Experiencing American Houses: Understanding How Domestic Architecture Works

Experiencing American Houses provides a comprehensive overview of how American domestic spaces have changed over four hundred years, encouraging readers to think creatively about houses in terms of their function. It covers cooking spaces, eating spaces, sleeping, health, privacy, circulation, and storage, and provides students and readers with the necessary context to understand the development of historic and contemporary houses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2022
Publisher: University of Tennessee Press

A captivating journey through four centuries of American domestic spaces, Experiencing American Houses offers a well-illustrated, holistic overview that encourages readers to think creatively about houses beyond their mere appearance. By delving into the lived experiences of the evolving American house, this insightful volume helps readers understand the historical context behind the design and function of various rooms, from the colonial period to the present. Elizabeth Collins Cromley's study spans a vast timeline, making the domestic spaces of the past feel like vital precursors to our contemporary experiences.

The book begins by exploring cooking spaces, tracing the evolution from multi-use areas to dedicated rooms designed for cooking. Cromley examines the transition from fires on earthen floors to sleek modern spaces equipped with twenty-first-century appliances. She also examines how social class, income, and local customs shaped the suitability of spaces for socializing and entertaining, giving rise to names such as sitting room, drawing room, hall, living room, family room, or parlor.

Moving beyond cooking spaces, Cromley delves into eating spaces, which have undergone a fascinating transformation. Initially, multi-use areas served as gathering places for meals, but they gradually evolved into separate dining rooms and then reverted back to multi-use areas. The author explores the changing dynamics of eating spaces, considering factors such as the rise of formal dining and the influence of technology on mealtime habits.

In addition to cooking and eating spaces, Experiencing American Houses explores spaces for sleeping, health, privacy, and circulation. Cromley analyzes the functions of seemingly inconspicuous features like hallways, back doors, and staircases, shedding light on how they shape our daily lives and interactions within the home. She also discusses the evolution of storage, which began primarily as a means to store and preserve food. Clothing closets grew from oddly shaped afterthoughts to generous walk-ins, reflecting the changing needs and desires of households over time.

Furthermore, the book explores the impact of material wealth on domestic spaces. As wealth increased, the need for storage outbuildings emerged to accommodate the growing accumulation of goods. This shift in storage requirements reflects the changing social and economic dynamics of American society.

Experiencing American Houses is an accessible and engaging resource for anyone interested in history, architecture, and the evolution of domestic spaces. It provides a deep understanding of the cultural and social factors that have shaped the American house over centuries, and it encourages readers to appreciate the rich tapestry of homes that have contributed to the nation's rich heritage.

Weight: 271g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781621904410