Photos courtesy of the Andrew Low House.
Savannah’s grand mansions and historic homes are architectural masterpieces. With such a wide variety of influences, architects took the best from each to create something as unique as Savannah itself. The result is a beautiful combination of all different types of architectural styles around every corner. The Italianate style is one that has left a timeless impact on Georgia’s First City, and its iconic traits can easily be spotted while out on the town.
History
As the name suggests, the Italianate style hailed from Italy. Inspired by the rambling farmhouses of Northern Italy, Italianate architecture incorporates modest country features and lavish ornamentation. Italianate style is part of the Picturesque Movement of the 19th century. This Movement tackled classical and Renaissance ideals and moved back to simple, informal floor plans. Though not much of the movement reached below the Mason-Dixon line, the examples in Savannah capture the essence of Italianate with a symmetrical design and intricate decorative elements.
Characteristics
The collection of Italianate buildings here in Savannah is all comprised of the style’s distinct characteristics. From the sloping roof to the columned entry found on museums and inns all across the city. These features add a unique flair to Savannah’s already stunning architectural landscape.
Sloped Roof
One of the most infamous identifiers in Italianate style is the sloping roof. Because of the subtle and simplistic nature of the style, the roof’s pitch is gentle and barely noticeable.
Deep Eaves
Most commonly paired with the sloping roof are deep overhanging eaves. These eaves are supported by detailed brackets and cornices.
Entry Columns
Another main feature of the design is the entry columns. They may be single or double columns on each side to frame the entryway. Normally, the entryway is a raised porch that leads to a double-door entry into the building. This gives off the more grand influences incorporated into the Italianate style.
Cupola/Tower
The cupola, or square-shaped tower, is usually placed just above the roofline. Though some can be tall, most designs incorporating this element are small. The cupola is a prominent feature of Italian architecture.
Rounded Windows
The window shapes are an important feature of the Italianate style. Most examples have large rounded windows with hood moldings. These moldings usually flair out and have curving designs in them.
Where to Find Italianate Architecture in Savannah
You can find Italianate examples at a number of notable houses in the Historic District of Savannah. The Andrew Low House and Mercer Williams House are two that are available for touring during the day and are strong models of the simplistic and modest features associated with the style. Additionally, the Historic Kehoe House is one of the greatest examples of the decorative elements and is an inn available for booking.
