COLONIAL ERA

1788 to circa 1840

Old Colonial Georgian Style Old Colonial Regency Style Old Colonial Grecian Style Old Colonial Gothic Picturesque

With the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, settlements were established to house the early settlers and the convicts.

The early settlers included British military personnel, civilians, and convicts, many of whom were skilled artisans, trades people and farmers.

Houses were simple and plain, just one room with small multi-paned windows, constructed from split logs, with a bark or thatched roof and plastered with clay and paperbark.

As the population grew, settlements established in areas with agricultural and pastoral opportunities, or where natural resources could be extracted. The construction of Colonial Era homes relied on locally sourced materials.

As better tools became available, and wealth, homes built with 2 or 4 rooms with a fireplace, around a central hallway, became popular. Verandahs were usually around three sides, and a kitchen, scullery or pantry was detached at the back.

The verandah was a prominent feature of early Australian farmhouses, usually wrapping around the entire house giving bedroom access from outside. Windows opened vertically, and glazed sash windows became more common throughout the colonial era.

From 1793, the landscape became increasingly influenced by writers, musicians, architects, and other creatives that who immigrated from England.

Architecture became influenced by European, particularly British styles, and adapting these to the Australian environment. Corrugated iron for roofing was imported, and bricks and cement began to be made locally.

OLD COLONIAL GEORGIAN STYLE

Circa 1793 - 1840

Old Colonial Georgian style was influenced by Roman architecture and was popular in England and America. homes were rectangular with symmetrical facades, and well proportioned. Verandahs were necessary to protect from the hot sun and were a lower pitched extension of the main roof.

OLD COLONIAL REGENCY STYLE

Circa 1830 – 1840

As prosperity grew, Old Colonial Regency style emerged, with elements introduced, mainly to the front door, by adding a side light on each side. Regency style influences were more elaborate than Georgian architecture.

OLD COLONIAL GRECIAN STYLE

Circa 1830 – 1840

Old Colonial Grecian style became popular in the 1830s and had major influences on the development of the Regency style. Old Colonial Grecian style was modelled on Ancient Greek architecture and featured columns, pedimented temples, and porticoes.

OLD COLONIAL GOTHIC PICTURESQUE STYLE

Circa 1834 - 1840

From the mid 1830s, self-made men favoured the Old Colonial Gothic Picturesque style for their homes. Historically, churches were built in the elaborate Gothic (for God) style. As people became wealthier, their homes became more elaborate.-