Vernacular Architecture, also known as Popular Architecture, Novelty or Roadside Architecture, is the study of "ordinary" buildings. That is, buildings designed, not by architects, but by the common person. It's equivalent in the art world is Folk Art. It's meatloaf instead of pate, fish 'n' chips instead of salmon en croate.
Some Vernacular Architecture is as simple as an old-fashioned storefront. They are ordinary buildings, common and familiar, that reflect the influences of various social groups and societal forces.
Others are more novel and eye-catching, more of a novelty, usually designed by a busines owner, to attract attention and draw in customers who are passing by. Typical of these are the Roadside Attractions that used to dot the highways and byways across the country.
This is that great windmill motel located in the town of Lynden. I love this place! Lynden is located near Skagit Valley where they have those tulip festivals every Spring.
I'm not sure what pointy triangular shapes have to do with clocks, but I like the way the sign mirrors the architectural shapes and catches your attention. (Maybe it's supposed to be reminiscent of a Swiss chalet or something. Swiss? Watches? I don't know.)
Not all Novelty Architecture is old.
I love these old roadside motels from the 40's and 50's. This one is out on old 99/Aurora, north of Seattle near Lynnwood. And look at the cute play on words: (Motor)"Court of Monte Cristo".
Vernacular Architecture also refers to the architecture of the ordinary. Not designed in high-style by an architect, but designed by just some regular Joe, for an everyday purpose, using the materials available, in the style that was popular at the time. Enjoy this photo. Look at the "For Sale" signs. I'm sad.
Museum of History and Industry
Joshua Trujilo - PI
A great repository of Seattle History is MOHAI. Missing the old Doghouse Restaurant? It's gone, but the sign is at MOHAI.
The museum has collected half a dozen old neon signs, including the red Rainier "R," a Seattle Post-Intelligencer sign from an earlier location at Sixth and Pine and the sign from Warshal's sporting goods store. It also has the 26-foot-tall neon blue flame that graced the old Washington Natural Gas Co. building on Mercer Street.
When it moves to its new location at 800 Pike Street, many of these neon signs will be on display. "It's hard to think of something better than signs to tell a story and capture people's attention," said Feliks Banel, a deputy director at the museum.
The florist shop on Aurura Avenue, where this jumbo-sized elephant has been in residence for at least 50 years, is for sale as a "development site" and is threated with removal or destruction. Concerned about our fading American Landscape? Hampton Inns has launched a program designed to restore and save our vernacular architectural gems and roadside attractions. You can view the landmarks already saved by this great program (including Seattle's Hat & Boots) and nominate a threatened site. View Hampton Inns Landmark Program HERE.
Elephant Car Wash
Andy's Diner
Kettell's
Kanes Motel
Photo Kiosk in Pioneer Square
The Mecca Cafe near the Space Needle on Queen Anne Hill.
ARCHITECTURE AND VERNACULAR PHOTOGRAPHY OF BARBARA CIUREJ AND LINDSEY LOCHMAN
This photo is one of a series called Age of the Domiciles, l982-3, and shows that the hand of man on the landscape of the American southwest reveals strategies for adaptability in this hostile environment.
This is a photo of the Flintstone Village, near the Grand Canyon, AZ. Other photos in the series include Church of St. Francis, Taos, NM, "Hole in the Rock" near Moab, UT, and Cave House, UT.
These artists have documented many examples of vernacular architecture throughout the country, with an entire exhibit on indigenious stone used in commercial buildings in the midwest.
A friend of mine visiting from Canada mentioned all the neon signs in Seattle. I was surprised as I didn't think we had any more than any other American city, but she thought it was remarkable. The Museum of History and Industry occasionally offers guided tours of Seattle's neon signs. For more information, see the Seattle PI Article.
Make sure 'fringe' buildings stay part of the community
By MARILYN BROCKMAN Bassetti Architects and JACK WIGGINS RSP/EQE
Seattle is full of great old buildings, some even important enough to be city, state or national landmarks. These buildings have special architectural merit, social and political history or exquisite qualities that speak of the past.
Structures like Smith Tower, Franklin High School, the Space Needle and buildings in Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market help define Seattle to the nation and are due every ounce of respect we can afford them.
But what about fringe buildings? The ones that aren't eligible for official landmark status because of they are just not old enough or important enough as examples of design, or the ones with owners that simply lack interest in turning them into landmarks?
These "fringe" buildings have real value. They are neighborhood landmarks - the kinds of buildings that orient you to a place, a neighborhood with its own distinctive history.
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Vernacular Architecture, also known as Popular Architecture, Novelty or Roadside Architecture, is the study of "ordinary" buildings. That is, buildings designed, not by architects, but by the common person. It's equivalent in the art world is Folk Art. It's meatloaf instead of pate, fish 'n' chips instead of salmon en croate. 
I'm not sure what pointy triangular shapes have to do with clocks, but I like the way the sign mirrors the architectural shapes and catches your attention. (Maybe it's supposed to be reminiscent of a Swiss chalet or something. Swiss? Watches? I don't know.)
Vernacular Architecture also refers to the architecture of the ordinary. Not designed in high-style by an architect, but designed by just some regular Joe, for an everyday purpose, using the materials available, in the style that was popular at the time. Enjoy this photo. Look at the "For Sale" signs. I'm sad.
ARCHITECTURE AND VERNACULAR PHOTOGRAPHY OF BARBARA CIUREJ AND LINDSEY LOCHMAN
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