ANATOMY OFSTREET

ANATOMY OF A MAIN A BUILDING

MAIN STREET BUILDING

developed by

Michael
Houser
State
Architectural
Historian

May 2011
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Terry Building; Port Townsend

Cornice
The projecting elements at
the top of the exterior wall.
Bracket
A support for a projection, typically
constructed of wood, press metal or
cast stone.
Upper Floor(s) Window Hood
The non-retail volume above A projecting member above a
window that is both structural and
the ground floor. decorative; typically made of stone,
metal or wood.

Sash
Operable frame filled with glass.

Sill
Horizontal member immediately
below the window assembly.
Storefront Lintel
The front exterior wall of a Structural member above a storefront
commercial space, typically that support the upper wall.
with large area of glass.

Pilaster Bulkhead Display Window Transom

An attached rectangular The area between the sidewalk and The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
column. the display windows: can be of wood, storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
tile, or metal, or can be glazed. Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Stoller Building; Camas

Window Pattern(s) Coping

Rhythm or grouping of windows (ie A, B, B, pattern)
Water resistant
covering of the top
of a wall.
Cornice
The projecting
elements at String Course
the top of the A projecting member
exterior wall. that is both structural
and decorative;
typically made of
Upper stone, metal or wood.
Floor(s)
The non-retail
volume above Sash
Operable frame filled
the ground floor. with glass.

Sill
Storefront Horizontal member
The front immediately below the
window assembly.
exterior wall of a
commercial
space, typically
Lintel
Structural member
with large area above a storefront that
of glass. support the upper
wall.

Pilaster Bulkhead Display Window Transom

An attached rectangular The area between the sidewalk and The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
column. the display windows: can be of wood, storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
tile, or metal, or can be glazed. Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Baker – Boyer National Bank Building; Walla Walla

Modillions
A series of scroll-shaped
brackets supporting the corona
Cornice of a cornice.
The projecting
elements at the
top of the exterior String Course
A projecting member that is both
wall.
structural and decorative; typically
made of stone, metal or wood.
Upper
Floor(s) Bay(s)
The non-retail Grouping of windows
volume above the (example has four bays).
ground floor.
Mullion
A vertical member separating
windows, or panels set in a series.
Storefront
The front exterior
wall of a
commercial Capitol
Top portion of a column or
space, typically
pilaster crowing the shaft
with large area of
glass.

Pilaster(s) Bulkhead Display Window Transom

An attached rectangular The area between the sidewalk and The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
column. the display windows: can be of wood, storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
tile, or metal, or can be glazed. Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
McGregor’s Store; Hooper

Parapet
A low, solid, protective wall
at the edge of a roof.

Cornice
The projecting String Course
A projecting member above a
elements at window that is both structural
the top of the and decorative; typically made
exterior wall. of stone, metal or wood.

Storefront
The front Exterior Finish
exterior wall of a Exterior surfacing material.
commercial
space, typically
with large area
of glass.

Pilaster
An attached rectangular
column.

Recessed Entry Bulkhead Display Window Transom

An entrance door which is set The area between the sidewalk and The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
back from the main façade of the display windows: can be of wood, storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
the building. tile, or metal, or can be glazed. Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Bank of Starbuck; Starbuck

Bracket
A support for a
projection, typically
shaped link and inverted
“L”.
Cornice
The projecting String Course
A projecting member above a
elements at window that is both structural
the top of the and decorative; typically mad
exterior wall. of stone, metal or wood.

Storefront Sash
Operable frame filled
The front with glass.
exterior wall of a
commercial Sill
Horizontal member
space, typically
immediately below
with large area the window
of glass. assembly.

Pilaster Bulkhead Display Window Transom

An attached rectangular The area between the sidewalk and The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
column. the display windows: can be of wood, storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
tile, or metal, or can be glazed. Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Pay n’ Takit Store; Spokane

Parapet
A low, solid, protective
Cornice wall used to obscure a
The projecting low-pitched roof.
elements at
the top of the
exterior wall.
Spandrel Panel
A section of wall, defined as
Storefront an ornamental panel, typically
The front between two vertical windows
exterior wall of a or arches.
commercial
space, typically
with large area
of glass.
Awning
Fabric or rigid metal
projection offering
protection from the
weather.

Bulkhead Corner Entry Display Window Transom

The area between the sidewalk and
Double entry at chamfered
the display windows: can be of wood,
corner of building.
tile, or metal, or can be glazed.
The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
J.C. Penny Store; Puyallup

Cornice
The projecting
elements at
the top of the
exterior wall. Parapet
A low, solid, protective
wall used to obscure a
Storefront low-pitched roof.
The front
exterior wall of a
commercial Awning
Structural member above a
space, typically
storefront that support the
with large area upper wall.
of glass.

Bulkhead Display Window Recessed Entry Transom

The area between the sidewalk and
the display windows: can be of wood,
tile, or metal, or can be glazed.
The main areas of clear glass on a Upper windows of a storefront;
An attached rectangular
storefront behind which goods are arranged. can be operable or fixed, clear
column.
Usually of polished plate glass. or divided.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING

Type vs. Style

• TYPE is the most basic arrangement of
the building’s layout, in the floor plan and
massing of structural components.
• The building’s STYLE is determined by the
architectural and ornamental details
applied to the basic structure.
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING

Commercial
Building Types
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – One-Part Block

Medical Lake
Hooper
Hamilton

Walla
Walla
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – One-Part Block

Anacortes

Seattle

Connell

Olympia Bellingham
Shelton
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – One-Part Block

Grandview

Thorp

Chelan
Snohomish Norland
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Two Part Block

Colfax

Bellingham Ellensburg Port Townsend

ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Two Part Block

Shelton

Olympia

Bremerton Longview
Vancouver
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – One-Part Vertical Block

Centralia

Yakima

Tacoma
Walla Walla
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – One-Part Vertical Block

Kahlotus Federal Way

Wenatchee

Yakima Seattle
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Enframed Window Wall

Vancouver

Olympia

Centralia
Richland Spokane
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Stacked Vertical Block

Walla Walla
Port Townsend

Seattle

Seattle Port Townsend

ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Two Part Vertical Block

Spokane

Spokane
Seattle Seattle
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Two Part Vertical Block

Everett Seattle

Olympia
Seattle
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Vault

Starbuck

Seattle

Toppenish Centralia Walla Walla

ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Vault
Pomeroy

Snohomish

Pullman

Walla Walla Waitsburg

ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Three Part Vertical Block

Seattle

Seattle
Seattle Port Angeles
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Three Part Vertical Block

Spokane

Seattle

Walla Walla

Seattle Vancouver
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Temple Front

Seattle
Elma
Snohomish

Colville
Vancouver
Ephrata
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Enframed Block

Everett
Spokane
Hoquiam

Longview Olympia
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Central Block with Wings

Olympia Wilbur

Seattle Shelton
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Central Block with Wings

Yakima

Seattle Renton
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Arcaded Block

Olympia
Seattle

Hood Canal Clayton

Longview
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Arcaded Block

Wenatchee
Longview Parkland

Colville Aberdeen
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Flatiron

Chehalis
Seattle

Seattle Tacoma Seattle

ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Strip Commercial

Vancouver
Lakewood

Lakewood

Shelton
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Mall

Spokane Tacoma

Richland Vancouver
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING

Building Details
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Details
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Storefronts
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Cornice
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Signage
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Doors
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Awnings
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Washington State Examples

Commercial – Exterior Material

Carrera Glass

Poured Concrete Brick

Concrete Block

Enameled Metal
Pressed Tin
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Safeway Store - Statewide

Commercial – Context

Colville
Camas

Tacoma

Yakima
Seattle
ANATOMY OF A MAIN STREET BUILDING
Seattle First National Bank - Statewide

Olympia

Seattle
Olympia

Moses
Lake

Vancouver

Toppenish Bremerton
ANATOMY OFSTREET
ANATOMY OF A MAIN A BUILDING
MAIN STREET BUILDING

developed by

Michael
Houser
State
Architectural
Historian

Michael.houser
@dahp.wa.gov
360-586-3076