The ranch home is an easily recognizable structure. It is one story with a low, long roof and large, overhanging eaves. The overall plan of the property is generally simple and extremely open - there are vaulted ceilings, large windows, sliding glass doors and an attached garage. Outside, you will find a hip roof, stucco, brick or wood, and a large patio coming off the back of the u-shaped, l-shaped or rectangular house. There are few differences from ranch home to ranch home, so much so that if you drove past one today, you would immediately know it for what it was. But was this always the case; what is the history behind this simple structure?
Ranch homes began as a part of North American Spanish colonial architecture. They were seen as shelters that could easily be used to meet the needs of the people and adapt to the demands of the environment. Using local materials allowed for quick construction, and the installment of large eaves on low roofs enabled homeowners to get away from the heat of the sun, particularly in the Southwest where ranch homes first gained popularity.
Despite their early presence in America, ranch homes didn’t truly take off until the early twentieth century when architects such as Cliff May and William Wurster, both of California, began fusing the traditional style with modern thought and created the California Ranch House Style. This “new” style attracted homeowners for its flexibility - the open plans and multiple rooms allowed for arrangement (and rearrangement) in anyway you deemed necessary - livability - rooms flowed from one to the next, large windows brought in the outdoors, and garages, which had previously been in separate buildings were now attached - and unpretentious character - the homes were slim, simple and casual; there was no feeling of dominance or unnecessary formality.
By 1935, the ranch home was the home to have, becoming by the 1940s and 50s,the dominant style in the American real estate market. No longer was the ranch home a product of the southwest. It was everywhere. And while slight changes were made depending on the region and the needs of the individuals, the same simple, open plans were always a key part of the house.
However, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the ranch home’s popularity began to decline. Builders started getting sloppy with their creations, using cheap materials and taking dangerous shortcuts, and new styles, such as Googie and modernism, began to overtake the market. By the late 1970s, the ranch home was seen as simple and dull. People wanted eclectic houses, oozing with personality if not great gossip of the past. Ranch homes were a last resort, for families with no other choice financially.
It seemed that was the end of the style, but in the 1990s ranch homes experienced a revival. Old structures were remodeled and custom designed for the new owners. Today, there is a huge popularity of ranch homes, as they are seen as simple starting grounds for grand masterpieces. And that may very well be true.
About
The Author...
Dena Davis is an Austin Real Estate Agent with a focus on the local neighborhoods. The Davis Company has developed relationships with Austin Residents, Commercial Real Estate Owners and buyers through out the Round Rock and Austin Area. To learn more find her at:" target="_blank">www.daviscompany.com">" target="_blank">" title="http://www.daviscompany.com">" target="_blank">www.daviscompany.com"> Davis Company
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