What Style is My House?

WHAT STYLE IS MY HOUSE?

Colonial? Queen Anne? Craftsman? Mid-Century Modern? What distinguishes one house style from another? Our homes are much more than a roof over our heads! Are you curious to learn the historical context of the house you live in, or to be more conversant about the domestic architecture you pass each day? Our instructor, Tom Wollan, AIA, FRK Architects + Engineers, will take you on a journey of Iowa home styles from 1880 to the present. We’ll talk about the visual clues – architectural elements, materials and details – that will help you identify the style and period of your house and those of homes in your neighborhood and community. The class will run on Zoom from 7 – 8 PM for TWO consecutive Tuesdays: July 14 and 21, $30.  Sign up on Eventbrite. You will receive your personal link once you sign up. 

Class 1: A survey of architectural styles you’ll find in Iowa; the history of the single-family home and major trends in residential construction. Instructor Tom Wollan, AIA, holds a Master of Architecture degree from Iowa State University and is a project architect and principal with FRK. He serves on the Board of the Iowa Architectural Foundation and is Co-Chair of Architecture in the Community Committee, leading architectural walking tours of downtown Des Moines for both children and adults.

Class 2: You will have the opportunity to share photos and research on your home with other architectural enthusiasts in the class. A summary by Paula Mohr, PhD, Architectural Historian for the State Historic Preservation Office, about the National Register nomination process, grants and other resources that are available for homeowners. Paula has held preservation and curatorial positions at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the White House, the National Park Service and the U.S. Treasury. She has led many IAF tours.

Questions? Contact Claudia Cackler, Executive Director IAF, director@iowaarchfoundation.org.