two-story craftsman style home with a green lawn

American Architectural Styles

This course traces the history of American architectural styles and discusses how to identify styles for historic preservation projects.

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Course Info

  • Duration 9 video lessons (71 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2021
  • Trending Trending
  • 4.51
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    Defining Style
    Chapter Duration 12 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    Classical Styles
    Chapter Duration 12 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    Early American Architecture
    Chapter Duration 4 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    19th Century Styles
    Chapter Duration 10 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    Early 20th Century Styles
    Chapter Duration 10 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    7.
    Late 20th Century Styles
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    8.
    Building Components
    Chapter Duration 10 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    9.
    Closing
    Chapter Duration 1 min

What You Will Learn

  • Learn how and why architectural styles in American developed over time.
  • Understand common architectural styles found in America.
  • How European architecture influenced American styles.
  • Be able to define some significant architectural components. 
  • The components that make a building.
  • The difference between high style and vernacular style.

Course Description

The final course of the Historic Preservation track traces the history of American architectural styles and discusses how to identify styles for historic preservation projects. The course discusses the differences between high style and vernacular architecture and review examples of both. This course also reviews ancient classical styles such as Greek, Roman, and Byzantine and how these styles influenced American architecture. By the end of this course, you will have an understanding of various architectural styles and how to identify them.

Learn these skills

  • Architecture
  • Historic Preservation
  • Housing
  • Regulations
  • Urban Design

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1.25 AICP CM.

AIA CES

This is 1.25 LU.

CNU-A

This course is approved for 1 CNU-A credit.

Meet Your Instructor

Meredith Johnson

Meredith Johnson

Meredith is the owner of Johnson Planning and Preservation LLC, a boutique firm that works to make the intersection of planning and preservation more accessible.

Meet Instructor

Join thousands of urban planners on Planetizen Courses

I appreciated the comprehensive nature of the course, all within 90 minutes. I learned not only about individual styles and the progression of style but about how building components and materials impact style and can define style.
- Douglas K.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
Excellent course! Great topic and each era of architecture was well covered.
- Michael M.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review

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