Monthly Archives: October 2017

Extra Italianate – Octagon House

Our recent look at Italianate Architecture missed one unique, but unfortunately now gone, example. This octagonal villa style was popular between 1850 and 1870. The idea behind octagonal building originated with American phrenologist and amateur architect Orson Fowler, who wrote the book "A Home For All Ages". He cited the more perfect shape of the…Read More

Italianate Halifax 1850-1870

The Italianate style was common in Canada from 1850-1870. It was particularly popular for commercial buildings in Halifax, possibly due to a number of large fires requiring reconstructing entire blocks of the city. The main identifying features of the style include: flat or low sloping roofs symmetrical, with a slightly protruding central section cornices quoins…Read More