North Sydney Heritage Study Review Inventory. Hollowforth forms one of Horbury Hunt’s commissions to represent one of the finest examples of this style within NSW. The house was designed by architect E. Jeaffreson Jackson in cooperation with S. G. Thorp for Professor Threlfalland and completed in 1893.
It is a two-storey house with attic rooms. The asymmetric picturesque design with large wall areas of timber shingles makes it stand different. Undulating stone garden walls with fluid geometric patterns can best describe the exterior. The composition of numerous stopped hips, dormer windows, and massive brick chimneys defines the roofscape. The projecting first floor resting on exposed timber beams makes the elevation dynamic.
The lead lighting, tapered stair balusters, and interiors joinery details refer to Art Nouveau’s fine characters. This building is said to be designed in the Federation Arts and Crafts style.
The Highlands
Highlands is one of the fine works of John Horbury Hunt’s interpretation of the Shingle Style.
Along with the recessed verandahs and sweeping skirts to keep water away, Highlands also displays several unusual features, a half-glass door and a distinctive chimney stack being the most vivid.
The Federation style, through numerous majestic examples, manifests the fascinating confluence of the rulers’ architectural traditions and the native spatial expressions and varied influences of global art movements of a particular era in world architectural history.
References:
Bendigo, C. o. g., n.d. City of greater Bendigo. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Heritage
[Accessed March 2023].
Painters, H., n.d. Heritage Painters. [Online]
Available at: https://heritagepainter.com.au/
[Accessed March 2023].
home, F., n.d. Federation home. [Online]
Available at: https://federationhome.com/
[Accessed March 2023].
