Residential Architecture Styles Guide for Northern Vermont Homes

A clear, factual overview of common residential home styles found in Northern Vermont, their architectural origins, defining characteristics, and the towns where they are most commonly seen.

BoldRoot Builders works throughout Burlington, South Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Williston, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Stowe, Waterbury, Montpelier, and surrounding Northern Vermont communities. This guide is intended to help homeowners understand the architectural language commonly found in the region.

Purpose of This Guide

This guide explains major residential architectural styles present in Northern Vermont and New England. Each section outlines where the style originated, the architects or movements associated with its development, and the Vermont towns where examples are most commonly found.

Architectural styles often overlap, especially as homes are remodeled or expanded. When a style is vernacular or not tied to a single architect, that distinction is noted.

Craftsman

Origin: Late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1900–1930), United States. Developed from the Arts and Crafts movement.

Architect Commonly Credited: Gustav Stickley, through The Craftsman magazine, popularized the style nationwide.

Key Characteristics:

  • Low-pitched gable roofs

  • Exposed rafters and wide eaves

  • Covered front porches

  • Tapered columns

  • Natural materials

Common in Northern Vermont: Burlington, Winooski, Barre, Rutland

Colonial

Origin: 17th–18th century American colonies, based on European domestic architecture.

Architect Credited: Vernacular tradition; no single architect.

Key Characteristics:

  • Symmetrical façades

  • Central entry

  • Evenly spaced windows

  • Rectangular footprint

Common in Northern Vermont: Shelburne, Charlotte, Essex, Middlebury

Cape Cod

Origin: 17th century New England coastal settlements.

Architect Credited: Vernacular; evolved regionally.

Key Characteristics:

  • Steep gable roof

  • One to one-and-a-half stories

  • Minimal ornamentation

Common in Northern Vermont: Colchester, Milton, St. Albans, Fairfax

Ranch

Origin: Mid-20th century United States (1940s–1970s).

Architect Commonly Credited: Cliff May

Key Characteristics:

  • Single-story layouts

  • Long, low rooflines

  • Open interior plans

  • Attached garages

Common in Northern Vermont: Essex Junction, South Burlington, Williston

Farmhouse

Origin: 18th–19th century rural North America.

Architect Credited: Vernacular; shaped by agricultural use.

Key Characteristics:

  • Simple massing

  • Gable roofs

  • Covered porches

  • Vertical proportions

Common in Northern Vermont: Charlotte, Hinesburg, Richmond, Jericho

Victorian

Origin: Mid to late 19th century (1830–1900).

Architects Credited: Pattern-book tradition; no single architect.

Key Characteristics:

  • Complex rooflines

  • Decorative trim

  • Asymmetry

  • Bay windows

Common in Northern Vermont: Burlington, Montpelier, Barre, St. Johnsbury

Greek Revival

Origin: Early to mid-19th century (1825–1860).

Architect Commonly Credited: Benjamin Henry Latrobe

Key Characteristics:

  • Symmetrical façades

  • Pedimented gables

  • Columns or pilasters

Common in Northern Vermont: Middlebury, Vergennes, Montpelier, Windsor

Local Notes: Greek Revival homes are prominent along historic main streets and village greens.

Federal

Origin: Late 18th to early 19th century (1780–1830).

Architect Commonly Credited: Charles Bulfinch

Key Characteristics:

  • Balanced proportions

  • Fanlight windows

  • Refined decorative details

Common in Northern Vermont: Burlington, Woodstock, Bennington, Montpelier

Shingle Style

Origin: Late 19th century coastal New England.

Architects Commonly Credited: McKim, Mead & White; H. H. Richardson

Key Characteristics:

  • Continuous wood shingles

  • Asymmetrical massing

  • Minimal ornamentation

Common in Northern Vermont: Shelburne, Charlotte, Stowe, Lake Champlain shoreline areas

Local Notes: Shingle-style homes are often found in estate or lakefront settings.

Scandinavian / Nordic

Origin: Early to mid-20th century Northern Europe.

Architect Commonly Credited: Alvar Aalto

Key Characteristics:

  • Simple forms

  • Emphasis on daylight

  • Natural materials

Common in Northern Vermont: Stowe, Waterbury, Waitsfield, Richmond

Modern (Mid-Century)

Origin: Mid-20th century modernist movement.

Architects Commonly Credited: Frank Lloyd Wright,

Richard Neutra, Joseph Eichler

Key Characteristics:

  • Flat or low-slope roofs

  • Large expanses of glass

  • Open plans

Common in Northern Vermont: South Burlington, Shelburne, Burlington hillsides

Contemporary

Origin: Late 20th century to present.

Architect Credited: Evolving style; no single architect.

Key Characteristics:

  • Mixed materials

  • Varied roof forms

  • Large windows

Common in Northern Vermont: Williston, Jericho, Stowe, rural custom home sites

Cottage

Origin: Medieval Europe; adapted in North America.

Architect Credited: Vernacular tradition.

Key Characteristics:

  • Small scale

  • Steep roofs

  • Informal layouts

Common in Northern Vermont: Lake Champlain communities, village edges, seasonal properties

Using This Guide

Architectural styles provide a shared vocabulary for discussing homes in Northern Vermont. Many existing houses blend styles due to additions, renovations, and changing needs.

This guide is intended to help homeowners better understand regional context, communicate preferences clearly, and make informed decisions when planning a new build, addition, or renovation in Burlington, Northern Vermont, and surrounding communities.

Help Us Improve This Guide

We want this guide to be as accurate and useful as possible for homeowners in Northern Vermont. If you notice:

  • A home style we missed

  • Details that seem incorrect

  • Additional insights about local variations

Please let us know. Your feedback helps us keep this guide current and helpful for everyone planning a renovation, addition, or new build.

Provide feedback