Welcome to... Companion PowerPoint Presentation for the Introduction to Housing textbook Vernacular (Folk) Houses Built for shelter with little concern for popular styles Traditional—based on a local model & uses local materials & construction techniques • Modern Vernacular—more typical of vernacular architecture today uses readily available materials, not necessarily of local origins uses traditional construction techniques is based on a variety of models Early colonization: Adapted European concepts Centered around a large fireplace (heat, light & food preparation) Stone, but wood better choice in America Simple, small & built by family members Hall and Parlor Cottage • Fireplace • Steep roof • Gabled roof with the sloped sides parallel to the front door (side as opposed to front gable) • Hall was the public & work area while the parlor was used for sleeping Cape Cod • Most popular in the 18th century; major revival in mid-20th century • Story and a half with side gable & centered front door • Dormers facing the front & symmetrically placed windows Georgian Style • Hired builders—more attention to aesthetics • Divided interior spaces • Primary style until early 19th century • Inspired by classic Greek & Roman design • Windows were large with numerous panes • Entry door capped by decorative crown Greek Revival Style • In the early 19th century the ideal home was a single family detached homestead surrounded by a garden • Importance of the home in the new democracy— search for identity • Attracted to the birthplace of democracy— Greece • Popular up to Civil War • Lower slope & front gable • Porches with columns; half-round windows Gothic Revival Style • Competition between styles in the 1840s due to plan books • More picturesque—muted colors instead of white • Irregular shape • More decorative • Steeply pitched roof with decorative barge boards on the gable ends Mid-19th century innovations • Commercial saw mills—stud frame construction (2” x 4”) & machine made nails—could have more angles: light frame construction • Cast iron stove that could be located out of view; less impact on design • Central heating • Railroads providing shipment of lumber & millwork (architectural trim & decorative elements) Victorian Era Home Styles • Modern suburban homes • House should have an organic form & be set in a suburban setting with trees & gardens (middle class) • Promoted by plan books & land developers—time of self-improvement & progress • Complex exterior forms and roof lines to add aesthetic interest • • • • • Multiple gables, towers & bay windows Wide porches Variety of siding types Elaborately detailed millwork Interiors were also heavily ornamented with elaborate woodwork & multiple special purpose spaces • Hand work Craftsman or Bungalow Style • Early 20th century—reaction to excess • Home economics & smaller families • Smaller & simpler homes—one or one and a half story set on high basement • Low pitched roof with wide eaves • Porches under main roof supported by columns • Natural materials & colors Prairie Style • • • • • Credited to Frank Lloyd Wright Usually 2 stories Low pitched hipped roof wide overhangs Horizontal focus Many variations Tudor Style • Eclectic styles of the 1920s • English-trained architects • Development of brick veneer & stucco construction techniques • Variety of steeply pitched roofs • Tall windows • Prominent chimney Post WW 2 • Pent up housing demand • Development of large subdivisions • Smaller homes on larger lots—allowed long side of house to face street with space for a car along side the house Ranch Style • • • • Prevalent style today, with many variations Inspired by western ranch homes Started as one level & attached garage Set lower to the ground with little if any exposed basement • Sprawling in form • Side facing gables with low slopes & wide eaves Today • No single style has replaced the ranch • Many variations— split level, raised ranch & two story ranch • Older styles also selectively incorporated into housing Focus now: Construction & detail Alternate building techniques Green materials Energy efficiency Thread—importance of housing to families & American society over time