Anatomy of a Main Street Building

This presentation shows a method of identifying buildings commonly found in both large and small commercial districts throughout Washington State. The identification system is based on the ways in which a façade is composed.  No matter how intricate their details, façade compositions can be reduced to a simple diagram or pattern that reveals the major divisions or elements used in the construction of the building.  When these patterns appear frequently enough, they can be labeled as types. Keep in mind that each type may encompass numerous variations in size, scale, expression, and decorative motifs.