A Greek Revival House Plan is a blueprint for constructing a home inspired by the architectural style of ancient Greece. It typically features symmetrical facades, columns or pilasters, and large porches or verandas. Greek Revival houses were popular in the United States from the 1820s to the 1850s, and they remain popular today for their elegant and timeless design.
One notable example of a Greek Revival house is the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee, the home of former President Andrew Jackson. The Hermitage features a white clapboard exterior with a two-story portico supported by six Doric columns. The interior of the house is equally impressive, with high ceilings, large windows, and elaborate plasterwork.
If you are looking for a house plan that is both classic and stylish, a Greek Revival House Plan may be the perfect choice. These plans offer a wide variety of options to choose from, so you can find the perfect plan to fit your needs and budget.
Greek Revival House Plans are known for their distinctive features, which include:
- Symmetrical facades
- Columns or pilasters
- Large porches or verandas
- Gable roofs
- Tall windows
- Elaborate moldings
- White clapboard exteriors
- Green shutters
These features give Greek Revival houses their characteristically elegant and timeless design.
Symmetrical facades
Symmetrical facades are one of the most distinctive features of Greek Revival houses. This means that the front of the house is divided into two equal halves, with a central doorway or portico. The windows on each side of the doorway are also arranged symmetrically, creating a sense of balance and harmony.
The symmetry of Greek Revival facades is often achieved through the use of columns or pilasters. These vertical supports frame the doorway and windows, and they help to create a sense of order and proportion. The columns or pilasters may be Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian, and they are often topped with elaborate capitals.
In addition to columns or pilasters, Greek Revival facades may also feature other symmetrical elements, such as pediments, cornices, and moldings. These elements help to create a visually interesting and sophisticated facade.
The symmetry of Greek Revival facades is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also serves a practical purpose. By dividing the facade into two equal halves, it creates a sense of balance and stability. This makes the house appear more visually appealing and inviting.
Columns or pilasters
Columns or pilasters are one of the most distinctive features of Greek Revival houses. These vertical supports frame the doorway and windows, and they help to create a sense of order and proportion. The columns or pilasters may be Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian, and they are often topped with elaborate capitals.
- Doric columns are the simplest and most common type of column used in Greek Revival architecture. They are characterized by their plain shaft and simple capital.
- Ionic columns are more slender than Doric columns, and they have a more elaborate capital. The capital is typically decorated with volutes, which are scroll-like ornaments.
- Corinthian columns are the most ornate type of column used in Greek Revival architecture. They have a slender shaft and a capital that is decorated with acanthus leaves and other .
The choice of which type of column to use depends on the overall design of the house. Doric columns are typically used on smaller, simpler houses, while Ionic and Corinthian columns are used on larger, more elaborate houses.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, columns or pilasters also serve a practical purpose. They help to support the weight of the roof and the upper floors of the house. This makes the house more stable and durable.
Large porches or verandas
Large porches or verandas are another distinctive feature of Greek Revival houses. These outdoor spaces provide a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and they also help to protect the house from the elements.
- Provide shade and shelter from the sun and rain.
The large porches or verandas on Greek Revival houses provide much-needed shade and shelter from the sun and rain. This makes them a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, even on hot or rainy days.
- Increase the living space of the house.
The large porches or verandas on Greek Revival houses can also be used to increase the living space of the house. They can be furnished with comfortable chairs and tables, making them a great place to entertain guests or simply relax and enjoy the outdoors.
- Improve the curb appeal of the house.
The large porches or verandas on Greek Revival houses can also improve the curb appeal of the house. They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the house, making it more visually appealing to potential buyers.
- Increase the value of the house.
The large porches or verandas on Greek Revival houses can also increase the value of the house. They are a desirable feature for many buyers, and they can add significant value to the home.
Overall, the large porches or verandas on Greek Revival houses are a valuable asset. They provide a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, they increase the living space of the house, they improve the curb appeal of the house, and they increase the value of the house.
Gable roofs
Gable roofs are another distinctive feature of Greek Revival houses. These roofs are characterized by their two sloping sides that meet at a ridge at the top of the house. The gable ends of the roof are often decorated with elaborate moldings or other architectural details.
- Provide structural support.
Gable roofs are very strong and durable, which makes them ideal for protecting the house from the elements. The two sloping sides of the roof help to shed water and snow, and the ridge at the top of the roof helps to distribute the weight of the roof evenly.
- Create a sense of height and grandeur.
Gable roofs make the house appear taller and more imposing. This is because the two sloping sides of the roof draw the eye upward, creating a sense of height and grandeur.
- Provide additional living space.
The attic space under a gable roof can be converted into additional living space. This space can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a bedroom, a playroom, or a home office.
- Improve the ventilation of the house.
Gable roofs help to improve the ventilation of the house by allowing air to circulate through the attic space. This helps to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Overall, gable roofs are a valuable asset to Greek Revival houses. They provide structural support, create a sense of height and grandeur, provide additional living space, and improve the ventilation of the house.
Tall windows
Tall windows are another distinctive feature of Greek Revival houses. These windows extend from the floor to the ceiling, and they often have multiple panes. The tall windows allow for plenty of natural light to enter the home, and they also provide a view of the outdoors.
- Provide natural light.
The tall windows on Greek Revival houses allow for plenty of natural light to enter the home. This makes the home feel more spacious and inviting, and it also helps to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
- Provide a view of the outdoors.
The tall windows on Greek Revival houses also provide a view of the outdoors. This allows the occupants of the home to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and it also helps to create a sense of connection to the outdoors.
- Improve the ventilation of the house.
The tall windows on Greek Revival houses can also be opened to improve the ventilation of the house. This helps to keep the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- Increase the value of the house.
The tall windows on Greek Revival houses are a desirable feature for many buyers. They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the home, and they can increase the value of the house.
Overall, the tall windows on Greek Revival houses are a valuable asset. They provide natural light, a view of the outdoors, improved ventilation, and increased value.
Elaborate moldings
Elaborate moldings are another distinctive feature of Greek Revival houses. These moldings are used to decorate the exterior and interior of the house, and they add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the home.
The most common types of moldings used on Greek Revival houses include:
- Crown molding: This molding is used to decorate the tops of walls and ceilings. It can be simple or elaborate, and it often features dentils, egg-and-dart motifs, or other classical details.
- Base molding: This molding is used to decorate the bottoms of walls. It is typically simpler than crown molding, but it can also feature decorative details such as fluting or beading.
- Casings: These moldings are used to frame windows and doors. They can be simple or elaborate, and they often feature decorative details such as reeding or rope molding.
- Cornices: These moldings are used to decorate the tops of buildings. They are typically made of wood or metal, and they can be simple or elaborate.
In addition to these common types of moldings, Greek Revival houses may also feature other types of moldings, such as:
- Pediments: These triangular-shaped moldings are used to decorate the tops of windows and doors. They can be simple or elaborate, and they often feature decorative details such as dentils or egg-and-dart motifs.
- Friezes: These horizontal moldings are used to decorate the tops of walls. They can be simple or elaborate, and they often feature decorative details such as triglyphs and metopes.
- Architraves: These moldings are used to frame the sides of windows and doors. They can be simple or elaborate, and they often feature decorative details such as fluting or beading.
The elaborate moldings on Greek Revival houses are not only decorative, but they also serve a practical purpose. They help to protect the house from the elements, and they can also be used to conceal structural flaws.
Overall, the elaborate moldings on Greek Revival houses are a valuable asset. They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the home, they help to protect the house from the elements, and they can also be used to conceal structural flaws.
White clapboard exteriors
White clapboard exteriors are another distinctive feature of Greek Revival houses. Clapboard is a type of siding made from thin, overlapping boards. It is typically painted white, which gives Greek Revival houses their characteristic bright and airy appearance.
There are several reasons why white clapboard was such a popular choice for Greek Revival houses. First, white is a classic color that evokes a sense of purity and elegance. It is also a very versatile color that can be paired with a variety of other colors and styles. Second, white clapboard is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. It is also a durable material that can withstand the elements.
In addition to its aesthetic and practical benefits, white clapboard also has historical significance. In the early 19th century, white was the color of choice for many government buildings and other important structures. This is because white was seen as a symbol of purity and virtue. As a result, many Greek Revival houses were built with white clapboard exteriors in order to emulate the look of these important buildings.
Today, white clapboard exteriors are still a popular choice for Greek Revival houses. They give these homes a classic and elegant look that is both timeless and stylish.
Overall, white clapboard exteriors are a valuable asset to Greek Revival houses. They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the home, they are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain, and they have historical significance.
Green shutters
Green shutters are another distinctive feature of Greek Revival houses. Shutters are hinged panels that can be closed to cover windows and doors. They are typically made of wood, and they are often painted green.
There are several reasons why green shutters were such a popular choice for Greek Revival houses. First, green is a complementary color to white, which is the most common color for Greek Revival exteriors. This means that green shutters help to create a visually pleasing contrast. Second, green is a natural color that evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. This is especially important for Greek Revival houses, which are often located in rural areas.
In addition to their aesthetic benefits, green shutters also have practical benefits. Shutters help to protect windows and doors from the elements, and they can also be used to control the amount of light and air that enters the home. Green shutters are also a good way to add a touch of privacy to the home.
Overall, green shutters are a valuable asset to Greek Revival houses. They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the home, they are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain, and they have both aesthetic and practical benefits.
In addition to the benefits listed above, green shutters can also increase the value of a Greek Revival house. Many buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes with original or historically accurate features. Green shutters are one of the most distinctive features of Greek Revival houses, so they can be a major selling point for potential buyers.
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