Noblesville, IN - Eave condition is an open rafter tail, often shaped, with a unique local tradition of decorative eave brackets. The basis of the pattern seems to be an extension of the internal top plate to receive/support the external barge rafter. The most organic (simple) version is simply the plate extension with non-profiled rafter tails. The more refined versions elaborate the support with creative bracket profiles and unique cap elements. Within its variation, the overall pattern is evident.

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Before our world became so “small” and interconnected, isolation and separation facilitated much pattern diversity in Architecture. In the United States, small towns, even within the same general region, often exhibit unique variety and distinct local character. It is a bit of a paradox, but it sometimes seems that distinct pattern “origination” occurred more often historically in isolated towns and villages than in the cosmopolitan large cities, as you might expect.

One possible reason for this is that people who lived in large cities were more exposed to, aware of, and susceptible to the fashions of the day, and therefore the architecture might tend to borrow more from national trends, or even international influences. Meanwhile, the small, isolated towns and villages tended to be more interdependent, resulting in more unique, extremely local pattern adaptations and development. They may have been more tightly knit and community oriented, resulting in more “pattern sharing”, borrowing, etc.

To illustrate this phenomenon, I highlight examples of eave details from two neighboring towns, both on the outskirts of Indianapolis, Indiana: Zionsville and Noblesville. These two distinct towns are about twenty miles apart from each other, and both twenty to twenty five miles North of downtown Indianapolis. Being in the same region, they do indeed have common architectural patterns, generally speaking, but there are also some distinct differences between the two towns.

Zionsville exhibits more of a “formal” classical tradition, with enclosed eaves and classically proper eave returns. Noblesville’s prevalent eave condition is an open rafter tail, often shaped, with a unique local tradition of decorative eave brackets. Some cross-pollination is evident between the two towns, but in each case it is clear that there is a prevalent eave pattern of the town. Also, though the general eave pattern is the same, there is much variety in its exact execution. In both cases you can observe the organic to refined spectrum, the stripped down vs. the ornate, while still maintaining the general pattern of the town.

While we have undoubtedly gained much in society from our increased interconnectedness and awareness, we may have also lost some of the distinctiveness that resulted from isolation and interdependence. Architectural traditions, and the processes that have guided them, are complex and intricate, and better understanding them can help them endure despite our changing world. In an age of place-less-ness, it is important to re-learn and understand what makes a place distinct and how to continue this heritage.

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Initially the architectural character in Colorado, its forms, patterns, and details, looked most similar to its sources of inspiration, and embodied the building traditions imported by the settlers.  But, through the transmission process, local adaptations occurred, patterns were calibrated and "localized", continuing the inherent learning process of tradition.  New "patterns" developed in the architecture to respond to local conditions, local climate, and local resources. 

Across Colorado, the geology varies widely, thus towns often exhibit wide variety and architectural distinctness simply through the use of their own particular brand of local stone.  Other indigenous patterns developed based on the extreme rugged cold weather climate occurring in these high mountain towns.  Stovepipes, for instance, are a common architectural feature deriving from the well-suited use of highly efficient wood burning stoves, essential to providing wintertime warmth.

One "pattern", that provides an example of local adaptation to environmental conditions is what I will call "the Stoop Gable".  In the high mountain towns of Colorado, snow and ice can be found during much of the year.  It is a climatic reality, and has had its effect on the local architecture.  Leadville, Colorado, elevation 10,430', is North America's highest incorporate city, and ice and snow are significant realities.  As such, there is evidence that patterns in the architecture have developed within their building tradition to respond to this condition.

The "Stoop Gable" is a small gable roof located immediately above an exterior entry stair, often integrated into the porch roof.  By providing a gable roof form in this location, snow and the accompanying water and ice are diverted to the sides of the stairway below.  In a typical shed roof condition, even the inclusion of gutters and snow guards does not adequately prevent the inevitable ice build-up on the stairs.  Obviously, ice on stairs quickly can become a hazard and this pattern appears to have developed in response.

In Leadville Colorado, a solution for this problem became an adopted architectural pattern in the local building tradition that can be seen fairly regularly throughout the town.  This "stoop gable", interestingly is also a somewhat common feature in Victorian architecture.  This actually prompts the question, "did this pattern possibly originate in cold weather climates, or rainy climates, as a functional solution, and then spread around as both a functional and an aesthetic feature"?  This scenario would indeed be in keeping with the "process" of tradition, of learning, sharing, and spreading useful ideas and solutions.

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Tradition is a process of handing down, or passing along important customs, practices, principles, patterns, and knowledge, to the benefit of future generations.  In this passing down, there is the implication that what is “transmitted” has important ingrained value and imbedded knowledge that is worth repeating.  Only the “best” ideas get carried forward.

It is as if, through time, trial and error, experimentation and research, certain truths and principles have been learned and refined, with each generation building on their predecessors.  This “hard earned” knowledge should be greatly revered and respected, as wisdom imparted from a collective body of experience.

There have been many influences on architectural traditions around the world: climate, environment, geology, topography, natural resources, religion, culture, war, fashion, to name a few.  All of these have contributed to a widely diverse, unique and distinctive range of architectural traditions, derived from their own unique set of influences.  Tradition has created architecture that is in fact “suited” to its place, woven so closely with nature that it belongs to that place.

This understanding of Tradition is what I argue we should continue to be “rooted” in.  By rooted, I imply a grounding, a foundation, a basis from which to refine and advance, while firmly resting on the wisdom of tradition.  The intention of this blog is to be a sounding board for ideas, observations, proposals, and insights… Rooted in Tradition.

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