Greek Revival

By Claudia Clayton
 Introduction

There are many types of housing styles across the United States today. Housing styles go all
the way back to when the Native Americans started building teepees. Housing also depended a lot on
where someone lived because of the environment and resources around them. Housing styles
influence modern architecture in America. As time and technology has advanced, so have the
housing styles. The Greek Revival home was built to represent democracy, because the Greeks created
democracy.

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History
 History

Time Period:
1825-1860

Origin
The Greek Revival style home was created to express America’s sense of independence. This style
home is influenced by Greece, who was the birth of democracy. This style home became very popular
and was the most prominent house style in the fastest growing regions.
Description
 Characteristics

➢ Stucco and/or wood (usually painted

white)
➢ Front facing low pitched gable and
hip roofs
➢ Elaborate door surrounds
Unique Characteristics

➢ Tall columns and pilasters

➢ Horizontal transom
➢ Frieze windows
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 Greek Revival Style Today

Today Greek Revival housing style is still influencing the style of homes. However,
there are some changes to the style of the house, it has become more modern.
Columns are still one of the most prominent influences of the Greek Revival
home. Frieze windows are not as popular in this style home nowadays. The Greek
revival home has evolved from a shelter that emphasizes function, to a home that
shows comfort and ornamental details.
Millford Plantation Floor Plan

This floor plan is a prime example of a Greek

Revival Home. It shows all the columns at
the front of the house. The symmetry is
created not only on the outside, but on the
inside as well.
 My Greek Revival House

For my Greek Revival house i took some of the main characteristics of the house and made it my
own. I Used white brick on my house to keep the white theme that is used on almost every greek
revival house. I added an elaborate door Frame and a triangular transom at the top of the house,
these add detail and elegance to my house. The roofing i styled my house after was a copper roof,
which was used in some greek revival homes. The column on the front of my house extend out to
create a front porch. The front porch has a wood flooring so it is accessible for seating. My house has
two floors with small frieze windows at the top of my house. Overall I created a historically
accurate Greek Revival House, but with my own style.
 Conclusion

Overall the Greek Revival Housing Style is still prominent in influencing architecture today.
There are key features, including columns are front facing gables, which are frequently used in
modern day Greek Revival architecture. However it has evolved to a more present day style of
housing. This has allowed the Greek Revival style to adapt and stay a relevant style of housing
today. This shows that our architectural history is still a large influence on housing today in
America.
 Works Cited

Dishner, Jackie. “Greek Revival Architecture.” HGTV, HGTV, 27 Apr. 2015, www.hgtv.com/design/home-styles
/greek-revival-architecture. Accessed 13 March 2018

“Greek Revival Architecture.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Mar. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_

Revival_architecture. Accessed 13 March 2018

“Historic Styles / Greek Revival 1825-1860.” Greek Revival Houses & Architecture Facts and History Guide to
Architectural Styles | Home Remodeling & Architecture in Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA),
Washington, DC, Wentworth Studio, 8 Feb. 2018, www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/greek-revival/.
Accessed 13 March 2018

Romanova, Anastasia. “Citelighter Is the Fast, Fun, and Easy Way to Do Research.” Citelighter, Citelighter,
www.citelighter.com/art-architecture/architecture/know ledgecards/greek-revival. Accessed 13 March 2018

Lewis, Evelyn L., and Carolyn S. Turner. Housing and Interior Design. Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc, 2018.

Sherwood, Ruth F. Homes & Interiors. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2007.