Shed Style Homes

Shed Homes Were Particular Favorites of Architects in the 1960s and 1970s

A subset of the Modern style, including Ranch, Split Level, and Contemporary, They feature multiple roofs sloping in different directions, which creates multi-geometric shapes; wood shingle, board, or brick exterior cladding; recessed and downplayed front doorways; and small windows. There's virtually no symmetry to the style.

Shed Style refers to a style of architecture that makes heavy use of exposed wooden surfaces, inspired by traditional mountain lodge architecture, but much more modernistic in its execution. Other materials such as stone and textured concrete may also be employed.

Coniferous trees are usually used in the surrounding landscaping, adding to the "woodsy" feel of the architecture. These buildings are usually very angular and faceted in their design to emphasize the wood paneling, both inside and out. Expansive, translucent panels of fluorescent lighting are commonly seen interlaced with the wooden surfaces. Shed style architecture experienced most of its popularity in the 1960s, where it was commonly used for houses, schools and small office buildings. The style largely died out in urban areas in the late 1980s, mostly due to the high maintenance requirements of the wooden exteriors. Shed Style is still very popular in forested regions, where many would argue it rightly belongs, and most of the structures built by the National Park Service are still being built in this style, perhaps the most notable of these being the Yosemite Village and Camp Curry developments in Yosemite National Park.

Suggested Home Styles Books

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