Categories > Guides and Tips
Urban Evolution: The History of Building Styles in Perth
As the biggest city in Western Australia, Perth is home to many of the state’s famous man-made wonders. That includes the city’s architectural heritage, which it wears like a well-worn cloak.
From the simplicity of Federation bungalows to the innovative lines of modernist architecture, this city’s buildings tell stories of history, culture, and innovation.
Let’s discuss in detail the various building styles that have propagated throughout Perth’s history and see if there are any distinct structures that still showcase these impressive styles of architecture.
What are the various building styles in Perth?
Throughout history, the various building styles that popped up in Perth are Georgian-style, Victorian-style, Italianate, Federation Bungalow, Art Deco, modernist, and modern two-storey home architectures.
Let’s discuss the history, design, and significance of these architectural styles in the following sections below.
Georgian Style
Photo credit: sunever_sue
Let’s start back when Perth was still in its infancy and when it was referred to as the Swan River Colony. Starting from 1829 until the late 1830s, all of the structures built in the city were based on Georgian-style architecture.
Named after the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover, this architectural style was prominent between 1714 and 1830 and was considered a revival of classical architecture common during the height of Greek and Roman civilisations.
This architecture features a simple design that places a heavy emphasis on symmetry and proportion. It also showcases classical motifs that are commonly featured in ancient temples, like columns, entablatures, and pilasters.
Furthermore, it emphasises the use of repetitive elements like windows and doors to establish a sense of continuity and cohesion throughout the building’s design.
This building style’s simplistic yet elegant design was of tremendous help to the early settlers of Perth, as it didn’t require highly skilled labourers to build.
Initially, most Georgian-style structures in the city were considered rudimentary and rough (The City of Vincent).
Also, due to the warmer conditions in Perth, many Georgian-style houses built back then tended to feature a veranda to protect the interior rooms from the harsh sun.
However, as soon as more experienced settlers arrived in Perth, sturdier and more elegant buildings started to pop up all around the colony. One of those is the Old Court House, which is the oldest public building in the city that still stands today.
If you’re interested in checking it out, you’ll find it located between Stirling Gardens and Supreme Court Gardens.
Victorian Style
Photo credit: helloperth
As the British Empire continued to grow throughout the decades, so too did the budding town of Perth. From the early 1840s until the start of the 20th century, many buildings in the city were designed with Victorian-style architecture.
Named after the famous monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria, this building style is known for its captivating blend of historical revival styles and intricate ornamentation.
Considered a revival of Gothic architecture, the Victorian style relies heavily on distinct features like steep roofs, towers, bay windows, and ornate woodwork. A key reason why this building style became so popular is thanks to rapid industrialisation.
Thanks to steam-powered sawmills, the creation of ornate building designs became cheap and easily accessible. In fact, even low-income families back then could afford to include patterns in their homes and make them look more elegant (HGTV).
As for Perth specifically, the Victorian style quickly became the prominent building style back then as it coincided with the great mining boom of Western Australia.
That’s why there are plenty of historic landmarks in Perth that feature this building style. If you want to see one in person, one of the best ones to visit is the Perth Town Hall, located beside Barrack Street in the Perth CBD.
Other notable Victorian-style structures you can also visit are St. George’s Cathedral and Wesley Church, both also located in the Perth CBD.
Italianate
Photo credit: oldtowerhouse
Another building style that gained popularity alongside Victorian-style architecture back in the mid-19th century was Italianate architecture. Inspired by Tuscan late-mediaeval farmhouses, this style became known as a symbol of wealth in Perth.
A building style made famous by its picturesque aesthetics, Italianate architecture heavily featured low-pitched roofs, pedimented windows, and balustrades to separate it from other famous building styles during its era.
Some Italianate buildings also included a belvedere tower to serve as an excellent lookout spot for their inhabitants and guests.
Similar to Victorian-style architecture, this building style also rose in popularity thanks to industrialisation. Furthermore, the newfound wealth Perthites gained during the mining boom allowed them to go with this slightly pricier architecture.
Thanks to its massive popularity back then, you’ll find plenty of buildings in the city today that feature this unique and awe-inspiring architecture. An example is the Old Tower House, a wedding chapel located beside Francis Street in Northbridge.
Other notable examples are the Government House, located in the Perth CBD, and the North Perth Lesser Hall, located in North Perth.
Federation Bungalow
Photo credit: mount_lawley_society
Quite interestingly, Perthites decided to move away from the opulent designs found in Victorian-style and Italianate style in favour of simpler and modern building styles at the turn of the 20th century.
Starting from 1890 until the beginning of the First World War, the most prominent building style one would find in Perth was the Federation Bungalow.
Its name was a reference to the Federation of Australia in 1901, a time when the various British colonies on the Australian continent unified together to become a single state, the Commonwealth of Australia.
As its name suggests, the Federation Bungalow building style heavily incorporates the characteristics commonly found among bungalows, particularly the bungalows found in California.
These single-storey buildings always sit close to the ground and feature prominent designs like low-pitched roofs and verandas. Furthermore, they are also typically made with materials common in the area, like Western Australian jarrah.
However, the thing that makes the Federation Bungalow unique from its cousins in the Golden State is its incorporation of designs featured in the Queen Anne style and Edwardian style of the United Kingdom.
That’s why many bungalows in Perth tend to include features like asymmetric gables, white-painted window frames, and deep-red bricks.
Built during an era when Perth was transitioning from a mining town into a full-fledged city, it’s no wonder why there are still plenty of Federation bungalows standing in Perth today.
You can see these amazing homes in the suburbs of Mount Lawley, Highgate, and Inglewood.
Art Deco
Photo credit: protteypaul
An amazing thing about Gothic architecture is its ability to stay relevant throughout the centuries. Just as the First World War was coming to a close, a Gothic-inspired building style called Art Deco became highly popular in Perth.
Art Deco, short for the French phrase “arts décoratifs” (meaning decorative arts), was first seen in Paris before the Great War.
A mix of modernist and Gothic architecture, this building design became popular at a time when economies around the world were reaching record heights. That’s why Art Deco architecture exudes an air of elegance that anyone can’t miss.
A couple of the most prominent features one will find in an Art Deco building are its straight lines, geometric shapes, and curved corners. These buildings also tend to feature designs that are inspired by Cubism and the Vienna Secession.
In Perth alone, there are a lot of Art Deco buildings built during the Roaring 20s. Some of the most iconic ones you can visit are the Atlas Building in The Esplanade, the Astor Theatre in Mount Lawley, and the Regal Theatre in Subiaco.
Sadly, the Great Depression led to a sudden economic downturn that affected almost all countries worldwide, including Australia. During this period, Art Deco gradually became more subdued and less relevant as construction slowed down.
Shortly after the end of the Second World War, this unique building style faded into obscurity and was quickly replaced by the next building style on our list.
Modernist Home
Photo credit: concrete_swan
As the world moved away from the scars brought by the Second World War, many architects began to think of a new building style that would become a defining feature of the upcoming era.
It became known as modernist architecture, a building style that’s best known for its simplistic and modest features. Unlike the grand designs found in Art Deco, modernist structures feature simpler ones that anyone can appreciate.
Some of the key features that make this building style easily recognisable are its flat roof lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and rectilinear shapes. Furthermore, buildings made this way tend to feature wide interiors where air can flow freely.
Amazingly, modernist architecture is the building style that’s considered to be the most popular, not only in Perth but in the country.
Experts say that’s because this building style perfectly resonates with Australian culture and climate (Homes To Love).
Other reasons that also contribute to its popularity among Australians are its highly affordable and adaptable traits. A modernist home’s ability to add new spaces seamlessly is an impressive thing, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer.
The reasons listed above are why you’ll have no difficulties finding this building style in Perth, no matter which suburb you visit.
The Modern Two-Storey Home
Photo credit: rossnorth.homes
As Perth continues to become one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia, its population density has also started to rapidly increase. According to Population Australia, the city has a population density of 317.7 people per square kilometre.
That’s why the city’s local architects have decided to evolve modernist architecture to meet the housing needs of Perth’s growing population.
See the modern two-storey home, a modernist home that features two levels to allow for the construction of more rooms on a property with a smaller space.
Aside from having a second floor, there’s not much difference between a modern two-storey home and a modern single-storey home visually and functionally.
Two-storey homes still feature the adaptable and affordable traits their predecessors had.
If you’re keen on seeing this building style yourself, you’ll find a lot of them in Perth’s dense suburbs, like Fremantle, Trigg, and Cottesloe.
Local Styles and Modern Innovations You Can Incorporate into Your Home
Now that you’re well-acquainted with the different building styles that have popped up in Perth since its inception, you might be curious about what styles and modern innovations you can use to improve your own home in the City of Light.
Here are some tips and ideas that are worth checking out.
- Open-Plan Living
A concept that was popularised by modernist architecture, open-plan living is an interior layout where there are little to no walls and doors that separate various rooms, like the kitchen and living room, from one another.
This layout is highly useful in maximising your home’s interior space and can make your interactions with your family easier.
- Blend historical styles with modern amenities
You can also try making your home more visually distinctive by designing it with features that are found in older building styles like Federation bungalows and Art Deco.
In my opinion, this is an excellent option, as not only will you be making your home more appealing and unique, but you’ll also be able to further improve the contemporary living standards it already has.
- Renewable Energy Integration
As the world slowly teeters over the point of no return when it comes to the issue of global warming, it wouldn’t hurt to invest in getting a reliable source of renewable energy for your home.
Things like solar panels and wind turbines can go a long way towards lessening your carbon footprint. You’ll save a lot of money on your electricity bill, too!
- Water Conservation Techniques
Continuing on our topic of lessening our impact on the environment, it’s also an excellent idea to install water conservation equipment in your home, like rainfall catchers and water-saving faucets.
Given Perth’s dry climate and increasing average temperature, conserving water nowadays is important as the city faces an ever-increasing risk of water scarcity.
- Use of Environmentally Sustainable Materials
If you’re planning on doing a major renovation of your home, it wouldn’t hurt to stick to using environmentally sustainable materials like recycled timber and non-volatile organic compound paints.
Not only do they lessen the carbon footprint you generate, but they’ll also allow you to enjoy cleaner air quality inside your home!
- Energy Efficient Designs
Lastly, it’s also an excellent idea to ensure your home has an energy-efficient design should you choose to remodel it. An example would be modifying its layout to allow for natural heat to enter during the winter and keep it out during the summer.
You may also further lessen the electric consumption in your home by switching to energy-efficient appliances like LED lighting and inverter air conditioners.
