American Architecture History & Characteristics | Famous Buildings in USA | Study.com

American architecture began under the pressures of immigration and a lack of infrastructure in a new country. Most early American architecture was built by European emigrants who were implementing new tools to build their familiar designs, which turned into Early Colonial and Georgian architecture in the United States. United States architecture moved from practicality into statement work, particularly in the 1800s, with a shift in focus to early Greek architecture as an inspiration for the high ideals of early American government.

U.S. architecture then moved into the dramatic architecture of skyscrapers. During the trend of architecture going vertical, Frank Lloyd Wright also made a name for himself by turning his attention to simple horizontal lines that engaged with the building’s exterior space. By the early 21st century, Deconstructivists sought futuristic ways in which to further engage buildings with their exterior and interior spaces.

The 1700s

Settlers of the United States brought designs from home, and their building of homes was often restricted by the material available. The following styles developed in the United States in the 1700s:

• Early Colonial: The first settlers of the United States came from all over Europe, and the early colonial styles reflected much of the European architecture made of rock and wood. The early settlers lacked the infrastructure for gathering materials, so their designs were often simpler than their European relatives.
• Georgian: Made from stone or brick, the Georgian house design imitated a popular home design in England. These homes featured symmetrical windows and side-gabled roofs.

Early colonial architecture was one of the first types of home to be built in the United States. The style came from the European immigrants who settled in the United States

The 1800s

As the United States built its government, revival architecture became popular. Architects such as Thomas Jefferson sought to imitate the high ideals of Greek architecture that would well reflect the ideals of the early American government. The following were architectural movements in the 1800s: