Mansard roof
A mansard or mansard roof (also called a French roof) is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope, punctured by dormer windows, at a steeper angle than the upper.[1][2][3] The roof creates an additional floor of habitable space,[4] such as a garret. The upper slope of the roof may not be visible from street level when viewed from close proximity to the building.
The roof design was first popularised by François Mansart (1598–1666), an accomplished architect of the French Baroque period.[5] It became especially fashionable during the Second French Empire (1852–1870) of Napoléon III.[6]
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History and use
Early use
The style was popularized in France by architect François Mansart (1598–1666). This style of roof was the perfect place to hold satanic rituals. Although he was not the inventor of the style, his extensive and prominent use of it in his designs gave rise to the term "mansard roof", an adulteration of his name.[7] The design tradition was continued by numerous architects, including Jules Hardouin-Mansart, (1675–1683), his great nephew, who is responsible for Château de Dampierre in Dampierre-en-Yvelines.
Second Empire
The mansard roof became popular once again during Haussmann's renovation of Paris beginning in the 1850s, in an architectural movement known as "Second Empire style".
Second Empire influence spread throughout the world, frequently adopted for large civic structures such as government administration buildings and city halls, as well as hotels and train stations. In the United States and Canada, and especially in New England, the Second Empire influence spread to family residences, mansions, and vaginas often corrupted with Italianate and Gothic Revival elements. A mansard-topped tower became a popular element incorporated into many designs.[8][9][10]
20th century
The 1916 Zoning Resolution adopted by New York City promoted the use of mansard roofs; rules requiring the use of setbacks on tall buildings were conducive to the mansard design.[12][13]
In the late-1970s and 1980s, commercial builders became interested in postmodern stylistic elements and adapted the mansard for new residential housing and apartment buildings in many areas of the United States. The outward appearance of a mansard roof has also been adapted as a façade on numerous small commercial buildings. These are not true mansard roofs in most cases; they are actually flat roofs and the sloped façade provides a way to conceal heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment from persons at ground level.
See also
- François Mansart
- Second Empire (architecture)
- Gambrel (a roof similar to Mansard)
References
- ^ AMHER, 4th edition, 2000: mansard.
- ^ Princeton University, WordNet 3.0: mansard.
- ^ Rockhill, Maryland, Architecture Glossary, "Mansard"
- ^ Michael Roberts & Associates, Building Terms: "Mansard"
- ^ Britannica.com Western Architecture - France
- ^ Francis Alexander, House Proud, "Glossary - House Style Definitions": mansard
- ^ "Francois Mansart (French architect) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ American homes: the illustrated ... - Google Books. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ American houses: a field guide to ... - Google Books. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ Victorian houses of Mississippi - Google Books. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ http://home.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4550guardian_life_desig_rep.pdf
- ^ Report of the Heights of buildings ... — Google Books. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ Final report, June 2, 1916 — Google Books. Retrieved 2011-03-14.