This is the last one in the Victorian range of architectural styles. And as the name suggests is testament to the talents and skills of the carpenter – a person armed with wood, hammer and nails. This style was developed to not only showcase the skill of these builders, but to provide a more budget-oriented alternative to brick or masonry buildings.

The types of building that were best suited to this style of course, were domestic housing and small churches or meeting halls. It was first popularised for buildings, mainly churches, in the South Pacific where budgets were almost non-existent and the need for places of worship plentiful (depending on who you talk to).  It was also prevalent in areas in Australia where wood was the most plentiful building material. There were some larger and more intricate Carpenter Gothic designs, but for the most part, it was smaller.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s it was possible to have a wooden, weatherboard home erected for around £95, whereas a brick home would set you back about £200. It’s easy to see why there are so many older Australian suburbs where there is an abundance of weatherboard houses.

One of the quaintest and most recognisable qualities of this style is the use of wooden lining on the inside of the walls only. The outer walls have often been left with the noggings and braces exposed – they really do look like someone forgot to put on the outer walls, and yet it is this very quality that gives them their charm and aesthetic ambience.

Typically the buildings have steep roofs with galvanised iron sheeting. And there are few other adornments or embellishments – the occasional bell tower appears or the odd entry into the church, but apart from these, the rest is really rather plain.

The charm and endearing qualities of these amazing structures can be http://www.google.com.au/images?q=Victorian%20carpenter%20gothic%20architecture&rls=com.microsoft:en-au:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGLL_en&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi”>viewed online

The downside to this quaintness of course was the fire hazard that was presented by these buildings, especially during winter when fires would result from stray embers and the like.

After this style of architecture it was time for the birth of the Federation era – a grand and wonderful era in its own right.