Discover the enduring charm and artistry of the bungalow by touring hundreds of examples, from prairie- and Spanish-style, to Craftsman and beyond. Douglas Keister, renowned architectural photographer takes you on a visual tour of Americas favorite house style. He has beautifully photographed bungalows from across the country, and presents them here in crisp detail. Whether youre looking to build or improve your home, or just want enjoy this architectural forms casual elegance, 500 Bungalows is a delight!

Introduction

Prairie-Style Bungalows

Spanish-Style Bungalows

Craftsman Bungalows

Craftsman Eclectic Bungalows

Bungalow Bugaloo

I am often asked, "Exactly what is a bungalow?" While always happy to attempt an answer, the fact is that the word's definition is less than definitive.

Scholars generally agree that the term comes from the word bangala (or a variation), referring to a thatched-roof building with a shaded veranda that British colonialists encountered in India. The concept was imported to England, where it became associated not only with small residences but with seaside summer homes, many of which were quite expansive. In the late 1800s the bungalow's relaxed character found good company with England's Arts & Crafts movement, which advocated modest living, handcrafted objects, and an appreciation of nature.

The wordand the house formjumped the Atlantic and rapidly caught on among the ballooning middle class here in the United States. During the nineteen-teens and twenties, most every newlywed couple of modest means wanted a bungalow. They were romanticized; popular songs were written about them. Sears, Roebuck and Co. and its competitors sold tens of thousands of bungalow kits by mail. Bungalows signified independence and respectability, a home that boasted the quality and artistry of the mansions of the wealthy but on a scale that was affordable and could be managed without servants.

But how does one identify a bungalow? The typical specimen built in the U.S. was a cozy, one- or one-and-a-half story house with a horizontal orientation, a gently pitched roof, overhanging eaves, and a prominent front porch. It gets a little fuzzy beyond that. Then, like today, realtors and developers labeled their product whatever they thought would sell it and, for many years, "bungalow" sold like crazy. They were also happy to vary the concept to satisfy the customer. Did a young bride dream of the romantic locales in motion pictures? A Spanish bungalow fulfilled her fantasies. Was a home buyer captivated by the allure of the east? An oriental-style bungalow domesticated the exotic. Did a young couple appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright's progressive designs but lack the funds to hire him? A Prairie-style bungalow was within their means.

So don't worry too much about trying to nail down a precise definition of the bungalow. Just spend some time with the examples in these pages and you'll surrender to their charm, artistryand variety.

–Tim Counts, president, Twin Cities Bungalow Club
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota