Historically, Storybook Style Architecture (SSA) happened over many years and throughout various regions. To identify, we define it as, “… an exciting style of Architecture that contains organically whimsical shapes and forms, few right angles, indigenous use of materials, sustainable design principles, and has carefully considered ornamentation.” It is about thoughtful, considered, responsible and fun (!) living.
Historically, SSA began in Europe from necessity - people built only using local materials. Evidences are seen in Medieval European wealthy and peasant homes. Notable elements included thatched roofs, decorated tile floors, and stone hearths at the center of the home. The peasant homes were traditionally constructed using stucco, while the wealthy homes used natural stone and were thus more permanent. Manor homes had large halls with tall expanses of glass (not common to the poor) and most food was grown at the house… a self-contained and self-sustaining entity.
The Tudor Style, a clear ancestor of SSA, is known by dark wood exposed structure and infilled with a light colored finish, thus creating a distinctive pattern of dark and light. For structures larger than one story, buildings had a bit of a cantilever, allowing each additional floor to be a little larger than the one below it. The exposed structure was often carved in decorative ways. Roofs were thatched, although some were shingled with stone or wood. The buildings were either residential or commercial construction, or both.
So, these elements describe the style, but merely placing decorative items on a building does not transform it into good design, especially when the elements look disproportionate compared to the whole, lack balance in color choice and abounds in overused texture. Next month’s article will show ome examples local to Santa Clarita, modern references to SSA and describe how Storybook Style Architecture is indeed sustainable design.
Historically, SSA began in Europe from necessity - people built only using local materials. Evidences are seen in Medieval European wealthy and peasant homes. Notable elements included thatched roofs, decorated tile floors, and stone hearths at the center of the home. The peasant homes were traditionally constructed using stucco, while the wealthy homes used natural stone and were thus more permanent. Manor homes had large halls with tall expanses of glass (not common to the poor) and most food was grown at the house… a self-contained and self-sustaining entity.
The Tudor Style, a clear ancestor of SSA, is known by dark wood exposed structure and infilled with a light colored finish, thus creating a distinctive pattern of dark and light. For structures larger than one story, buildings had a bit of a cantilever, allowing each additional floor to be a little larger than the one below it. The exposed structure was often carved in decorative ways. Roofs were thatched, although some were shingled with stone or wood. The buildings were either residential or commercial construction, or both.
So, these elements describe the style, but merely placing decorative items on a building does not transform it into good design, especially when the elements look disproportionate compared to the whole, lack balance in color choice and abounds in overused texture. Next month’s article will show ome examples local to Santa Clarita, modern references to SSA and describe how Storybook Style Architecture is indeed sustainable design.
