Ranch Homes Changed America

Flexibility was seen in the open floor plans of California Ranchers, where rooms could easily flow from Homes could now be built according to lifestyle rather than architectural guidelines. Livability was the most immediate benefit of Ranch homes, as the single floor layout allowed more more connection between inside and outside, as well as much larger main rooms. Early 20th century California architects Cliff May and William Wurster are often credited with developing the style, which stressed three basic concepts: livability; flexibility; and unpretentious character. The first modern wave of Ranch building was known as California Ranch style.
Many large Ranch homes came to include U-shaped floor plans, courtyards, and large front porches. As name suggests, this practical building style was also used for homes on Ranches across the southwest. Adobe covered with brick and plaster was commonly used for Ranch walls, while roofs were low and simple, usually with wide eaves providing shade from the summer heat. These buildings usually had single story floor plans, and were constructed with simple materials and native plants to meet the needs of their inhabitants.

A made-in-America tradition, the Ranch movement traces its roots back to southwestern colonial architecture of the 17th to 19th century. Like any popular trend, Ranch homes have also endured their share of criticism over the decades, although demand for them has remained strong. More than a single architectural form, this building movement addresses the needs of American life, and has been adapted for a wide variety of construction methods. The Ranch style is America's most pervasive building method.