Foursquare
One of the most commonly found forms in Colorado residential buildings after 1900, the Foursquare is easily recognized by its square plan, two-story height and overall simplicity. The majority of these houses were built during the first three decades of the twentieth century.
The typical Foursquare is a two-story hipped roof structure with central dormer, minimal decoration, broad overhanging eaves with brackets or modillions, classical frieze with dentils, and a porch, usually full-width with a hipped roof supported by Doric or Tuscan columns or by square posts. Occasionally, a Foursquare will feature a shaped gable or will be considerably larger with more elaborate ornamentation. In each case, the basic square plan is predominant.
The Foursquare is a basic residential form adaptable to many stylistic treatments. Classical, Mission and Mediterranean elements may all be found on Foursquare residences.
Common elements:
- residential
- square plan
- front porch
- two or more stories
- unadorned exterior
- hipped roof
- shaped gable
- side bays
- Doric or Tuscan columns
- brackets
- square porch posts
- dentils
- classical frieze
- modillions
- roof overhang