Architecture XVIII - XIX C

Eighteenth-century building is characterized by its great refinement. During this century there existed an accepted standard of good taste. This was possible because one philosophy was believed, a philosophy of materialism and reason.

Eighteenth-century builders laid out their terraces in simple straight streets, fine big squares with gardens in the middle, in crescents and in circuses.

The terrace was invented as a means of preserving the dignity suitable to the wealth of the occupant together with economy in space. It was specially built for the nobility and the very wealthy.

Four architects, the two Woods and the two Dances, both fathers and sons, were responsible for developing large areas of Bath and Dublin respectively. The brothers Adam did much to develop Georgian London.

During the Regency and the reign of George IV, upper and middle-class homes broke with the classical tradition. This resulted a new style of domestic architecture.

The Gothic Revival was one of the principal forces in shaping the face of Victorian England and this revival was dominated by Augustus Pugin.