![]() It was not the one-story concept of the British bungalow, but it “fulfilled” the retreat/resort idea. Architectural records show that the first “bungalow” was built on Cape Cod in 1879 - a two-story home in a resort area of the country. Not too long after the British started building their bungalows, the style was adapted in the United States. Nonetheless, they were practical and perfect retreats, and like any house style, they evolved into more stylish vacation homes, as more British settlers – and affluent locals -constructed them around the country. The early bungalows in India were temporary “shelters” built just for weekend getaways and some “R&R” for British officers. ![]() Bottom: This is another bungalow in India occupied by a British family. Top: An early bungalow in India (circa 1865) with the thatched roof. These houses were modest one-story dwellings constructed close to the ground, with a thatched roof and large covered porches to protect against the hot climate. The British – who ruled India from 1858 to 1947 - were the first to build bungalows when they settled the sub-continent. The actual word – bungalow- is from the Hindi word bangala, which means belonging to Bengal. > Roofs that range from low-pitched, medium and steeply-pitched > Clapboard siding – although shingle, stone, brick or concrete are also used > Large porches with overhanging eaves, occasionally, a stoop > One-to-one-and-a-half stories, sometimes, two-story structures The earliest proponents of the bungalow have described it as “simple, practical, and easy-to-build.” Whatever style your bungalow is – California, Craftsman, Chicago, Prairie, Foursquare, Mission, Queen Anne, or Tudor – it will feature some of these defining characteristics: Bottom: Similar bungalow home but with a steeper roofline (Plan #165-1067).Ĭharacteristic Features of a Bungalow Style Home Top: Classic bungalow with a wide porch, shrubbery/flowers landscaping, and a balcony (Plan #116-1007). Whether situated on a narrow lot or a wider expanse, Americans just loved their bungalows and their open floor plans. With government aid/loans, they started building their “perfect” one-and-half-story bungalows in suburban areas, complete with wide porches, balconies, and gardens. At the height of the Industrial Revolution, when manufacturing was at a boom and cities were flourishing, young families wanted a permanent home, away from the sights, sounds, and smells of the business districts. The bungalow Style – which thrived between 19 - defined Americans’ desire for simple homes that were affordable and cozy. What started as a rest house in British India became the rage in the United States in the early 1900s. And today, for many of the same reasons, Generation X and Generation Y have begun to embrace the bungalow – creating a renewed interest in this house plan style and the neighborhoods where they are often found. It was the first symbol of suburban living – a declaration of independence from crowded apartments in urban areas and a longing to own a home and tend a garden. ![]() The Bungalow House and America: An Old Passion Reawakened ![]()
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