Craftsman Home Architecture

Craftsman Home Architecture — The late 19th-century Arts and Crafts movement redefined construction and introduced the Craftsman Style in architecture. Builders used locally sourced stone and wood to create an environmentally stable and sustainable structure.

This style features low-pitched gable roofs with wide overhangs, large front porches, and exposed wooden structural elements. Traditional Craftsman bungalows, though architecturally significant, are modest homes built with wood siding, native bricks, or stones. Exposed rafters, usually low gables with one or two large dormers, support the broad roofs. This feature is commonly referred to as Craftsman Windows. Thick square or round columns with triangular brackets and exposed beams support the roofs.

Most craftsman homes also use stone supports for the porch. Visitors enter the home through the porch, reflecting its basic concept. The porch displays exposed materials and details, creating a transitional space between outside and inside. It introduces the building’s interior theme and architectural tone right at the entry point.

Minimal decoration and clear lines define the design of a craftsman-style kitchen. Craftsman kitchens highlight strong construction and simple, straight cabinets. British colonists in India popularized the Craftsman Style for many bungalows. Over time, this style evolved into simpler versions and spread through plan books and home kits. Modern bungalows may adopt various styles, but their origins lie in Craftsman homes. Almost all Craftsman houses are bungalows, but not all bungalows are Craftsman. Standardized details and skilled workmanship express the true essence of a Craftsman House.