Athens, Florence, Budapest, and Rome are just a few places that are known for their iconic architecture. However, none of these compare to the renowned architectural masterpieces of the Electric City: Peterborough, Ontario! 

Mostly consisting of fairly generic buildings, our beloved town may not seem like the hot spot for architecture lovers at first glance. In spite of this, there are quite a few hidden architectural gems in Peterborough. Many of these buildings are historical ones, whose stories have constructed our city’s identity. Further examining their architectural influence can give us more insight into local history and can help us gain an extra level of appreciation for our town.

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One of these many buildings is the James Menzies house on Sherbrooke Street. This one-story brick house is built in the style of a nineteenth Century Regency Cottage. This style of architecture was generally popularized in Ontario by retired British military men, as they were often the owners of these year-round cottages. 

Regency Cottages are characterized by their simple, symmetrical front, which is a very evident feature of the James Menzies house. Other noticeable features of this architectural movement include French doors and a hip roof. The windows on this house are also an identifiable Regency cottage feature, as they are tall, thin, and round-headed. 

Another interesting detail to note is the brick-laying work on this house; it includes both common bond, and the more uncommon Flemish bond, a method of brickwork that consists of alternating between the headers (the end) and stretchers (the horizontal length) of the bricks. 

Moving towards Rubidge Street, the Grover-Nicholls House gives us a glimpse of the Greek Revival architectural style. Built in 1846, this building evokes a similar grace to that of ancient Greek temples. This architecture style is popular in both public and private domains. The most recognizable feature of the Grover-Nicholls House is its striking white pillars and pediment. These elements also serve as one of the distinguishing features of Greek Revival Architecture. Another interesting detail about these, as explained by the building’s historical plaque, is that the pillars are square rather than round. This is a common trend in North American Greek Revival buildings, simply because it was less expensive to execute. 

Other noteworthy features of this architectural style are its symmetry and intricate proportions, which are evident in this building’s composition.  

The plaque also mentions that the house’s features also contain traces of Palladian influence, a classical style named after Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. This architectural style is rooted in the mathematical principles of Greek/Roman architecture, however, it does not necessarily adhere to the exclusive use of classical features. 

Another Palladian building in Peterborough is the Engleburn House, on Engleburn Avenue. The structural aspects of this house are true to its classical style. Similarly to the Grover-Nicholls house, Engleburn’s composition is symmetrical and well-calculated. Its Classical Doric Porch also evokes a sense of elegance that is rooted in Palladian architecture’s Greek and Roman influence. 

Designed by an unknown architect, this house was built in 1853. The house’s low truncated hip roof, moulded fascia border, brick construction and octagonal chimneys also suggest formal English Palladian features. Another noteworthy architectural detail of this house is its windows, which are evenly-spaced, tall, and adorned with moulded head and side-surrounds.  

Lastly, one of the most iconic architectural works in Peterborough is the Market Hall and Clock Tower. Built in 1889, this building is a prime example of late 19th Century Commercial Architecture. 

This two-story brick building is located at the corner of Charlotte and Water Street and has served as an arcade, marketplace and was used by the Badminton Club. The clock itself uses a Boston-made mechanism and is housed in a painted exterior. The most determinative nineteenth century commercial architectural elements lie in this structure’s windows, which are embellished by the half-round transoms on top of them, and their pane sashes (the wooden lines that divide the window into multiple sections). 

Other noticeable features of this architectural current are its ornate brickwork and rectangular and square shapes.  

These historical buildings definitely cast a stark contrast onto the newer architectural works in Peterborough. For a brief example, the Trent University Student Center. Although the architecture of this building is centered around connectedness, in my opinion, the awkward layout, sharp edges and lack of color make it feel hostile and industrial. Similarly to many other modern buildings, it feels as though the design is rooted in production and productivity. 

Overall, I believe that architecture is reflective of society’s values. Historical architecture clearly depicts the value found in aesthetics, philosophy, and identity. In our current capitalist society, profit and production is valued, to the point that modern architecture is moreso a means to an end.  

In conclusion, although Peterborough has quite a few generic modern buildings, there are many historical structures whose architecture is worth appreciating, as it allows cultural and historical values to remain ingrained in our society.