Transitional Ranch Architecture
The single story Ranch style structure first descended from Spanish Colonial Architecture from the 17th -19th century. They were usually constructed with a U-shape floor plan that surrounded an interior courtyard. When first created in the 1920’s with American influence, Ranch style homes were popular in California. Two California native architects, Cliff May and Williams Wurster introduced the Spanish influence style structures to America.
They were constructed under the plan of three basic concepts: livability, flexibility, and a natural character. These homes were typically low roofed structures because in this time, the average size of Americans was smaller. Though the ceilings were low, the Ranch homes were single story and proportioned more horizontally. The open floor plans made the rooms comfortably sized for the people of that time.
The Ranch style homes became very popular thanks in large part to the post-war rise of the middle class in America including in Phoenix, AZ In the 1940’s, the American economy was thriving and things that were once luxuries became standard belongings. The homes were built with a garage automobiles were more affordable for most families. Windows were used as a decorative feature to the house and were surrounded with shutters. The L-shaped floor plan was more common in America as opposed the Spanish Colonial style. The vaulted ceilings usually exposed beams that accompanied a brick, wood, or stucco exterior.
The rise of the middle class made the California Ranch house the normal style of home for citizens. As the economy began to rise, the want for multi story homes was growing so by the 1950’s, the ranch style structure was on its way out as the build of homes in America. They were no longer built as much and the only ones remaining by the 1970’s, were 50 years old and became very rustic. With a lack of popularity in the country, they were now built with less decoration, so they were sold cheaply.
The price of land was growing significantly so the need for multi storied homes became overwhelming. In the 1990’s, they began to make a rise in America living once again. The homes became a common interest for entry level homes that focused on a more neighborhood style of living.
The generation that grew up with the Ranch style homes was now looking for cheaper living as they were older in age. The interior features that come with a standard American home were now all fixable and upgradable: heating and cooling systems, plumbing, wiring, doors and windows.
They were briefly popular again in California and were constructed with the same style as traditional Ranch homes but with one common difference. These newly built structures included a garage that was on the side of the home and did not interfere with the front side.
The Ranch style structures were beginning to be built more but with two variations. They were now being built as two story structures with a basement that is underground. More space in the house and still at an affordable price for the middle class made this style of structure rise again in American living. The second variation is that they are not used as commercial structures. Drive-in shopping centers and strip mall use the Ranch style structure, giving it a new revival in American Architecture.
Since Phoenix began to grow wildly after the war there are many more transitional ranch homes throughout it. Some of the early examples can be seen in Yaple Park, Pierson Place or Willo.
Read about the other architectural syles in Phoenix.
