Home Architecture: The Bungalow
Because this style of home is so strongly associated with cozy suburbs in our country, many people do not know that the bungalow actually got its start in India. Its name stems from the word "Bengali," used to refer to a building in the Bengal (a region in northeast India) fashion. The original Bengali homes were small, usually one story, with thatched roofs and wide, spacious verandas. Today these homes can be found all over the world, from India to Malaysia, and from South Africa to North America.Architectural Features
The exact design of these versatile homes can vary by culture. If you are including them in your Austin home search, you will likely notice:- The sloping roof, often with an attic underneath
- The simple and cozy floor plan
- Overhanging eaves
- A spacious front porch, usually protected by an extension of the main roof
- The attractively gabled roof
Bungalows in the US
According to many architectural historians, the first American bungalow was designed in California in the 1890s, by San Francisco architect A. Page Brown. The popularity of this style of home quickly spread across the US, largely because it met the financial needs of many American families so efficiently. The bungalows of this time could be built for as little as $900. They were also easily and quickly assembled, due to their mass production.The popularity of these homes surged again in the late 1940s, as returning soldiers and their families began looking for comfortable but affordable homes. They have been coming back into style yet again since 1990, as rising housing costs make them an attractively affordable option for many families.
