Welcome to the Curbed series Learn Something where we discover the story behind one architectural feature common to our city.
Back when we were looking at pictures of doors we noticed plenty of Arts and Crafts front entryways, which got us talking to a few contractors about the reasons why they looked the way they do. It turns out part of the style evolved from a practical need just as much as it did an aesthetic one. The signature molding that juts out underneath the glass window, for example, was originally designed as a drip cap to prevent water from running down the length of the door. The roots of the Arts & Crafts movement started in Britain so they were probably very familiar with rainwater and the problems it causes. Eventually someone had the idea to make the piece decorative and it has stayed a part of the style ever since.
· (Some Of) The Coolest Doors We Found Around Town [CDC]
· Arts And Crafts Movement [Wikipedia]