Discover the Unique and Charming Shingle Style Architecture of New England
Shingle Style is a unique architectural style that emerged in the late 19th century and became popular in the early 20th century. It originated in New England, particularly along the coast of Massachusetts, and it’s characterized by its use of shingles as cladding material for both roofs and walls.
The Shingle Style was a response to the Victorian architecture that was dominant at the time. Victorians were known for their elaborate ornamentation, asymmetrical designs, and eclectic mishmash of styles. In contrast, Shingle Style aimed for simplicity, harmony with nature, and a focus on texture rather than decoration.
One of the most famous examples of Shingle Style is Kragsyde Mansion in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. Built-in 1885 by Boston architect Charles McKim for George Nixon Black Jr., Kragsyde Mansion sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The house features an irregular roofline with multiple gables covered in wooden shingles that blend into the surrounding trees. The exterior walls are also clad entirely in shingles painted in natural colors such as grey-green or brown.
Another notable example of Shingle Style is Naumkeag Estate located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Designed by Stanford White of McKim Mead & White architects firm between 1886-1899 for Joseph Hodges Choate (1832–1917), Naumkeag Estate consists of several buildings including a main house, carriage house, stable complex, and gardens spread over acres of land. Like Kragsyde Mansion, Naumkeag Estate features an irregular roofline with intersecting gables covered in cedar shingles stained dark brown to blend with the surrounding foliage.
Shingle Style houses often have porches that wrap around one or more sides of the building creating outdoor living spaces shaded from direct sunlight while enjoying views towards gardens or landscapes beyond them.
The interior design of Shingle Style houses is typically open and spacious, with high ceilings, large windows to maximize natural light and provide views of the surrounding landscape. The use of wood is prevalent in Shingle Style homes, from the shingles on the exterior to wooden floors, paneling, and beams on the interior.
Shingle Style also influenced other architectural styles such as Arts & Crafts and Prairie School. Arts & Crafts architects like Greene & Greene in California adopted some aspects of Shingle Style including its emphasis on simplicity and natural materials. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School style incorporated horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, and wide eaves that can trace their roots back to the Shingle Style.
In conclusion, Shingle Style is an architectural style that emphasizes simplicity, harmony with nature, and texture over decoration. Its use of shingles as cladding material for both roofs and walls creates a seamless blend between house and landscape. Shingle-style architecture has left a lasting impact on American architecture inspiring later styles such as Arts & Crafts or Prairie School.