Architecture In The Elizabethan Era

Elizabethan Era architecture is often described as elegant, ornate, and exquisite. It was created to be a modernised version of the prominent architecture that came before it. In the beginning of this era, there was little to no design process involved in the construction of a building. Think of it like a painter free-handing a painting. No thinking involved, just his hand holding a paintbrush going along with the flow of his emotions. During the Elizabethan Era, erecting houses used basically the same concept. A man had a vision in his mind of a building and instructed a group of other men to carry out his vision and make it reality. Imagination played a key role in the construction process. These characteristics set Elizabethan architecture …show more content…
There are several defining characteristics of architecture from the Elizabethan Era. A pattern of symmetry was very common, such as buildings modeled in the shape of an E. Formal gardens could be found on the outside of houses modeled in the Elizabethan style. Large galleries were also common. These galleries were used anywhere from hanging portraits in to holding family affairs. Fireplaces and windows would be scattered along the walls of the gallery. The entrance hall was the proverbial showcase of the house. It was the way the owner of the house showed his prosperity and success to those who entered his home. The owner paid the most attention to this area of the house. Another common feature of Elizabethan Era houses is grand staircases. These staircases would be made of either wood or stone, but were sure to be extremely detailed and ornate no matter what material they were made …show more content…
The title of “architect” did not even exist yet. Houses were simply created by a single mason or carpenter. However, at the peak of the era, the way houses were build had completely changed from the way it was done in the before times. For nearly every single unique job required to successfully build a house, a new title was given to the people who did those jobs. The head of the entire project was called the surveyor, and he was nearly always a professional carpenter or mason. The comptroller was the financial manager of the project. The specialists were the master mason, the master carpenter, the master joiner, the sergeant plumber, and the master glazier. Power was handed down in this order. The architect was usually more of an intellectual thinker or philosopher. The Elizabethan Era brought a complete change to architecture in England. It not only changed the popular style that was used, but it also changed the entire construction process. This helps bring into perspective how important this era was to its own time, and even to our present time. The purpose of this paper is to tell people about a beautiful form of architecture so that it may not be forgotten. This paper aims to make people want to know more about the architecture of the Elizabethan Era and to make them want to see it with their own eyes. People need to know about this part of history. They need to know how important