Another type of building, which can hardly claim the dignity of being called a style, but which nevertheless is now seen in all parts of the United States is the California Bungalow Style.
The word “bungalow” was originally applied to the low thatched roofed houses of India and the first buildings in California, to which this name was applied, were in a general way adaptations of this Indian dwelling to the requirements of American family life.
Now, however, the term “bungalow” is applied to almost any type of small dwelling of either one or two stories, and strange to say, those buildings which most closely follow the lines of the buildings from which the name was derived, are very much in the minority.
To California, nevertheless, belongs the honor of having built the first American bungalows, and if the popularity of the type is any criterion, it is a very great honor indeed.
Another development of the bungalow idea which is distinctive to California is the bungalow court.
Undoubtedly the Bungalow Court Idea spread as the bungalow has spread over the whole United States.
As a source of income, the bungalow court is one of the best of any of the schemes which have to do with rentals, and its success lies in the fact that so little ground is necessary for the building of a satisfactory court.
For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the idea I will explain, as well as illustrate, the essentials of the scheme.
Bungalow courts are usually built on lots having a frontage of not less than sixty to one hundred feet, and with a depth varying from one hundred to three hundred feet.
The usual plan is to run a drive or walk down the center of the lot and to locate the houses at intervals along the sides of the lot facing toward the center.
By this arrangement a large number of exceedingly attractive and rentable houses can be built on a comparatively small piece of ground, and the rent derived from such a scheme is usually all that the most avaricious landlord could wish.
These small houses are very often sold to individuals so that each plan is distinctly a home, although the ground space that goes with the house is sometimes very little indeed.
Small Bungalows
Small Bungalows is a compact guide to getting started on building a new Arts and Crafts home that fits today’s modern lifestyle-all under 1,800 square feet.
Author Christian Gladu shares valuable information on choosing a plot of land, following green building principles, staying true to the principles of Arts and Crafts style, plus incorporating modern necessities into this classic home style.
Also included are photographs, illustrations, and home plans to get you started, plus a comprehensive resource section that makes it easy to gather the right information.
The New Bungalow Kitchen
While there are books that describe the authentic Bungalow kitchen, there are few that show readers how to update a Bungalow to handle today’s lifestyle needs and personal preferences. Happily, manufacturers today understand the demand, and there are many material and appliance options for homeowners–and the designers they hire–to bring contemporary convenience and beauty to an updated or new Bungalow kitchen. The New Bungalow Kitchen not only provides wonderful historical nuggets about Bungalow kitchens, it offers a plethora of ideas about how to create a tastefully restored or remodeled kitchen, or build new within the style.
