About the Buckland House

RAP's Headquarters, The Buckland House,  is undergoing  some much-needed repairs as part of the Buckland House Restoration Project. One of the first considerations when looking to make alterations to a historic home is to consider how appropriate these changes are to the home and how these changes may affect its historic integrity. Do the changes work with the style of the home? Do they preserve the character-defining features that make it special?

The Buckland House is a strong example of local frame vernacular construction. As mentioned in the Riverside Avondale Design Regulations, “Frame vernacular is the common wood frame construction of self-taught builders. This type of architecture is the product of the builder's experience, available resources, and responses to the local environment." 

Note: Plans featured not Buckland House

Its box-shaped exterior is modeled after what has been termed the American Foursquare (used to categorize  houses with a square plan, typically two-story, with four living spaces on each floor), with Colonial Revival Style elements. Character-defining features of the Buckland House are the broad front porch, spanning the entire façade, with Colonial Doric columns on pedestals faced with rusticated masonry blocks. The second story uncovered porch component with a wooden balustrade is a very unique feature to this home. The 1/1 sash wood windows are original to the home and are character-defining features, particularly the diamond-light window opening to the porch. Windows are double-hung, meaning the upper sash (or portion of window) can be lowered to let hot air out during summer months. Larger-sized windows are common in Southern, hotter climates. The entry door, with sidelight windows and an operating transom light is another key feature and also serves for air circulation.

LEARN MORE:
Want to learn to identify the style and character-defining features of your home?

The National Parks Service's Technical Preservation Services (TPS) Division has a fun, interactive webtool called The Walk-Through, where visitors can learn how to identify the visual character of a historic building.

NOTE: The plans pictured on the right are to illustrate a SEARS 1916 American Foursquare design, popularly sold by mail order. These are not plans for the Buckland House itself.