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Modern Architectures of North America

Aerial View of Levittown in 1950

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Suburbia
The Development of Suburbia
The rise of suburbs, such as Levittown and the mid-century Californian Suburb, have a strong relation with the end of World War II. WWII on the home front and abroad demanded the newest, most modern technology. This modern way of thinking persisted after the war's end and found its way into the development of homes. Veterans coming back from war were in need of homes and looking to settle down with their families, creating a huge demand of houses across the United States. In the 1950s, the rise of suburbia was the answer to accommodate everyone's needs. Single-family homes, often created through mass-production, promised individual space and offered privacy in addition to a sense of community.
Impact of Design on Inhabitants' Class
The suburban homes were generally affordable, which suited the middle-class inhabitants well especially in Levittown. Mass produced homes created with assembly line style construction encouraged efficiency and low prices. Materials bought in bulk also promoted the affordable prices. In both suburban locations described here, houses were designed for the traditional American family, often sharing the same socioeconomic status. Contrastingly, in California, clients' status varied depending on the architect. The Clients for Eichler housing developments varied from Neutra's. Neutra often catered to the wealthy while Eichler designed for the middle class and wanted the mid-century modernist Californian dwelling to be available to many.
Gender Roles and Architecture
Although modern in construction and design, the suburbs often enforced old domestic roles, including the idea of the housewife. The architecture of suburban homes enforced gender roles, such as women cooking meals, cleaning the home, and watching the children. The design and location of the kitchen within the home particularly encouraged women to play out these roles. Windows over kitchen sinks allowed women to multitask, doing dishes while watching their children in the back yard. Suburban homes did provide modern amenities to make women's roles slightly less draining however. One example includes the incorporation of stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. These allowed for easy, efficient clean up and also contributed to the modern aesthetic. Modern technology of made housework easier with automatic dryers, mixers, and knife sharpeners as well.
Modernity Continued
Modern design of Californian suburbs incorporated nature with open air atriums, connecting it to the outdoors and letting in natural light. A key component in creating the dynamic of the suburban communities in Levittown and California was the presentation and design of the landscape. In Levittown, the front lawn served as a first impression. Clean kept lawns presented Levittown in a positive manner and encouraged community pride. Similarly, the interaction of suburban homes in California used nature to portray the homes and family in a certain way. Pinwheel structures within these Californian homes work to emphasize the spread of natural light while also entertaining of family.
Floor Plan's Emphasis on the Nuclear Family
The Eichler home as well as the homes located in Levittown demonstrate open floor plans. In each case, the open floor plans allow residents to easily communicate and flow freely in the space. With this design there is also a lack of private spaces, encouraging the togetherness. Additionally, the location encourages the nuclear family because of safe neighborhoods, proximity to schools, and presence of community with playgrounds and other communal facilities.