Editing Second Empire Architecture (section)

== Characteristics ==

The mansard roof defines Second Empire architecture, named for seventeenth-century French architect François Mansart. This double-pitched roof features a steep, nearly vertical lower slope—often curved, concave, or convex—punctuated by dormer windows, topped by a relatively flat or low-pitched upper slope. The design provides practical advantages: the steep lower section creates usable attic space with full-height walls, effectively adding an additional floor within the roof structure. Dormer windows illuminate this bonus space while contributing to the style's characteristic silhouette.<ref name="moss">{{cite book |last=Moss |first=Roger W. |title=Historic Houses of Philadelphia |year=1998 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |location=Philadelphia}}</ref>

Beyond the mansard roof, Second Empire buildings display rich classical ornament: columns, pilasters, entablatures, and sculptural decoration that draw from French Renaissance and Baroque precedents. Facades are typically symmetrical and highly articulated, with projecting and receding sections creating dynamic compositions. Materials vary from stone for major public buildings to brick and wood for residential structures, with iron cresting often crowning the mansard roofs. The overall effect suggests French elegance and urban sophistication—qualities that appealed to Americans seeking cosmopolitan alternatives to English architectural traditions.<ref name="tatum"/>