Ranch Style (1945 – 1980s)
One-story Ranch Style homes are so simple some critics say they have no style. Known as American Ranch, Western Ranch, or California Rambler, Ranch Style houses can be found in nearly every part of the United States.
History:
The earth-hugging Prairie Style houses pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright and the informal Bungalow styles of the early 20th century paved the way for the popular Ranch Style.
After World War II, real estate developers turned to the simple, economical Ranch Style to meet the housing needs of returning soldiers and their families. The briefly popular Lustron Homes were essentially Ranch houses made of metal. Because so many Ranch houses were built quickly according to a cookie-cutter formula, the Ranch Style later became known as ordinary and, at times, slipshod.
However, during the late 1950s and 1960s, a few real estate developers re-invented the style, giving the conventional one-story Ranch House a modernist flair. Sophisticated Eichler and Alexander Homes were imitated across the United States. setting a new standard for one-story suburban housing.
Features:
Single story
Low pitched gable roof
Deep-set eaves
Horizontal, rambling layout: Long, narrow, and low to the ground
Rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped design
Large windows: double-hung, sliding, and picture
Sliding glass doors leading out to patio
Attached garage
Simple floor plans
Emphasis on openness (few interior walls) and efficient use of space
Built from natural materials: Oak floors, wood or brick exterior
Lack decorative detailing, aside from decorative shutters
Next: Raised Ranch Style
