What makes a Bungalow House?
How does Bungalow makes it unique & classic compared to other types of houses? Get to know more on this article.
Bungalow defined
A bungalow is a small house or cottage that is either single-storey or has a second storey built into a sloping roof (usually with dormer windows), and may be surrounded by wide verandas. Bungalows are generally small in terms of square footage, but it is not uncommon to see very large bungalows.
Bungalows are very convenient for the homeowner in that all living areas are on a single-story and there are no stairs between living areas. A common features of a bungalow are dormer window and a large veranda.
Characteristics of Bungalow
General characteristic of a bungalow is small in size that makes it easy to maintain and also makes it a great homes for elderly people or people with disabilities. Other characteristics of bungalow includes balanced and well-proportioned exterior, a low & exposed roof, sometimes with beams or rafters are exposed, a humble yet eye-catching front porch or veranda, a squared columns or sometimes called "bungalow columns", simple decorative accents, it's main door is usually opens to the main living area.
Bungalow houses are typically made to accommodate a single family and tend to be laid out practically. The interior space are usually maximized by placing shelves into the walls.
Brief History of Bungalow
Bungalows first appeared in Bengal, India in the mid-nineteenth century. The term originated in India, deriving from the Gujarati ‘baṅgalo’, which in turn derives from Hindi ‘baṅglā’, meaning "Bengali" and used elliptically for a "house in the Bengal style". At the time, India was under British rule, and ambassadors to the area wanted to construct economical housing that could be built quickly that they could use during their stays. They were not intended to be full-time family homes. This style then became popular in England (and later the U.S.) as an affordable design option for the working class. Their popularity grew as mail-order design kits became wildly available.
Types of Bungalow
"American Craftsman Bungalows” often feature low-pitched roof lines on a gabled or hipped roof, deeply overhanging eaves, exposed rafters or decorative brackets under the eaves,a front porch or veranda beneath an extension of the main roof, street-facing gables, shingled roofs, dark stained wood elements as a central focus, and wide eaves. They are traditionally painted with colors that match nature such as dark browns and evergreen.
“California bungalows” is an alternative name for the American Craftsman style of residential architecture, when it was applied to small-to-medium sized homes rather than the large "ultimate bungalow" houses of designers like Greene and Greene. California bungalows became popular in suburban neighborhoods across the United States, and to varying extents elsewhere, from around 1910 to 1939. It is similar to the craftsman style but use stucco and redwood in their construction as well as shingles and siding.
“Modern bungalows” incorporate the traditional elements of a bungalow and add in a more airy feel with modern elements like glass, brick, and concrete. There is often a sense of movement with these homes.
“Prairie style bungalows” are attributed to the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School architects. The focus of these homes is generally the large, wide porch that is supported by wide piers and shelters a row of casement windows. Contrasting trim gives these designs plenty of curb appeal.
Thank you for reading this post and hopefully you got a broader view of the bungalow type house.