How houses have changed over the past 100 years

There’s no place like home, as the saying goes. But what makes an ideal home can be quite personal. The wide variety of houses available today in terms of design and architecture is a reflection of the huge shift in how the general population live. We’re not just talking about the caves our ancient ancestors used to live in, but just how much has changed over the last century.

Over the past 100 years, there have been huge changes in how houses are designed and built, from the introduction of indoor plumbing to luxurious extravagances like stained glass windows. There has also been a huge change in the construction industry as a whole, which has affected housing for everyone.

Join us as we take a journey through how homes have changed over the last century, explained by the experts at Build-Zone.

1901

The turn of the century saw the end of the Victorian era. This meant that many of the homes in the early 1900s were Victorian style. Railway travel became more accessible, while patterned bricks and roofing tiles became popular. During this time, it was common for there to be a fireplace in every room to keep the house warm, while stained glass windows and ornate ‘gable’ trim also became fashionable. More and more homes were also built with the addition of front porches. This ranged from fully enclosed concrete designs to partial coverings. They are still seen on homes built today.

But, one of the most revolutionary changes to houses during this era was the introduction of indoor plumbing. Richer households even had indoor flushing toilets, rather than the traditional outhouses. This was not a requirement for poorer houses, and poor/affluent houses had different regulations back then.

1901-1918

Following the Victorian era came the Edwardian period, which brought different things to houses and the world of construction. The number of rooms in houses began to decline, but the rooms that were constructed were built to be more open and airy. Porches continued to be an important feature of a house, showing status and wealth. The very upper classes had large and opulent porches.

The simpler design is matched with wide hallways, bigger windows, and simple interior features. This roomier design was achievable because these homes were often built in the suburbs, rather than inside cities. Arguably the most defining factor in Edwardian architecture was the desire to add handmade touches to the home, in response to the mass production seen in the Victorian era.

Post WW1

Up until 1918, the difference between living standards for the rich and the poor was vast. The class divide resulted in huge differences in housing, but, after WW1, the government made its first real attempt at restricting the gap between how the classes live. With the war, came the reminder of the value of human life, sparking the ‘Addison Act’ which was the beginning of what we know today as council housing.

The proposed houses were to have a parlour, living room and scullery. This age set in motion the right to access housing for all.

1930s

In 1922, King Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, and this, in turn, inspired the art deco style which echoed through to the design of houses at this time. New materials became more commonplace in house building, such as concrete and steel. This was an important era for houses because it’s when boxy semi-detached houses became very popular. It’s one of the most common architectural styles you see in Britain today. The semi-detached homes were designed with curved bay windows and hipped roofs.

Another particularly important part of the 1930s was the introduction of the precursor to the Structural Warranty. It was brought about to combat the lesser building standards of the post-war era. This was a revelation, and an invention which has been developed into the structural warranties we see today from companies like Build-Zone, providing comprehensive cover to housing developers and homeowners.

Post WW2

Just like after the first world war, the post-WW2 era brought a resolve to build affordable housing for all. There were also lots of houses to be rebuilt. One of the most popular styles of housing of this time was ‘Airey Houses’, which were prefabricated buildings that could be built quickly, as the main material was concrete slabs. But, this choice of material makes these types of houses difficult to heat – leading some councils to add more insulation in later years.

During this period, people also preferred their houses to be detached or semi-detached, rather than terraced.

The Building Regulations Act 1965

Change was afoot in the 1960s, as buildings were finally adapting to the times. To improve the standard of buildings throughout England and Wales, the first set of national standards were introduced in the Building Regulations Act of 1965. These standards defined what qualified as building work and the notification procedure that must be followed when starting, carrying out and completing building work.

It also outlined the structures that were exempt from the regulations, such as temporary structures, as well as requirements for specific aspects for building design. This regulation ensured that a proper procedure was followed when building a structure, increasing the quality of buildings throughout England and Wales. In other words, the Building Regulations Act was the first introduction of the 10-year structural warranty, something in which Build-Zone has offered to UK clients since 2003.

Housing Boom

The popularity of terraced houses resurfaced during this time, as well as high-rise buildings. This was likely due to the fact that there was still a large amount of housing needed after the war. The terraced houses were thought to be more modern and radically new, reaching their peak during the 70s.

Although terraced houses were experiencing a resurgence in popularity, the previously mentioned high-rise buildings were replacing some of them. In fact, the demolition of seemingly outdated terraced housing became an issue in some areas, such as Leeds. Residents were against the demolition of back-to-back housing, claiming they were a great fit for older people or those with a low income. (According to The Place of Home: English Domestic Environments)

The Building Act 1984

Two fundamental changes were made to the Building Regulations Act, which ultimately changed the industry.

• Functional performance standards were introduced, set in terms of what was adequate, reasonable or appropriate, supported by statutory guidance in the Approved Documents.

• Competition was promoted within the building control sector through the addition of private sector approved inspectors. (Such as Build-Zone.)

As a result, standards became flexible and supported innovation. This increased the efficiency of the construction industry, while also maintaining the quality that the original act intended. Lenders also started requiring structural warranties to protect investments.

Modernisation in the 90s

The 1990s came with the need for a modern version of Victorian developments, which saw the trend for builds that were defined by their mock timber framing, rendered walls and cottage features. Unfortunately, this housing development was stifled by the recession in the 90s, and it only recovered properly once the 90s ended. This recession saw house prices plummet, but that didn’t stop other styles, such as postmodernism, from flourishing.

Housing Today

The houses of today display that modern architecture is on the rise. You’ll see an array of housing styles from modern developments with thatched roofs to sustainable, environmentally friendly builds.

So, the past 100 years has seen a lot of change in the housing industry and it’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for construction in the years to come.