The Evolution of California’s Residential Architecture 1500s-1900 and the Societal Values Behind it

Abstract

California has gone through various changes in residential architectural styles throughout its history, specifically during 1500-1900. The question was, “how does the architecture of the period relate to the conditions of the time?” Each change in the architecture  relates back to the people with control over the land in each period. The natives had a larger focus on building houses that worked with the environment and materials they had access to. The Spanish Colonial era had a focus on aesthetics, religious imagery, and using the materials in their environment, as well as being influenced by Spanish style architecture. The late 18th century, under American control, had the most focus on aesthetics, with houses having  more intricate construction, as well as more colors and individuality between houses. Throughout each period the design of the dwellings were based around the values of society at that period, be it connection with nature and survival, religion, or aesthetic pleasure and individuality.