The Style
Ranch homes are a style of domestic architecture that originated in the 1920s in the United States. The style is characterized by its long and single-story profile. Providing the perfect layout for an open concept home and casual and informal lifestyles. The style combined modernist features with the American Western ideals of ‘wide open spaces.’
As time passed, the ranch-style continued to develop, and in the 1960s more dramatic features began appearing. Things like gradient roof lines, cathedral ceiling, and sunken living rooms began appearing in ranch-style homes.
Defining Features
- Single Story
- Open concept Floorplan
- Low-pitched roof
- Patio/deck
- Rectangular, “L” or “U” shaped
- Attached garage
- Often has a Finished Basement
- Large windows and sliding doors
A Brief History
The Ranch style home drew influence from 17th and 19th century Spanish Colonial Architecture. Which used similar single-story profiles with local materials like adobe brick covered in plaster. These styles were often used in southwestern united states on working ranches and would later influence the style of Ranch homes.
Popularity
A few decades after the style originated in the 1950s, 9 out of ten new homes were built in the ranch style. The style incorporated all the newest building materials, and was easily customizable for the individual’s needs, making it an incredibly popular option.
Across North America, the style was given local twists to fit the regional style. This is what led to things like the “Colonial Ranch” that met more of the Colonial architectural styles that were preferred in the Midwest and North-East. Other variations include the storybook ranch, and the suburban ranch as well as others.
Many people enjoyed the style for its open concept floorplan which was uncommon for the time. It made entertaining easier by opening the space between the kitchen living room and dining room.
Main Benefits of the style
- Good for Entertaining because of their open layouts
- Single story is attractive for older buyers or people with accessibility needs
- Easy to maintain because you don’t need to climb a ladder to clean windows or clear gutters.
The style evolved during its popularity from a more Western-themed with Swiss board edging and trim styles to more of a minimal and simpler design. As the Ranch style continued it began to become more and more generic.
Decline in Popularity
Soon after the Ranch style reached its peak in popularity it began to fade out of style. In the 1960s tastes began to change from Googie (futurist architecture) and modernist styles and began to redirect towards more traditional styles. Builders began to cut building costs by simplifying the style and losing all of its original charms.
The rising land costs also influenced the decline in the Ranch style. Having a large building footprint for a Ranch style home was becoming more and more unaffordable and increased the need for two-story homes.
The Recent Revival in Popularity
The revival in popularity focuses on existing ranch-style homes but occasionally ranch style homes are still built today. They often make an affordable entry-level home for new buyers and they are functional for older buyers who are attracted to the single-story as it provides easy accessibility.
Neighborhoods that were built during the prime of the Ranch style have now become well established with large trees and have owner modifications that differentiate the builds. The majority of tract homes built in the Ranch style ended in the ’70s and ’80s but a few have been built in more recent years. The Butte Court in Shafter, California has a series of tract homes built in 2007 and 8 which took on the original styling of the Ranch home. Featuring strong Western styles porches, board and batten siding, and dovecotes that were popular in the 1950s.
The revival of classic mid-century interior design can also play a part in people’s interest in the Ranch style home. Making people more open to a design that may once have been seen as outdated but is now back at the front of design preferences.
In Pop-Culture
A popular example of a Ranch style home can be seen in the hit television series Breaking Bad. Which was set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The main character, Walter White’s home was specified by the creator to be a ranch-style home and was filmed in a ranch home in Northeast Albuquerque built-in 1972.
How do you feel about Ranch homes, do you want to leave them in the ’60s or are you happy to welcome them back in style? Let us know in the comments
Studio Phillips 