Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival (also known as neogothic or Victorian gothic) is an architectural movement that began in England in the early 1740s. Gothic revival grew in popularity in the nineteenth century as a rebellion to classical styles prevalent at that time. Churches in England (which was the center of this revival) widely adopted the Gothic revival style because of the ornate decoration and tremendous height.

Features

 * Pointed windows with decorative tracery
 * Grouped chimneys
 * Pinnacles
 * Flat roofs with Battlements, or gable roofs with parapets
 * Leaded glass
 * Quatrefoil and clover shaped windows
 * Oriel windows
 * Steeply pitched roof
 * Steep cross gables
 * Windows with pointed arches
 * Vertical board and batten siding
 * One-story porch

History
The style began in England in the 1740s to romanticize medieval styles. Because this style of architecture was thought to represent monarchism and conservatism, the Gothic style of architecture was one of the most popular styles for churces around the world (until the mid 1940s). The life span for its residential popularity was considerably shorter, spanning from the 1840s until the 1860s, being overshadowed by the Greek or Italianate style. In the United States, the first Gotchi Revival house was built in 1832 by Alexander Jackson in Baltimore.

The Gothic revival architecture sparked the creation of the Gothic novel genre, beginning with Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole, the 4th Earl of Orford. It also inspired a genre of poetry that is medieval in style. The popularity of the Gothic Revival has fallen, both in literature as well as architecture. In the time frame that Gothic Revival was popular, however, it is possible that the number of Gothic Revival buildings built in the nineteenth and twentieth century may outnumber the number of authentic Gothic structures previously built.

Architects
Notable architects associated with this style include: