If you have been paying attention to architectural trends after, you know that bungalows are back to a large extent. With that in mind, we found it the perfect addition to our what classifies a home style series. Read on to find out what makes this architectural style so unique and why the single-story house has occupied a special place in our hearts for so many years.
History of the bungalow home
The word “bungalow” is derived from The Hindu word” Bangala”, which means” belonging to Bengal”.”Single-story houses were first built in Bengal, India, in the mid-nineteenth century. At the time, India was under British administration and the ambassadors who visited there tried to design an informal and easy-to-build rest home to use during their visits. Soon after, the style became popular in England and was eventually brought to America. The architect brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene are recognized as the most influential early practitioners of this style in the United States. Together they designed bungalows in Pasadena, California. Their creations have been well received and have been highlighted throughout the country by popular magazines such as House Beautiful and Good Housekeeping. Soon model books with bungalow models and complete mail-order house kits became widely available, allowing the bungalow style to quickly spread across the country.
Type of single-story houses
Believe it or not, not all bungalows are created equal. The ground floor house comes in many variations throughout the country. We have listed some of the most popular styles below. Read them to get an idea of the different types of bungalows that exist in the contemporary design landscape.
Artisan bungalow
The term “craft bungalow” is used to describe classic bungalows, regardless of where they are located. Traditionally, these houses have facades overlooking the street with shingle roofs. In addition, they are often painted brown or dark green or painted to blend in with nature. Finally, they are best known for their wide overhanging eaves
Bungalows in California
Since the Californian bungalow is very similar to the Craftsman, both can be distinguished by the materials used in their construction.
The exterior of the Californian single-story houses usually uses stucco molding, wood-especially Sequoia-shingles, and horizontal cladding, but not brick. However, other subtypes of bungalows use brick.
Modern
Modern styles have curved corners to give a sense of movement. In addition, they can have portholes or partitions. They are usually made of materials such as concrete, glass, and brick. Meanwhile, the interiors are usually light and airy with modern touches.
The Tudor Renaissance
The Tudor Revival style bungalows have steeply sloping roofs with large elaborate fireplaces. In addition, they have siding, high and narrow windows, and decorative trusses.
Prairie Style
The Prairie-style bungalows were developed by a particularly creative group of Chicago architects known as the Prairie School. Frank Lloyd Wright was one of them. These houses have massive pillars, used to support their porch roofs, as well as rows of casement windows, wide and flat fireplaces, and contrasting wall materials and trim.
Features of a single-story house
Even though there are many types of bungalows, the style still has a defined set of characteristics that bind them all together. To this end, we have taken the liberty of listing some of these characteristics of the single-story house below:
External
- Balanced and well proportioned, but not symmetrical, looks from the front
- A low, exposed roof, often with beams or rafters.
- A modest porch or porch
- Square and tapered columns, sometimes “bungalow columns”
Interior
- Usually 1.5 stories
- The front door opens to the main living space
- An open floor plan that lacks a formal living room or living room
- Simple decorative accents
- Many built-in elements as a means of decoration
