Craftsman House Plans - Family, Simplicity and Elegance
Article by Moti Wyner
Looking into craftsman house plans? This article will explore the roots of craftsman house plans and how that tradition and style is important for you.
1. How did craftsman house plans become popular?
During the overlapping periods of the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era, the upper-class tended to build large opulent homes, often made from mass produced materials. The common folk, be they laborers, farmers, or other professionals, lived in simpler, hand-built homes, using natural materials and their own skilled hands to build their abode.
These aspects of society both the using of mass-produced materials for the construction, as well as the large, over-done home design, was symbolic of that periods disregard for the common working man. This disregard is expressed by the fact that the upper-class used construction materials that might have been made by the common worker, who probably had worked under slave-like conditions to produce those materials.
Instead of boycotting the companies that produced the materials, and force them to treat their workers better, the upper-class turned a blind eye and ignored the plight of the laborers.The actual design of these Victorian style homes clearly indicated a master/servant relationship. The kitchen, for example, was completely closed from the rest of the house; the family hardly entered it, with the servants the only ones to use it during the preparation of all the meals. As a result, these kitchens, aside from being closed to the rest of the house, also lacked an area for the family to eat, as they never would eat there anyway.
As a result of all this, both in England and the USA, people starting building homes with cleaner lines, using only natural materials that had been made, often by hand, by a local artisan. This probably resulted in better terms and payments for the home builder, as he could charge more for his work as it was unique, and he could work under better conditions.
Additionally, the middle-class, who could not afford servants or live-in help, began to design their homes differently. The mother was often responsible for all the cooking, cleaning and child-care. As such, she needed a kitchen that was open to the rest of the house, allowing her to see what her kids were doing at all times.
She also needed a place for the family to eat in the kitchen, as that was where she spent a considerable amount of time, and feeding the family in the kitchen was much more convenient.The result of all this, is what became known as craftsman house plans.
2. What are some of the features found in craftsman house plans?
Overall, craftsman house plans incorporate simplicity and functionality into the home design. The use of natural or crafted materials, such as wood, stone, or glass is quite common in craftsman house plans.
Specifically, some architectural aspects include things like low-pitched roof lines, gabled or hipped roofs, deeply overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, and the front porch beneath an extension of the main roof.
3. Can craftsman house plans be environmentally friendly?
The whole philosophy of craftsman house plans is based on societal awareness. This goes hand-in-hand with the current green revolution. Craftsman house plans can easily incorporate many green features.
Discover how you can make your craftsman house plansenvironmentally friendly.
About the Author
Moti Wyner is an expert in home design and creating house plans. Visit him at http://www.freegreen.com
