01/09/2026
Project Profile: A bit of history before we dive in: a hallmark of late-19th-century prestige, Second Empire architecture remains one of the most commanding styles we see today. Characterized by its monumental scale and French-inspired roots, it was the preferred choice for major civic institutions and luxury estates during the Victorian era.
The defining element of this style is the Mansard roof. While functional in maximizing interior square footage, its true aesthetic power lies in its profile. The frequent use of curved roof lines—notably absent in our project's original design—utilizes subtle concave sweeps to soften the building’s massive proportions, adding a layer of elegance that straight-edged designs lack. With the new goal of a curved or flared roofline, the next step was design.
