With massive towers and ashlar stone facades, Richardsonian Romanesque houses were built according to, or influenced by, the designs of architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the last two decades of the 19th Century. Although the style as a whole faded out in the 20th century, Richardsonian Romanesque-type details continued on in later house styles, such as the similar Queen Anne style.
Instructions
1. Head to the big cities of the northeastern United States, where you'll find the largest concentration of Richardsonian Romanesque style houses. Or, roam the older streets all across the country to identify the houses that were built in this style. Stop when you spot a big stone house that makes you think of ghost stories and princesses in turrets.
2. Look at the front of the house for Richardsonian Romanesque features. Is it at least two stories high? Does the front of the house display mostly stone and brick? Does the house look lopsided, with the right side different from the left? Is the door set deeply into the front porch in shadowy concealment?
3. Peer up at the roof. Do the gables cross, or intersect each other? Is it a hipped roof--that is, with edges that slope in on all corners and meet along a ridge? Is there decoration on the ridge of the roof? Are there small "eyebrow" dormers arching out of the slope of the roof? It's not necessary that every roof have all these features. But if some are present, it may be a Richardsonian Romanesque house.
4. Look at the tower or turret. Is there only one tower? Or, if there are two towers, is one much smaller than the other? Does the tower look massive and have a small, decorative finial on top? There is nearly always a tower or turret on a Richardsonian Romanesque style house.
5. Check out the windows. Are there plenty of small windows that are deeply recessed? Do you see rows of windows in a line, or "ribbon"? Do the windows have multiple panes and other decorations?
6. Notice the arches over the porch and the bigger windows. Are the arches made of half round wedges of bricks fanning out, or voussoirs?
7. Finally, look closely at all the decorative details. Does it seem very ornate, in keeping with the Victorian Style of which Richardsonian Romanesque houses were a part?
