By Billy James

Victorian Architecture

Introduction 1

Railway Architecture

Municipal Buildings

Trade and Commerce

Asylums

Leisure and Pleasure

Churches

Introduction 2

IntroductionVictorian Architecture

is so called after Queen Victoria, who reigned during that period. It is common to call the style of architecture after the king or queen of that period, e.g. Georgian architecture and Edwardian architecture.

Introduction 2During the Victorian period there were many inventions, the steam train probably being the most important. It let people travel to different places and they came back with new ideas, especially architectural ones. People also wanted to see different styles from history: Classical, Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque, Elizabethan, Italian, and even Japanese.

Railway ArchitectureAs the railways expanded, so

did the number of stations. Here is an example:the Great Hall, Euston

Station, which was designed by Philip Hardwick between 1833-1839. The architecture was based on Greek temples, but was demolished in 1962. This is now considered an act of vandalism.

Municipal BuildingsDuring the Industrial Revolution

many people moved from the countryside to the city and so the cities grew and wanted to show their importance and wealth.

This is Manchester town hall. Alfred Waterhouse was the architect (1866-1877). He used the Neo-Gothic style, which makes it look like a cathedral.

Trade and CommerceThe British Empire was very good

at trading which then meant excellent profits so many commercial buildings were built, they were bigger than town halls! They were like temples of commerce. This is one of them:

the County Arcade, Leeds.The Architect was called Frank Matcham; he was known for designing theatres.

AsylumsThere were many new hospitals

built in Victorian times, also for the mentally ill. This is High Royds Mental Hospital, in Ilkley. The he architect was called Mr. Edwards. He designed the hospital between 1887-1889.

The clock tower made sure that everyone was punctual. The style is simple, functional and practical, e.g. small windows in case of breakage.

ChurchesThere was a great

revival in religion during the Victorian period; many churches were built and many restored. The most famous Victorian church architect was called A.W.N. Pugin. He designed St. Giles, in Cheadle (1840-1846), a good example of the Gothic revival.

Leisure and Pleasure

In the Victorian period there were more leisure opportunities than ever before: libraries, museums, art galleries, parks, theatres; trains took people to beach resorts like Southend and Blackpool. The Blackpool tower was a big attraction. It was 518 feet high and contained 2,500 tons of steel and over 5 million bricks. It was designed so that if it fell, it would fall into the sea. (click here for a picture)

Here are a few questions to see what you have learned…

Which station was demolished in 1962?Who designed the town

hall in Manchester?What did Britain achieve by trading?What was the clock tower used for in High Royds Asylum? How tall is Blackpool Tower?

Thank you for

listening!