A new take on ranches by Johnsen Schmaling Architects. Photo: Doug Edmunds
If you reside in a ranch-style home, you live in what is now one of the more popular and most affordable architectural styles of today. The one-story homes were most popular in the middle of the 20th century, but have declined in recent decades. However, thanks to the economy, McMansion backlash and surge of baby boomers, the ranch is suddenly desirable again!
Not only are existing ranches enjoying a revival, contemporary architects are also favoring ranch-style designs. For example, the architectural firm of Johnsen Schmaling Architects designed an AIA-award winning ranch-style house in a suburb of Milwaukee, gutting the original and dilapidated 1970's structure to build a new 1,380 square foot ranch in a contemporary cube shape (above).
A Swedish spin on the ranch-style home by WRB Architects. Photo: Widjedal Racki Bergerhoff
In Sweden, the architectural firm of WRB designed a contemporary H-shaped ranch-style home that envelopes a courtyard (above).
There are even luxury ranch-style home plans on the market. Donald A. Gardner Architects specializes in distinctive ranch-style house plans with touches of elegance, all designed to have as much square footage as two-story houses (below). You have to look really hard to see that these designs are one-story ranches.
Sophisticated ranch home plans by Don A. Gardner Architects. Photo: Copyright 2008 Donald A. Gardner
Melman notes some shifting sands in this trend: The floor plan for The New American Home 2010, the showcase home at January's International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, was designed with dual main level master bedroom suites at opposite ends of the first floor. While the plan doesn't commit to being a ranch, but it's not quite the typical Colonial, either.
The return of the ranch is only likely to gain momentum as first-time home buyers and baby boomers warm to ranches. Every seven seconds in this country, someone turns 50, and they want easy, comfortable homes. Melman adds that of the 55-plus market, 79 percent prefer ranch-style homes.
Whether it's traditional or contemporary in style, one thing is for sure -- the ranch has come a long way, baby!
Want to learn more about different styles homes? Read all about split-level homes and shotgun houses.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thew ranch style house is making a comeback??? Hell, I never knew it went out of style lol. Then again, it's personal taste and when it comes to that, I don't CARE if my personal tastes are "in style" or not! Matter of fact, once I'm able to actually build my dream house (of course it's a ranch style) I HOPE it's out of style and maybe that will make it a little cheaper to build lol. Now that I think about it, I can see why the ranch maybe was out of style. So many people today want to say "look at what I've got" in their style of house so they build some huge two story with all kinds of rooms and a 4 car garage. Maybe people are FINALLY realizing that having all that room, having so many different rooms they never even use is nothing but a waste? Then again perobably not huh, there will always be way to many people who's only goal is keeping up with the Joneses. I'll forever laugh at all those kinda people lol. Are YOU one? If so...LOL!!!!!
Reply"Then again *perobably not huh, there will always be way to many people who's only goal is keeping up with the Joneses."
*the term is probable*
We never wanted to keep up with the so called "Joneses/Kennedys/Trumps". We needed the room, we had four children and foster 24 over a period of time. When our children went to college, they would bring about four to six other students and our living room became a dorm. There was laughter, sweet, small appreciated hand make notes or gifts of thank you. No liquor, no drugs, just a good time had by all.
Me form DG
Are we talking ranch or mid-century modern or Dallas contemporary? Big difference. The two photos are mid-century modern and the rendering looks like a take on Dallas contemporary.
ReplyCarol - you can't put someone down on grammar until you learn grammar yourself! AND, who said he was talking to you! Lighten up!
I hope McDonalds doesn't sue the writer of this article for using the term "McMansions" like they're suing poor little Lauren McClusky for daring to use her Mc prefix and calling her charity concert series McFest!
ReplyAnd since I've lived in ranch houses all my life, I guess it doesn't matter if they're fashionable or not!
Had no idea Ranch houses were out before now. I just know I've never liked them and would never buy one. But if someone else does there's nothing wrong with that. I dislike most of the things we had when I was a child in the 70s - ranch houses, sliding glass doors, the "weathered" look, open floor plans, mid century modern furniture. Now there's people who collect mid century modern items. To each his own.
ReplyOne major advantage of a ranch style for baby boomers is the lack of stairs. I have lived in large two story homes when I was young, and carrying laundry up and down stairs is dangerous. I bought a ranch from the 70's and I love it.
Makes sense. I didn't want to get a duplex condo because my Mom comes to visit a lot and stairs aren't good for her. But I still don't like ranches.
The biggest reason that ranch style homes went "out of style", is because of the builders. It's much cheaper to build a two story home than a ranch. Half the foundation and concrete expense with the same square footage. Half the roof area,,half the ceiling insulation,, smaller lot,,etc.
Replycan not be any worse than the mcmansions of the las 20 years - i am betting there are not many of any style built for a few yeasrs
ReplyI have to stand up for the not-so-humble McMansion. My family and I lived in a 3 BR, 2BA ranch for years, our kids sharing bedrooms, almost every room having a dual purpose, with no room to spare. There was the living/dining/music room, the den/playroom/office/library, the bedroom/exercise room. Before anything was brought into our home, it had to be evaluated to determine if it was worthy of the space it would take up.
Last year, we moved into a home that seems to fit most people's definition of a McMansion: two-story foyer, two-story family room with a large window wall, more than 3,000 sf inside, a brick facade with vinyl siding on the outside. (Of course, the brick facade with vinyl siding is pretty much the standard for any house built in our area over the past 20 years, no matter how humble its size.) Finally, we have room to stretch out a bit. Heating and cooling costs are about the same as they were in our old house, because our McMansion was constructed with modern standards for high energy efficiency, and we now have economical natural gas to heat our home.
While self-appointed guardians of good taste may frown on our vinyl siding, or pooh-pooh the giant master bath tub, or scowl over the size of my yard (they can't seem to agree which is worse: big house on small lot, or big house on big lot), I love my house. My walls are drywall, not plaster. My chandeliers are brass, not leaded crystal. I have a big flat-panel TV hanging where the guardians of taste would insist artwork should be hung. How is that hurting anybody? This house makes me and my family happy. Or is gracious living supposed to be off-limits to any but the elite?
Momma, 3000 sf is neither a mansion nor a McMansion, and I don't think a little extra room qualifies as "gracious living." Still, I'm glad you enjoy your house.
PB, those who smear others' homes as McMansions seem to have a hard time defining how much square footage qualifies as a McMansion; I used the 3000 sf because that seems to be where many who decry bigger houses start hurling around the McMansion epithet. Other factors, such as two-story foyers & family rooms or brick facades with vinyl siding on the remainder of the house, seem to be most consistently singled out for McMansion derision.
Complaints about "those horrible McMansions" are many, and are often contradictory. If it's not someone saying the houses are too big for their lots, it's someone complaining that putting huge houses on big lots creates sprawl. Some object when houses are all clones of each other in a homogenous neighborhood, others object when a house doesn't fit in with other houses in the neighborhood.
My point is that bigger houses have been taking a lot of flak, presumably by (a) people who can't afford them, (b) architects who are bummed because people aren't willing to spring for their services to build an exquisitely detailed, one-of-a-kind creation, or (c) environmental extremists who would like to dictate square-footage-per-person allowances and see people herded up from suburbia and into high-density urban areas.
To each his/her own, but I've just never felt like a ranch house was a real "home." I've got to have an upstairs to feel at home. . . (also a piano and a fireplace). I've owned two ranches and a bungalow. I hated both ranches except that they happened to have huge yards. No idea why they turn me off - they just do. I finally got a two-storey place and it just feels right. I only wish I still owned the ranches now so that I could cash in on this "revival!"
ReplyMost 2 story homes are crap. the second story has wood floors and the cheap ones have wood frame walls on the second story. If you have foot or leg injuries or mobility issues you cant get upstairs and you can hear people walking across the floor upstairs.
ReplyI recently bought a ranch house. Why? It's the only way to go as you get older! Actually, it's on un-level terrain, so I have to go up two steps to get into the house, but that's not a problem, even with a bad leg or two. The JOY of having a laundry room off the kitchen and no attic to store unnecessary things is such a treat! I'm a pack-rat, and the temptation is too great with an attic or garage, so this hime will simplify my life, and definitely reduce clutter. Also, the house has a huge kitchen, and stocking up on groceries is a breeze. Getting older? Get a RANCH!
ReplyWell, the ranch shown in the pictures is one most people would want; it looks like something Frank Lloyd Wright designed. A far cry from the monotmous 1950's ranches that dot the American suburbs. However, I have no issue with the older ranches, but most families with kids will never again live in them. People won't settle for three bedrooms and one bathroom like we once did. However, for young single folks or retirees, they are just fine.
ReplyRanch house is a subjective term...we have lived in three homes that would be considered ranch style. One was "ordinary", one was Spanish syle and the one we live in now is what I would call Country
ReplyModren. All were/are 3000 square feet and all laid out entirely different. Having lived in three other homes that were two story, I can tell you that having no stairs to climb is a blessing regardless of your age. Besides, a house, no matter its' design, is only a home if you love it.