THE BUNGALOW

Bungalows were built in Denver primarily from 1900 to 1930. The style of the Bungalow however dates from 1880 to 1930. The bungalow was popular because it represented simplicity and artistry in one affordable house. It was a distinct architectural style that was for its day, unique. The working man of modest means could achieve respectability in a bungalow. The bungalow represented practicality, simplicity, affordability, efficiency, comfort, style, solid construction, and above all, great plumbing. Bungalows built in Denver were typically one or one and a half story homes. A bungalow typically has a low profile home with most of the main living space on the main floor with a front facing porch. This simplified the building process and controlled costs and represented safety as a big selling point. All of the heating and plumbing were confined to one floor. In case of a fire, one could easily escape through the nearest window or door. Staircases were less used and controlled the building costs and allowed for household chores to occur without a lot of trips up and down stairs. This was great for the elderly.

The roots of the word bungalow come from the province of Bengal , India . From the root word bangala, eighteenth century huts with thatched roofs were converted or adapted by the British. The original bungalows in the US cost in the area of $900 with a good sized bungalow ranging up to an astounding $3,500.

Styles of Bungalow

Craftman Style:

• street-facing gables with composition or shingled roofs
• painted or stained brown or dark green (to merge with nature)
• wide overhanging eaves
• the sleeping porch
• front door opens directly into the living room
• dark wood paneling
• plastered ceiling (sometimes crossed geometrically with wooden beams)
• fireplace (always)
• casement windows
• arched openings flanked with built in bookcases to separate living room and dining room
• bedrooms with woodwork

Mission Style:

• tile roofs
• vaguely Moorish towers
• round arches recalling a mission cloister
• plain but functional interiors
• fireplace

Tudor Style:

• steeply pitched roof, usually side-gabled (may be parapet or false thatched)
• wall cladding (stucco, brick, stone or wood)
• tall, narrow windows (commonly in groups with multipane glazing)
• large, elaborate chimneys (commonly crowned with decorative pots)
• decorative half-timbering
• detailed doorways

Prarie Style:

• low-pitched roofs, usually hipped or gabled, with widely overhanging eaves
• two stories, with one-story wings or porches
• massive square or rectangular piers of masonry used to support porch roofs
• rows of casement windows
• window boxes or flattened pedestal urns for flowers
• broad, flat chimneys
• contrasting wall materials or trim, emphasizing second story
• decorative friezes or door surrounds with floral ornamentation
• Wright's famous furnishings and flowing interiors

Foursquare:

• cubish shape
• two full stories
• hipped roof and front roof dormer
• front porch (ranging from wraparounds to simple stoops)
• windows usually grouped in pairs
• 4 bedrooms typically

Chicago Style:

• all brick (in an assortment of shades)
• three levels of living space
• slotted right next to the neighboring house
• 20 first-floor windows
• leaded or stained glass widows inserted here and there
• generous use of wood and ceramic tile
• tile roofs