Eventhough the Victorian Academic Classical Architecture was considered to be a move away from the restrained Greek architectural influences, with its decorative and ornate features, there were some who thought that even this was too restrained a style. They believed in a freer, looser style that could indulge their creative desires. And so it was that Victorian Free Classical Architecture became the style that was ‘liberating’ architects, designers and builders all over the world.

As for the Victorian Academic Classical era, this was a time of great prosperity for the developed nations of the time (mid 1800’s). People were wanting to express their wealth and circumstance with excellent displays of style in all aspects of their lives. In this vein, and also being caught up in the excitement of new found wealth, even civic buildings such as libraries, museums, banks, office blocks, town halls, post offices and the like were being designed and adorned like never before.

Now, unlike ever before, were architects able to really be ‘free’ in their designs, without being restricted to the conventions and style of any particular period. Some would choose windows from one age, doors from another, roofing styles from a third and facades from a fourth. And while symmetry had been an essential feature of many of the styles gone by, it was no longer the basis upon which a building was designed – and some of the results proved quite interesting indeed.

It is interesting to note that this period of architecture also saw the rise of the architectural journal or magazine – in Britain it was The Builder and in America, American Architects’ and Builders’ News. Architects and builders were able to see each other’s designs and of course want to better them. Some liken this period of architectural experimentation and liberation to the Renaissance of the 1700’s. Styles, lines, attitudes and expressions of emotion in architecture were all being re-analysed and re-presented.

Some of the most common characteristics of the age were:

• A great array of classical representations
• Richly adorned facades
• Modelled and formed stucco used in many ways to keep production costs down
• Cupolas and domes used in many interesting ways
• Towers proliferated
• Facades were not always symmetrical – sometimes they were even rounded or curved
• Colonnades were not always regularly spaced

In all, this was an exciting and experimental time for architecture and it was also a time for re-thinking the traditions that had restricted and moulded the past – what would it be like for the future?

For an excellent pictorial representation of this style go to:

http://www.customshouse.com.au/index.html?page=124018

where you will be able to see the Customs House in Brisbane. A magnificent example of many of the features outlined above.