20th Century: Times They Are a-Changin'. Architecture

During this time, architects were still borrowing from various earlier periods, but hey, where else can we go? There was a major focus on common homes and houses were being built like crazy. The development of the American Dream prompted the boom of suburbias.

The Arts and Crafts movement introduced houses and small bungalows. Printed houseplans eliminated the need for architects and prebuilt houses could even be ordered from Sears and Roebucks catalogs. As the century loomed on, industrial technology continued to boom and materials such as plywood, concrete steel, and prefabricated building materials became more readily available. Modernism brought on movements such as Art Deco the Cubist De Stijl. After WWII houses welcomed more comfort and efficiency by downsizing homes and using rooms for multiple uses. 

The Craftsman style is characterized by low-pitched gabled roofs, large porches, and exposed structural elements. Natural materials were of key importance in the Arts & Crafts movement and simpler style was considered to lead to a healthy, comfortable lifestyle. These houses typically featured 1-1.5 stories, covered front porches, dormers, and built-in cabinetry. 

Prairie style architecture was a protest to the overblown Victorian styles of the earlier century. The from of these buildings was low and long with big, overhanging eaves, and covered porches. They were 1 or 2 stories and were characterized by low-pitched roofs, strong horizontal lines, and ribbons of windows. Like the Craftsman style, the Prairie style used natural materials like stone and wood.

The American Foursquare style emerged with pattern books and catalogs, so they could be built anywhere in the US. The boxlike house used little materials and provided lots of space efficiently. These houses were 2-2.5 stories and had hipped roofs with wide eaves. Large light windows were seen in front as well as a column-supported covering of the large porch.