General Elements of Architectural DesignDeveloped for the Champaign County Early American History Museum By Zachary D. CainAHTC Summer Fellowship 2005

IntroductionIn every type of house, there are many different types of architectural design elements that are incorporated to created the finished product. The following PowerPoint slide show will examine some of these basic elements of architectural design and provide visual examples of the different styles that have been used over time. Use your Elements of Architectural Design Graphic Organizer to help you take notes on the various different design elements.

Types of RoofsHouses have various different roof-top designs that are used to be both functional and visually appealing to the eye. Here are some examples of different types of roof-top designs:

Roofing MaterialsJust as there are various different types of roof-top designs, there are also different types of materials that are used to make roofs both functional and visually appealing. Here are some examples of roofing materials:

Roofing Materials

Walls and SidingThere are many different types of exteriors that are used in the construction of houses. From logs to concrete bricks, walls and siding are not only used to keep out bad weather and insects, but also to show some aspects of architectural design. Here are some examples of materials used for walls and siding:

WindowsWindows have always been an important part of many homes. From a sources for allowing in natural light and a refreshing summer breeze to a means of expelling nasty odors and smoke from fires and stoves, windows have an important function in the architectural design of many homes. Here are some examples of various different types of windows:

DoorsDoors have long stood as the first and most noticed part of a house. For this reason, many different types of doors have been designed and used for both a functional and ascetic purpose. Here are some examples of different door designs:

PorchesWhile the main function of a home is to be a place of safety and protection, many architects have also incorporated a place where people can sit outside and enjoy nature, while still having some aspect of protection from the weather. Often we refer to these areas as porches, which come in many different architectural designs.

Other DetailsAs one can see, houses have many different types of the same basic architectural design elements such as roofs, doors, windows, walls, siding, and porches. These elements all serve the same functional purpose, but offer different visual and ascetic aspects. Here are some other architectural design details that are some times used in home designs for visual and ascetic purposes.

AssignmentNow that you have a working idea of the various different architectural design elements that are used in the construction of homes, you will use your Neighborhood Identification Worksheet of General Architectural Design Elements to locate at least two different types of architectural designs for the following elements: Roofs, Windows, Wall/Siding, Porches, Doors, and Other Details.