Neo-eclectic architecture

Neo-eclectic architecture is a name for an architectural style that has influenced residential building construction in North America in the latter part of the 20th century and early part of the 21st. It is a contemporary version of Revivalism that has perennially occurred since Neoclassical architecture developed in the mid 18th century.

In contrast to the occasionally faux and low-budget Neo-Eclectic detached homesteads, the term New Classical architecture identifies contemporary buildings that stick to the basic ideals, proportions, materials and craftsmanship of traditional architecture.

Characteristics

Neo-eclectic architecture combines a wide array of decorative techniques taken from an assortment of different house styles. It can be considered a devolution from the clean and unadorned

Georgian Revival architecture combinations are common.^[1]

In Neo-Eclectic architecture the revival elements are almost always decorative, consisting of surface elements such as claddings and windows. Details such as heavy moldings and/or trim (that would be cut stone or plaster in traditional architecture) are usually extruded foam with a stucco veneer. Aside from specifications adjusted for lower quality, newer growth lumber, the basic construction of Neo-Eclectic houses is unchanged from previous house styles such as the ranch-style house. An important development leading to the modern Neo-Eclectic style is the popularity of

EIFS

, a form of external insulation that is easy to apply and can be coloured and shaped to appear like an array of different materials such as stucco and stone.

Critiques

Neo-eclectic architecture is most prominent in what are pejoratively known as

McMansions, but it has been embraced by almost all residential builders.^[2] Across North America most suburbs built in the last three decades can largely be described as Neo-Eclectic ^{[citation needed}

].

Critics of Neo-Eclectic architecture see the style as pretentious, wasteful and/or garish, and unoriginal.[3] Typically and somewhat deceptively, the Neo-Eclectic style plays an instrumental role in making cheaply built, over-sized tract homes on comparatively small parcels of land appear as something far greater than the sum of their parts.

See also

• New Classical Architecture
  , a more accurate reference style to historical architecture.
• Neomodern architecture, a current modernist response.
• Sustainable architecture
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable design
• Snout house
• Mar del Plata style, an Argentine 20th century eclectic style

References

1. ^ "What Not to Build: Do's and Don'ts of Exterior Home Design." By Sandra Edelman, Judith Kay Gaman, Judy Gaman, Robby Reid, Creative Homeowner Press.
2. ^ Frank, Thomas. "Let them eat McMansions! The 1 percent, income inequality, and new-fashioned American excess". Salon. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
3. ^ Cathleen McGuigan, The Mcmansion Next Door, Newsweek, October 27, 2003. Retrieved on 2008-10-26.

External links

• Humanities Web - Neo-Eclectic Style