Currrently our villages in salem are great fun. Nice to look at.
This is really just a suggestion on how to allow more diversity without too many mechs (also a good silver sink)
Simply put players can learn different building styles, any building with alternate building style becomes a submenu for those building styles. The build structure simply has a different skin, identical function.
For example
Build->Structures->Pilgrim Hovel
Becomes
Build->Structures->Pilgrim's Hovel->Native Hovel (Requires dried hides in place of boards)
->Colonial Hovel
Each of these is unlocked with the respective building style skill. Players gain either native or colonial for free upon character creation.
To unlock other styles a book must be purchased from boston and read it. This unlocks the "X style" skill, which can then be learned normally. Each book is single use.
I would suggest a price of 10,000 silver to unlock the opposite "faction" building skills. Other styles could be added for events and temporary sales. A money maker (shoring up that extra silver) and also a bit more variety in structural looks!