Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Author: Matt McKenna, Architect, BArch (Hons) DipArch MArch PGCert
ARB registration no. 083151D
Matt specialises in working with listed buildings and heritage projects. He is leading an office renovation in Clerkenwell and has recently completed several published private homes. Previously, he has worked on residential, healthcare and education projects, including achieving consent for a mixed-use scheme for a nursery and retirement village in open countryside.
Contact me: 020 3637 4236
Period Homes
Period Homes in London are typically properties that were built between the 17th and 20th centuries, reflecting the social and aesthetic values of their time. Each style features distinct materials, craftsmanship and architectural themes that contribute to a property’s historic value.
This article will explore each style’s characteristics, in addition to discussing the challenges of adapting a period home for contemporary living. At Architecture for London, we work on a range of period homes, often retrofitting and renovating these properties to make them more comfortable for contemporary life.
Architecture for London is an RIBA Chartered Practice. Discover our period home projects, or if you would like to discuss your project, please contact us.
Tudor Properties
Tudor homes are often identifiable by their age and their informal facades, many of which have settled over time and therefore appear full of character. Black and white ‘half timbered’ facades and steeply pitched, straw-thatched roofs were common. These properties often have embellished carved timber elements, such as doorways and feature natural motifs, including the Tudor rose. The Great Fire of London, however, destroyed over 13,000 Tudor houses, therefore there are very few remaining today in London.
Georgian and Regency Homes
Georgian homes are properties built between 1714 and 1830 and are often situated around garden squares, in crescents or long terraces. They are known for their symmetry both inside and out. These homes are typically between two and five-storey terraces, built from stone or brick.
The Building Act of 1774 split Georgian houses into four types: The first rate being the finest and largest homes, and the fourth rate being the most modest.
Georgian garden square at our Georgian House project in Bow, east London
While their facades are typically restrained in terms of decoration, Georgian period homes are often built with ornate railings to the front and elaborate fan lights above front doors. Their interiors features include high ceilings and sash windows. Proportions, symmetry and repetition are paramount in a Georgian house, taking inspiration from classical architecture of ancient Rome and Greece, and Renaissance buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Classical proportions and stylistic touches run throughout Georgian buildings, from the size of windows and proportions of rooms to the uniformity of a complete terrace. Prominence is usually given to the Piano Nobile, at first floor. Facades often feature arches above windows and doors.
For our Georgian House project at Bow, the property was restored to create a low-energy family home. The property was located in a conservation area and is Grade II listed. Our additions minimised both embodied energy and energy in use, whilst making the home fossil-fuel free.
High-performing glazing was specified, and lime plaster with internal wall and roof insulation was installed to improve thermal performance and airtightness. Despite these additions, original features were retained to respect the Georgian heritage.
Georgian ‘six over six’ sash window at our Georgian House project in Bow, east London
Victorian properties
Victorian properties are the most common period homes in London. These were built during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). During this period, there was an incredibly fast expansion of our towns and cities, as the British population more than doubled. Victorian properties are usually more ornate than Georgian homes. There is also more variation in brick colour and stone detailing between different properties built in this period. Red brick homes became commonplace in the late-Victorian period.
Facades often feature protruding bay windows over one or more stories. Pitched roofs with a large loft space became the norm, gradually replacing Georgian butterfly roofs. Internally, Victorian homes often have high ceilings over the principal floors (usually ground and first floor), elaborate timber staircases, and decorative cornicing. The interiors include ornate stone fireplaces, decorative tile hallways, and sometimes stained glass in front doors or windows.
Contact us now on 020 3637 4236 for a free 30-minute telephone consultation to discuss your project.
Late Victorian facade at our project at Hampstead, NW3
Our house extension in Dartmouth Park was designed to better connect an early Victorian property to its large gardens. A new dining room with full-height glazing and an oak-framed sliding door leads to a landscaped terrace. An evening room allows for uninterrupted views of the garden.
Early Victorian rear facade, with our full-width house extension in Dartmouth Park
Edwardian properties
Edwardian properties were built between 1901 and 1910, and they are typically found in the suburbs of London. This is due to the continued expansion of the city and the lack of space available in the city for new development at the time. As a result, the homes were often more spacious than Victorian homes, with hallways in particular usually being more generous. The interiors often feature elaborate decoration, stained glass, French doors and built-in cabinetry and shelving. The style was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, and this saw a revival of some Tudor architectural themes, such as mock half-timbering on gables.
Edwardian facade at our Queen’s Park house extension project
At our Queens Park project, an Edwardian property was extended to the rear and upward with a loft conversion. The entire rear elevation and roof were demolished, and the interior was stripped back to shell condition before refurbishment.
A refurbished Edwardian hallway and staircase at our Queen’s Park project.
How old is my Period Home?
To find out the age of your home, research the available historical records, Land Registry documents and local archives. If your building is listed, then check the National Heritage list.
Period Home Challenges: Maintenance and Restoration
Problems in period homes are often due to inappropriate materials used in 20th-century ‘repairs’, causing breathability issues in external walls. These properties were originally designed to be well ventilated through sash windows and chimneys. When replacement windows are installed and chimneys are blocked (without consideration for ventilation), moisture problems can occur. When refurbishing a period building, consider using breathable materials like lime plaster and natural insulation to reduce the risk of moisture build-up in external walls.
Roofs and gutters should be maintained regularly to divert rainwater away from the house. Dampness inside buildings can lead to mould growth and damage to internal surfaces or structural elements.
Georgian House: a listed building with insulation, secondary glazing and heat pumps
Sometimes, period homes are listed buildings, meaning there are strict regulations to protect the historic character of the building. Alterations require special permissions in the form of listed building consent.
Conclusion
Period homes are important cultural assets that help connect us to our architectural heritage, and therefore, preserving their unique features is important. Understanding the defining characteristics of period homes is crucial to help inform appropriate refurbishment or alteration.
Discover Architecture for London’s projects. If you would like to discuss your period home, please contact us.