Federation architecture

Federation freestyle mansion in South Yarra, Victoria

Federation architecture refers to the architectural style in Australia, predominantly in the Federation period c. 1890 - c. 1915. The period refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia.

Federation architecture is derivative of other architecture of the time, such as Edwardian, named after King Edward (1901 - 1910) at the time.

The Federation house differed from the Edwardian in the use of Australian motifs, like Kangaroos, Emus, Waratahs the Rising Sun (of Federation). The names all indicated very similar styles with minute features separating them. Cream painted decorative timber features, tall chimneys and fretwork. Federation depicted a Tudor type look, especially on gables, and Edwardian gave a simpler cottage look.

See also

• Australian residential architectural styles