Architecture
Our five primary styles are Colonial Revival, Victorian, Craftsman, Spanish Colonial and Florida Vernacular. These were all popular in Florida during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The variety gives residents plenty of choices to satisfy personal tastes and practical needs. The mixture of distinctive styles adds interest and a sense of permanence to every street. Garages are located behind the homes, serviced by rear alleys or driveways, contributing to the community’s aesthetic and pedestrian-friendly nature. And Oakland Park requires all of the homes within the community to be built to FGBC green certification standards, ensuring that the community is earth friendly, affordable to operate, and pleasant to live in.
Colonial Revival
During the earliest part of the twentieth century, much like today, there was a resurgence of the values and traditions of Colonial Architecture (Georgian, Federal, Adam, etc). Central Florida has many fine examples of these architectural styles and Colonial Revival is one of the most predominant styles in the area. Elements such as entry, cornice, and windows are adapted from Georgian and other earlier period styles to embellish these modest yet elegant homes. The strong presence of the Colonial Revival home is defined by the home’s main body symmetrical facade, a well detailed entry portico or full facade porch, and side wings that buttress the main body of the home. Typical for an Oakland Park Colonial Revival will be a street-facing gable end with a front porch, extending across the front facade. Other versions include a side-gable main body with an entry portico or one or two-story front porch, or an asymmetrical form where a porch terminates into a street-facing gable end protruding from the main body.
Craftsman
The Craftsman style’s finish framing, unique massing, and colorful palette provide our community with diversity and character. Generally, an Oakland Park Craftsman home will be a foursquare home where the main body width and depth are no more than 32 feet. The square volume of the main body may be capped with a simple hip roof, gable, or a four-sided gable. A front porch extends across the front facade. Other versions include a bungalow with a full facade front porch.
Florida Vernacular
The Florida Vernacular style is an adaptation of the National style known for its practical details and construction. This style is the best suited for our warm sub-tropical climate with its broad overhangs and deep porches allowing for shade and slight breezes. Typically, an Oakland Park Florida Vernacular will be a street-facing gable end with a front porch extending across the front faade. Other versions include a side-gable main body with a one- or two-story full façade front porch; or an asymmetrical form where a porch terminates into a street-facing gable end.
Folk Victorian
In Central Florida, the Folk Victorian style is a refinement of the Florida Vernacular style. This style utilizes the same massing and forms as Florida Vernacular with additional detail or ornamentation. Characteristic for an Oakland Park Folk Victorian will be a street-facing gable end with a front porch extending across the front façade. Other versions include a side-gable main body with a one- or two-story full façade front porch, or an asymmetrical form where a porch terminates into a street-facing gable end.
Spanish Colonial
As the popularity of the Colonial Revival style increased during the early part of the century, the Spanish Colonial style became an attractive alternative in southeast Florida. Central Florida has many examples of this robust style ranging from small bungalows to lake-front estates. In some cases, the buildings would utilize elements from Mission and more formal European (Mediterranean) styles establishing architecture unique to our area.