The Low House and the Bell House

Isaac Bell House, Newport, RI – Completed 1883

The Low House and the Bell House, both by McKim, Mead and White. The later termed "Shingle style" both homes use wooden shingles to simplify, and unify, their wall textures, both have traditional gabled roofs, and both have some type of colonnade. Still, these two homes are incredibly unique in their forms and little motif.

William G. Low House, Bristol, RI – Completed 1887, Demolished 1962

Where the Bell House has varied roof heights, shapes and pitches, the Low House has one large unifying gable. On the Bell home the Asian-like thin bamboo pillars of the large covered porch contrast the heavy forms of the different roofs structure without a sense of instability. On the Low House the simple white bay windows and side porch supported by shingled columns provide visual variety and balance.

H.H. Richardson

H.H. Richardson's designs, especially master works such as the Trinity Church, Crane Memorial Library and even the Marshall Field Wholesale Store, with their huge yet coherent massing which lend to an understanding of the building’s function and parts diverge from their predecessors, specifically the purely rectangular massing of the classical styles.

Richardson’s Romanesque designs are often more refined details and decoration, including the large dominating Syrian arch which required less columns and capitals than classical or even Gothic styles. Aside from the decorative details Richardson's designs were often massively scaled and constructed almost entirely of stone.

For this reason this style was generally expensive and reserved for wealthy clientele, unlike the revival styles and other Victorian style which were easily transposed onto smaller scale buildings.