Building Identification Tool What is the Architectural Style? Select below all the applicable characteristics of your building. Once completed, click on SELECT STYLES for your results. What is the Architectural Style? Here are the style results according to your characteristics selected. If more than one choice, select the most applicable and click results. Select Characteristics To begin, select at least 3 different characteristics from the options below: Characteristic Groups Select Characteristics Roof Shapes (0) chevron Window Types (0) chevron Façade (0) chevron Cupola (0) chevron Massing (0) chevron Roof Details (0) chevron Arches (0) chevron Decorative Details (0) chevron Door / Window Details (0) chevron External Details (0) chevron Materials (0) chevron Other Details (0) chevron Jump to characteristic groups Roof Shapes Pyramidal roof a hip roof where the sloping ridges (or hips) rise to a single point, creating a pyramid-like shape Remove Add + Gable roof a roof with gables at each end Remove Add + Hip roof a roof with slopes on all sides of the building; the sloping ridge created where two slopes join together Remove Add + Gambrel roof similar to a gable roof but with two pitches on each side of the roof peak Remove Add + Shed roof a roof sloping to only one side Remove Add + Mansard roof a roof having two different slopes on all sides; the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope Remove Add + Flat roof The slope of a roof aids in emphasizing the proportions of the mass. A flat roof is almost level in contrast to sloped roofs and tends to emphasize horizontal aspects. Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Window Types Dormer a roofed projection from a sloping roof often with a window Remove Add + Ribbon window a series of windows separated by narrow mullions arranged side-by-side to form a continuous band Remove Add + Bay window a roofed window unit that projects from an exterior wall; projection could be angular or curved Remove Add + Palladian window a classical window style with a tall, often arched central opening flanked on each side by shorter windows with flat window heads; closely identified with the Italian architect, Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) Remove Add + Casement window a window type where the sash is hinged along its vertical edge and swings to the side like a door Remove Add + Double-hung window a window type with two sashes arranged vertically that opens by sliding the upper sash down or the lower sash up Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Façade Pediment in classical architecture, the triangular end of a low-pitched gable; a triangular element used over doors and windows Remove Add + Verandah a roofed porch or balcony attached to the elevation of a building Remove Add + Portico an open-sided porch with a column-supported roof Remove Add + Pavilion a part of a façade given prominence because it projects out from the façade; often having a higher or lower height and its own roof; usually located centrally or at one or both ends of a façade Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Cupola Jump to characteristic groups Massing Asymmetrical / Asymmetry a composition that is off-balance with respect to a point of reference, such as an imaginary centre-line, as it is drawn through the plan of a façade Remove Add + Symmetrical / Symmetry a compositional balance with respect to a point of reference such as an imaginary centre-line, as it is drawn through the plan or façade Remove Add + Box-like massing box-like massing is a design approach that emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, and the strategic arrangement of rectangular volumes Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Roof Details Vault a roof or ceiling structure over an area that is based on the form of an arch Remove Add + Rafters a structural roof member that slopes up from the wall to the ridge or peak of a roof and supports the roof covering Remove Add + Eaves the part of a sloping roof that overhangs a wall Remove Add + Onion dome a bulbous dome with a pointed peak on top of a cupola, tower or turret; typical of Eastern European architecture Remove Add + Thatched roof a roof composed of thick layers of reeds, straw or other plant matter attached to rafters and purlins Remove Add + Purlins horizontal structural members that run perpendicularly across the top edges of roof trusses, rafters, trusses or beams; the purlins support the roof covering Remove Add + Ridge beam a beam that supports rafters at the ridge of a roof Remove Add + Shingles wood or asphalt tiles for covering roofs and walls Remove Add + Crenellation a series of square indentations in a parapet giving a castle-like appearance Remove Add + Finial an ornament at the top of a roof gable, spire or other architectural feature Remove Add + Spire a tall, narrow, steep roof structure ending in a point, rising from a tower or roof peak Remove Add + Bargeboard a board, often decorative, covering the projecting edge of a gable roof Remove Add + Steep pitched roof a high degree of slope on a roof Remove Add + Low pitched roof a shallow or gradual sloped roof Remove Add + parapet the portion of an exterior wall that projects above the edge of a roof area Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Arches Segmental arch an arch in the shape of a segment of a circle Remove Add + Pointed arch an arch that is pointed at the top, often characteristic of Gothic architecture Remove Add + Tudor Arch the last phase of the Perpendicular Gothic style during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII (1485 to 1547); identifiable by the use of shallow arches that come to a subtle point (known as a four-centred or Tudor arch) Remove Add + Round arch a curved structure spanning across the top of an opening in a vertical surface (such as a wall) Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Decorative Details Relief a sculptural ornamental design slightly raised from or recessed from the surface Remove Add + Moulding a decorative element that defines edges, joints or surfaces through the use of a continuous profile. Remove Add + Pendant an ornamental feature that hangs down from a supporting structure or architectural feature Remove Add + Rustication stonework emphasized by recessed joints or roughly cut block faces Remove Add + Quoins stones or bricks used to decoratively emphasize the outside corners of a building Remove Add + chevron a V-shaped decoration typically used in a continuous band as a moulding Remove Add + Polychrome / Polychromy composed of more than two colours Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Door / Window Details Surround trim around a door or window opening Remove Add + Shutters hinged panels used to cover and protect window openings Remove Add + Label a moulding that runs across the top and part-way down the sides of a window or door opening Remove Add + Tracery a pattern of interlocking muntins in the upper part of a Gothic window Remove Add + Sash the framework that holds a piece of glass or several small pieces of glass Remove Add + Sidelights windows located at the sides of doors Remove Add + Transom light a window located above a door and separated by a horizontal element between the door and the light known as a transom bar Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups External Details Porch a structure projecting from a building and located in front of an entrance; usually roofed, often open-sided and occasionally supporting a balcony above Remove Add + Towers a building, either freestanding or attached as a prominent element of another building, of great height compared to its floor area; a slender, tall structure usually rising above the building to which it is attached Remove Add + Brackets an angular support for a horizontal element that projects from a wall Remove Add + Saddle-notch join a corner joint used in round log construction, consisting of semi-circular notches cut near the ends of the logs Remove Add + Dovetail join a joint in cabinetry and square log construction, consisting of interlocking 'V'-shaped cuts Remove Add + Curtain wall a non-loadbearing, prefabricated exterior cladding system usually consisting of steel or masonry spandrel panels and glazing (window) panels attached to a structural frame of steel or concrete Remove Add + Balcony a structural platform extending from the wall of a building and enclosed with a balustrade; supported from below or cantilevered from a supporting wall Remove Add + Belt course a slender, horizontal band that projects from an exterior wall often at window sill or interior floor levels Remove Add + Bay a regularly repeated visual division of a façade, usually related to the building's structural system; division often indicated by pilasters, columns or piers on the façade Remove Add + Cornice a horizontal, projecting decorative moulding along the top of a wall or building, or the top portion of an entablature Remove Add + Column an upright post, usually a tapered cylinder, used for support or decoration; in classical architecture a column consists of a base, shaft and capital Remove Add + Half-timbering a method of construction where the spaces in a timber-frame wall are filled with rubble or brickwork; or where the appearance of this construction is achieved by applied surface decoration Remove Add + Turret a small, slender tower characteristically projecting from the corner of a building Remove Add + Spindle lathe-turned wood elements, often used as balusters and porch decoration Remove Add + Post a vertical support member, similar to a column; wood posts can be turned on a lathe to create an ornamental silhouette Remove Add + Corbel table a projecting line of masonry or belt courses supported by corbels Remove Add + Corbel a masonry unit or series of masonry units that progressively step out from a supporting wall or column; creates a shelf or bracket to support overhanging masonry walls or corbel tables, the bases of arches, ornamental elements, etc. Remove Add + Buttress a vertical structural member resembling a massive post built against an exterior wall; designed to absorb outward-pushing (lateral) forces of a roof Remove Add + Pinnacle a small vertical ornament with a spire-like pyramidal or conical shape, usually used to crown buttresses or the corners of parapets and towers Remove Add + Capital the decorative feature at the top of a column or pilaster Remove Add + Pier a massive vertical support of masonry, placed under columns, arches or walls to support a concentration of loads Remove Add + Pilaster a shallow pier or post, often decorative, projecting slightly from the surface of a wall; resembles a square post attached to a wall Remove Add + Spandrel panels with windows above and below, spanning between vertical support posts or mullions Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Materials Whitewash a thick, paint-like material using lime that was brushed onto log structures to provide a white finish to the walls Remove Add + stucco a heavy coating of a cement, lime, sand and water mixture applied to a wall surface as its exterior finish Remove Add + Terra cotta fired clay cast in moulds, often used for decorative elements or to clad a building exterior Remove Add + Glass blocks Also known as glass bricks, are architectural elements made from thick, translucent or transparent glass. Particularly popular in Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, they're employed for their aesthetic and functional qualities, bringing a blend of light, privacy, and decorative appeal. Remove Add + aluminium a metallic material that has lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong properties making it a favoured choice for various building applications. From structural components to architectural details, aluminum contributes to construction by offering both functional and aesthetic benefits. Remove Add + Stainless steel trim a versatile and enduring material that architects and designers use to enhance the aesthetics, functionality, and longevity of buildings Remove Add + Brick made from clay that is molded, dried, and fired in a kiln, resulting in a sturdy, durable, and visually appealing material. It's used in walls, facades, arches, pavements, and more, both for functional and aesthetic purposes. Remove Add + Steel a metallic material with versatility, strength, and adaptable properties that significantly impacted design and construction, from iconic skyscrapers to contemporary residential homes Remove Add + Jump to characteristic groups Other Details Wood frame a structural system composed of lightweight, milled dimensioned lumber (i.e., 2x4 or 2x6 nominal dimensions), in which vertical members (studs) are fastened to top and bottom members (plates) with nails Remove Add + Truss a structural element assembled from a number of individual structural elements fastened together and used to span a distance Remove Add + Board and batten wide vertical wood sheathing (boards) with narrow vertical wood strips (battens) covering the joints between the boards Remove Add + Battered a vertical element such as a wall or a column that slopes in from the base; the wall or column appears to flare outwards at its base Remove Add + Picturesque in the 17th century, picturesque buildings would look as if they came from the romanticized landscape paintings of the day, such as those by Claude and Poussin; by the late 18th century picturesque buildings were a visually interesting assemblage of asynimetrically arranged forms with a variety of textures; picturesque motifs were applied in particular to cottage and Italianate and Gothic style villas Remove Add + Baluster / Balustrade balusters are upright posts that support a handrail/a balustrade is a series of balusters under a handrail (as in a porch or stair railing) Remove Add + (27) Possible Matching Building Styles and Types To continue, select at least 1 style from the options below: Resulting Building Styles and Types Art Modern Like Art Deco style, and sometimes combined wit it, Art Moderne was apart of the Modern movement and the rejection… More Information about Art Modern Remove Add + Pattern Book Houses The rush to settle the West created a vast market for pattern book buildings. Pattern books, produced by mail-order and… More Information about Pattern Book Houses Remove Add + Schools One and two-room schools were built throughout Manitoba between 1880 and 1940. Pioneer classes were held in churches or private… More Information about Schools Remove Add + Pattern Book Barns By the turn of the century the introduction of new farm machinery, innovative construction techniques and scientific planning greatly altered… More Information about Pattern Book Barns Remove Add + Grain Elevators A vital component of the distribution and storage network of the emerging agricultural economy in Manitoba were the country grain… More Information about Grain Elevators Remove Add + Boomtown Structures When the Canadian West was opened to settlement in the 1880s -- the beginning of the Boom years -- and… More Information about Boomtown Structures Remove Add + Railway Stations The Prairie Provinces were opened to settlement during the 1880s and 90s by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian… More Information about Railway Stations Remove Add + Eastern European Churches Ukrainian, Romanian and Russian immigrants to Manitoba constructed church buildings with reference to the varied architectural traditions of their homelands. More Information about Eastern European Churches Remove Add + Ukrainian Houses Like other immigrant groups who settled the rural areas of Manitoba, Ukrainian pioneers arriving in the last years of the… More Information about Ukrainian Houses Remove Add + Mennonite Housebarns During the 1870s almost 8.000 German-speaking Mennonites (religious refugees from Czarist Russia) settled on two large land reserves in southern… More Information about Mennonite Housebarns Remove Add + Pioneer Barns Barns built in Manitoba before 1870 were crude one-storey log or even sod structures. The major settlement groups that opened… More Information about Pioneer Barns Remove Add + Red River Frame Structure Before 1870 Red River frame was the building construction method used by most inhabitants of the Red River Settlement. The… More Information about Red River Frame Structure Remove Add + Indigenous Structures The origin of the tipi is unclear, but may date from as early as 10,000 B.C., when people first inhabited… More Information about Indigenous Structures Remove Add + International The International style was a reaction against historicist styles of the 19th and 20th centuries. It stressed a new machine… More Information about International Remove Add + Art Deco A jazz-age style of "deco-ration" first applied to jewelry and interior design, Art Deco was most popular in the 1920s… More Information about Art Deco Remove Add + Bungalow What is commonly called the Bungalow style is the combination of a building type and a design movement. Strictly a… More Information about Bungalow Remove Add + Georgian Revival Similar to other early 20th century architectural styles, the Georgian Revival attempted to restore order and a greater simplicity to… More Information about Georgian Revival Remove Add + Prairie School The Prairie School, or Style, evolved around the turn of the century in the work of Chicago architect Frank Lloyd… More Information about Prairie School Remove Add + Chicago School The Chicago School, or Style, takes its name from the Chicago architects of the 1880s and 90s who took the… More Information about Chicago School Remove Add + Late Gothic Revival The flamboyant Victorian Gothic architecture of the late 19th century gave way in the early 1900s to a smoother and… More Information about Late Gothic Revival Remove Add + Classical Revival The classical tradition re-emerged as an important force in Canadian architecture at the turn of the century as a reaction… More Information about Classical Revival Remove Add + Queen Anne Revival In narrow architectural terms this refers to a London-based revival of the ordinary red-brick building of the 17th and early… More Information about Queen Anne Revival Remove Add + Romanesque Revival Originally little more than an offshoot of the Gothic Revival, it was distinguished by the use of typically Romanesque motifs,… More Information about Romanesque Revival Remove Add + Italianate This style was loosely based on the Renaissance villas of Italy, which were characterized by an L- or T-shaped plan,… More Information about Italianate Remove Add + Second Empire Introduced to Canada and the United States from France via England, this style takes its name from the French Second… More Information about Second Empire Remove Add + Gothic Revival The Gothic Revival was one of the most enduring and influential architectural movements of the 19th century. Based upon a… More Information about Gothic Revival Remove Add + Georgian The Georgian style was developed from the simplification of classical, Italian Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It was most popular in… More Information about Georgian Remove Add + Upload a comparison photo Do you have a photo of the building you're trying to identify? Upload the photo as a reference when browsing the characteristic categories. UploadReference Photo View Reference Photo UploadReference Photo icon add building Upload Reference Photo icon add building Upload Reference Photo Remove Photo Update Photo Remove Photo Drag and drop photos 0 Selected Characteristics Selected Characteristics: None Selected x Edit characteristics Selected Styles: None Selected Reset Previous Previous Select Styles Please select at least 3 characteristics Please select at least 1 style Results Select Styles Phone Num:
