The arts and crafts era (1880’s – 1920’s) takes a side step from the traditional New Zealand home. Recently I have spoken about The Modern Townhouse, The Transitional Home, The New Zealand State House, Art Deco Homes, Beautiful Bungalows and The New Zealand Villa. But both before and during the time of the Villa another style of house was built in New Zealand which is now dubbed the Arts and Crafts.
The Arts and Crafts architectural styles were being driven by British architects back in the years between the 1880’s and the 1920’s. The houses of the Arts and Crafts Movement were informal and unpretentious, sophisticated in a very subtle way and designs suggested handcraftsmanship and a “harmony with the setting”
Arts and Crafts homes were built in a time in New Zealand when there were a number of other styles emerging. Art Deco was a spring off from the Arts and Crafts home and also we saw the transitional time from the New Zealand Villa to the Bungalow.
The Arts and Crafts movement sought to reunite what had been ripped asunder in the nature of human work, having the designer work with his hands at every step of creation. These types of homes were built off ideas, they followed a trend which was followed by the British architects but there were a lot of variances depending on the person building the house.
This period of home was the first to use mass machined wood within the homes. The industrial revolution was changing the way homes were built and builders of this time were experimenting from traditional ways of building homes with at the time new and experimental ways of putting together the house. This resulted in simple, sturdy and functional furnishings. But there were still the elegant and grand designs that preceded this time as many designers were still holding onto these craftsmanship skills.
Good Points:
Usually large and grand designs in good areas of towns
Simple designs makes it easy to add own touch.
High pitched roofs allow good water runoff.
Large eaves so moisture doesn’t get into structure
Built with native timber and with larger than normal thickness of wood. usually by craftsmen
Rooms are usually large and have a high stud.
Not So Good Points:
Rooms are all built separate with no flow from one room to the next.
No thought for indoor outdoor flow.
Can be drafty and have little or no insulation.
Can be dark inside and rooms aren’t not positioned well for the sun.
It’s fair to say these homes are of a grand design. Built in a similar age of when the Villa and Bungalow were built all these homes are generally well loved by their owners and are well looked after. Maintenance can be high but the rewards for living in one of these beautiful pieces of history would be priceless.
You’re doing a good job Dion. It seems you’ve covered most types of houses. I’m curious … are you going to blog about the house of ill repute ??
Dont worry its coming, Have to do my research before speaking of the black hole of NZ housing