During the Regency period from 1811-1820 in Britain, there were two major architectural styles that gained popularity. The first was the Gothic Revival style, which took inspiration from medieval architecture. The second major style was Classical Revival, which featured symmetrical brick homes with stucco details and Greek columns. A key architect of the period was John Nash, who helped define Regency style and designed notable buildings like the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

1. Architecture In The Regency
Period
1811-1820

2. Architecture In The Regency
Period
1811-1820

3. The opening years of the era, following the
Napoleonic wars, were marked by reduced
levels of building materials and high taxes. This
reduced the construction of houses until the
win in Waterloo (1815) which caused a
financial boom and a spark in British self-
confidence.
History.
To start with, the regency style is named after the regency
era, the era which the Prince Regent ruled as his ill father’s
(George III) proxy, lasting from 1811 to 1830.
Introduction
George III

4. Introduction to the regency
style
The regency style is often considered an aesthetic movement which not only
refers to architecture but to other form of design too, such as home
furnishings, painting and even clothing styles.
During the regency period there were two
major forms of the regency style that gained
popularity.
The first style was often referred to as Gothic
Revival and was based on medieval
architecture.
The second form, and most popular, was
distinguished by its late-georgian and
neoclassical style, which is mentioned as
classical revival.

5. Main featured of Regency style
• Stucco or cement coating applied to exterior walls to conceal the brick
construction, which were often painted with cream or white.
• Iron balconies and ironwork in front entrances.
• Large bay windows.
• Fanlights that usually had patterns.

6. The first form: Gothic Revival
This from of style was mostly based in
medieval and gothic architecture,
however it has international influences
too, such as Indian, Chinese, Egyptian and
other.
James Watt, an architect of the era, following
the gothic tracery and other decorative
elements of the gothic period, he used
modern ways of construction and cheaper
materials in order for the houses to be built.
This style was often used for country homes
and houses in rural areas, since it was
appropriate for the environment of a rural
town considering its irregular and complex
shapes fit well into a natural landscape.

7. The second form: Classical
Revival
This style was classical in nature, but also embodies the simple symmetrical
proportions and elements of Greek and Roman architecture.
Classical revival architecture was used for official
purposes, such as educational buildings, business
buildings, however the style is associated with housing for
the upper and the middle class.
These houses were often
symmetrical brick
contractions with
decorative features with
stucco or painted plaster,
Greek columns. The key
words to describe these
houses are “refined
elegance”.

8. An important architect
One of the most important architects of the period was Josh Nash who
helped define the style of the era. He served as court architect for prince
regent. He designed many of the distinctive terraces of the era. He also
created an Indian and Chinese-inspired building called the Royal Pavilion
Brighton.
Royal Pavilion

9. Famous Regency Era Buildings
Park Crescent by Josh Nash,
London
Regency houses, now municipal
buildings in Cheltenham

10. Sources:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regency_architecture
• https://www.britainexpress.com/History/regency/regency-
architecture.htm
• https://www.mayfairoffice.co.uk/members-home/British-Architectural-
Styles/British-Architectural-Styles-Regency
• https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-styles/a8055-an-
overview-of-regency-architecture/
• https://englandspuzzle.com/the-regency-and-the-gothic-revival-
architecture/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regency_era
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Pavilion
• http://www.rth.org.uk/regency-period