The Bungalow Aesthetic: the Social Implications of a Nationwide Phenomenon Viewed from the Perspective of a Small Town

During the first two decades of the twentieth century, a new aesthetic in the domestic architecture of middle-class America emerged. A new style of house, the bungalow, was introduced soon after the turn of the century, and within a very few years, became the most popular building style among Americans who were buying moderately-priced homes. The bungalow was a low, horizontal style of house with deep overhanging eaves and large porches, usually built of natural, textured materials. Its floor plan was notable for opening interior space. The research problem addressed in this study was to determine what factors popularized the new bungalow, a departure from its late Victorian predecessors