William G. Low House 1887
Charles McKim designed this prototypical house early in his career. The monolithic facade covered in cedar shingles and simple interior finishes became the standard for the American Shingle style. Completed in 1887, the house was demolished in 1962.
This building suffered the same fate as another early shingle-style building by the same architects, the estate of Cyrus McCormick in Richfield Springs, New York. The firm of McKim, Mead, and White went on to complete hundreds of classical buildings for private clients and government institutions up until the 1950s.
Significance
Built with respect to Bristol’s long tradition of using wood construction in its architecture, the William G. Low House is a key example of the Shingle-style. The house was a massive, low gable in overall form and was made of wood-frame and clad with shingles, materials which lent their name to the aesthetic.
Completed
1887
| William G. Low House | Shingle Style |
|---|---|
| Bristol, Rhode Island (Demolished 1962) | |