The Suburban House

Rationale for Suburban Living

- Space, materiality, light, gardens, informality, openness.

- Low density living

- Villa/bungalow within large gardens (ie. building within landscape)

- Abundant amenity, more space & larger blocks, living further apart, openness.

- Seen as good place for children to grow up.

- Interaction with outdoors - patio, backyard, front yard, street, neighbours

Dual quality of suburbia

- Separation and distinction from the city

- Inextricable link to the city - transportation revolution (car, trams, trains)

- Suburb as liminal (in-between) space between country (openness) & city (employment, lifestyle)

- Emerged in postwar USA, Australia, New Zealand.

- Inner city associated with disease and poverty.

Evolution of Suburb

- Smaller plots, larger houses (ie. increased site coverage), typically 2 storeys, reduced outdoor space (internalised space).

- Less natural lighting & ventilation, increased use of artificial lighting, heating and A/C.



Changing Demographics

- Non-nuclear family entities



Flexibility