From the mid-19th century onwards, Australian residential architecture began to emerge in different styles due to different influences from the European and American continents.

From the California bungalow, which represented Hollywood culture, to the minimalist architecture of the post-World War II era, the different styles reflect the economy, culture and lifestyle of different periods.

Here’s a look at six different styles of architecture that are still abundant in Australia.

Victorian style

The architectural style that emerged during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1840 to 1901 is now mainly preserved in historic areas of the city, such as Paddington in Sydney and Carlton in Melbourne.

Victorian style homes appeal to the modern homebuyer with their long history, great location and ornate features.

Early Victorian (1804-1860)

Early Victorian homes were simple and formal. A basic balcony with minimal decoration. Houses were brick with pitched roofs made of corrugated iron, tile or slate. A typical workers’ cottage is of this architectural style.

Mid-Victorian (1861-1875)

The mid-period houses were characterized by richer decoration while maintaining the original structure. For example, balconies had cast iron lace and decorative brick walls. Interior features include polished wood floors, stained glass windows and ceilings.

Late Victorian (1876-1901)

Late Victorian architecture resembles earlier forms, but has a grander, more ornate appearance that incorporates the Italianate style. Italianate style walls, arches, stained glass and ornaments can be seen throughout the decor. The multi-colored brick walls and tile patterns have bolder color contrasts compared to earlier periods.

Edwardian Style

Edwardian style architecture is also known as Federation, as it was mainly popular during the Commonwealth of Australia after independence in 1901.

During this period, people began to build in a big way, abandoning the ornate Victorian style of “Cast iron eaves and lace” and using wood for exterior decoration. The style was a blend of European and American fashions of the time, and took into account the geography and weather conditions of Australia itself.

The most distinctive features are the predominantly brick and clapboard houses, often with gabled or triangular roofs, wood carvings, and overall light colors. Also similar to Victorian style houses, most of them are located close to the CBD.

California bungalow

The California bungalow became popular in Australia in the 1920s, as the spread of American culture shifted Australian architecture from British to American.

This style is mostly single-story detached houses with street frontage. The most distinctive feature is the front door with a prominent porch and columns for support and decoration. The roofs are triangular in shape and made of stacked brick or tile.

The style of bungalows varies from region to region in Australia because of regional differences in materials. For example, Melbourne is mostly built with red brick, Sydney will use black brick, some South Australian bungalows use limestone, while Queensland bungalows are mostly made of timber.

These styles of homes are mostly found in the suburbs 10-20km from the CBD and still appeal to families today who want large spaces and garages behind their homes.

Inter War

Most common during the war period of 1918-1938 were single-story detached homes with austere designs that reflected the economy of the time and the trend toward gradual modernism.

During this period, the front porch replaced the balcony and only a small amount of decoration was found at the entrance. Although the homes of this period were more functional, it is not difficult to see the obvious influences of the Spanish Mission, Georgian Revival, and Art Deco styles.

Post War Period

After World War II, the impact of the war was very clearly reflected in the architectural style. With the increase of baby boomers and immigrants after the war, the demand for housing also increased greatly. People pursued large floor areas, and the artistry of the house was reduced. The design was usually simple and economical, and the building materials were mainly low-priced, mass-produced cut brick and tile and cement.

These single-brick, multi-faceted brick houses are located in suburban areas or large farms 20 km away from the CBD, and are favored by buyers for their large size and flexibility of renovation.

Mid-century Modern

During the 1950s and 1960s, there was a shift towards modern architecture, particularly with the emergence of open plan living and the integration of exterior landscaping.

These buildings were built with more sophisticated materials, and the connection between the garden and the interior was often made by floor-to-ceiling windows or glass doors, with the interior being open and the outdoor gardens providing for daily relaxation. The decoration is not overly ornate and extravagant, but more modern and simple, with an emphasis on design and practicality.

Mid-century design has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and many people are now committed to pursuing this style. These houses are often located on the outskirts of the city in Central.

Overall, Australia has a great diversity of architectural styles. Many houses from the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries can still be seen on a stroll through Australia’s streets today. Most of them are classified as cultural heritage and cannot be knocked down and rebuilt. Thanks to this, although we live in modern times, we can often travel back in time and enjoy the beautiful architecture of a century or two ago.