Federation architecture refers to the architectural style in Australia, predominantly in the Federation period c. 1890 - c. 1915. The period refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia. The Federation period is known internationally as the Edwardian period, named for the reign of King Edward VII (1901 - 1910). Since the Federation of Australia was a significant event during this period, the term 'Edwardian' is seldom used in Australia. Federation architecture has many similarities to Edwardian architecture. Many Federation buildings, both residential and non-residential, are listed on the Register of the National Estate because of their heritage values.
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Residential architecture
The Federation house was designed to embrace the outdoor lifestyles of the Australian people. Most homes have front verandas with decorative timber features, tiling on the patio floor and entry paths. The brickwork is usually a deep red or dark brown, often with a mix of the two. The roofs are typically terracotta tiles with decorative gables, motifs, timber features, tall chimneys and fretwork. Decorative leadlight windows are also common. Federation homes also have decorative internal features in the plasterwork, high ceilings and timber features. The style is more fully known as the Federation Queen Anne style. Some outstanding examples are West Maling, Penshurst Avenue, Penshurst, New South Wales; home, 388 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra, New South Wales; Ingleholme, Boomerang Street, Turramurra, New South Wales (former home of architect John Sulman and designed by him); and Caerleon, Ginahgullah Road, Bellevue Hill, New South Wales. Some Federation homes are designed in styles other than the Queen Anne, for example the Federation Filigree style. This is common in the hotter parts of Australia, especially in the north, since it is designed to create shade while allowing for the free flow of air. It is a common sight in Queensland and is sometimes known as the Brisbane style. Federation architecture also differed from other styles in the use of Australian motifs, like Kangaroos, Emus, Waratahs the Rising Sun (of Federation). Federation houses are often very picturesque and eye catching. The Appian Way is a heritage listed model housing estate featuring Federation architecture, located in the suburb of Burwood in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
 Federation Free Style mansion in South Yarra, Victoria |
 Federation shopfront in Mosman, New South Wales |
 Ingleholme, Boomerang Street, Turramurra, New South Wales |
 Federation Filigree homes, High Street, Millers Point, New South Wales |
Non-residential architecture
There are 12 styles, each style name prefaced by 'Federation': Academic Classical, Free Classical, Filligree, Anglo-Dutch, Romanesque, Gothic, Carpenter Gothic, Warehouse, Queen Anne, Free Style, Arts and Crafts, Bungalow
 Former bank building, 52 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (Federation Free Classical) |
 Mary Immaculate Church, Waverley, New South Wales (Federation Academic Classical) |
 St Mary's Church, Erskineville, New South Wales (Federation Gothic) |
 Fire Station, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (Federation Free Style, designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and on the Register of the National Estate) |
 Fremantle Markets, Fremantle, Western Australia (Federation Romanesque) |
 St Andrew's, Kissing Point Road, Turramurra, New South Wales (Federation Carpenter Gothic) |
 Corporation Building, Hay Street, Sydney (Federation Anglo-Dutch, designed by George McRae and on the Register of the National Estate) |
See also
- Australian architectural styles
- Australian residential architectural styles
- Australian non-residential architectural styles
- Gallery of Sydney Architecture
References
- Archi Centre - The Federation House
- Australian Heritage Architecture
- The Federation House - Australia's Own Style. Hugh Fraser and Ray Joyce, Lansdowne, 1993. Published in Australia ISBN 1-86302-126-4
- A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture, Apperly, Angus and Robertson Publishers, 1994 ISBN 0 207 18562 X
- The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981 ISBN 0 333 33750 6
