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diff --git a/59599-0.txt b/59599-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8b9789 --- /dev/null +++ b/59599-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1894 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59599 *** + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Transcriber Note + +Text emphasis is denoted by _Italics_ and =Bold=. Whole and fractional +parts of numbers as 12-3/4. + + + U. S. DEPARTMENT OF + AGRICULTURE + + FARMERS' BULLETIN No. 1738 + + + FARMHOUSE PLANS + + [Illustration] + + +The Farmhouse Plans presented in this bulletin were developed in +connection with the Farm Housing Survey made in the spring of 1934 by the +United States Department of Agriculture and the agricultural colleges of +46 States, with funds provided by the Civil Works Administration. These +plans were selected from more than 100 prepared under the cooperation of +the following agencies and persons: + + United States Department of Agriculture: Bureau of Agricultural + Engineering, S. H. McCrory, Chief; Bureau of Home Economics, Louise + Stanley, Chief, and Director of the Rural Housing Survey. + + Alabama Polytechnic Institute: J. B. Wilson, extension engineer, + department of agricultural engineering. + + University of Arkansas: Deane G. Carter, head, department of + agricultural engineering. + + University of California: H. B. Walker, head, division of agricultural + engineering. + + University of Georgia: R. H. Driftmier, professor of agricultural + engineering. + + University of Illinois: E. W. Lehmann, head, and W. A. Foster, + assistant chief in rural architecture, department of agricultural + engineering. + + Purdue University (Indiana): William Aitkenhead, head, department of + agricultural engineering. + + Iowa State College: Henry Giese, professor, department of agricultural + engineering. + + Kansas State Agricultural College: H. E. Wichers, rural architect, + department of architecture. + + Massachusetts Agricultural College: C. I. Gunness, head, department of + agricultural engineering. + + University of Minnesota: H. B. White, assistant professor, division of + agricultural engineering. + + University of Missouri: J. C. Wooley, chairman, department of + agricultural engineering. + + Ohio State University: R. C. Miller, professor, department of + agricultural engineering. + + Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas: D. Scoates, head, + department of agricultural engineering. + + Virginia Polytechnic Institute: C. E. Seitz, head, department of + agricultural engineering. + + State College of Washington: L. J. Smith, head, department of + agricultural engineering. + + University of Wisconsin: S. A. Witzel, extension instructor, + department of agricultural engineering. + +At each of the cooperating institutions, home economics specialists were +consulted by the designers in regard to the arrangement of the kitchen +and other parts of the home. + +Working drawings for building the houses shown in this bulletin are +available from the extension services of the State agricultural colleges. +In most cases a small charge is made for the drawings. + + Washington, D.C. October, 1934 + + + + +FARMHOUSE PLANS + + +By Wallace Ashby, _Chief, Division of Structures, Bureau of Agricultural +Engineering_[1] + +[1] Acknowledgment is made of the extended collaboration of Louise +Stanley, Chief. Bureau of Home Economics, in selecting and reviewing the +plans presented herein; and of the helpful assistance of W. H. Nash, +architect, Bureau of Agricultural Engineering, in the preparation of both +the manuscript and illustrations for publication. Mary Rokahr, senior +home-management specialist, Extension Service, and Eloise Davidson, +director of domestic electric service program, Electric Home and Farm +Authority, made valuable suggestions regarding arrangement of kitchens +and other equipment. Helpful comments and suggestions have been received +from many other persons. Many of the perspective sketches illustrating +the house plans shown in this bulletin were drawn by C. W. Mead, Bureau +of Agricultural Engineering, + + + + +CONTENTS + + + Page + Farmhouse requirements 1 + Size 1 + Comfort and convenience 2 + Relation to other buildings and highway 3 + Appearance 4 + Safety 4 + + Construction materials 4 + + Costs 5 + Cellars 5 + Superstructures and porches 5 + Estimating by unit costs 6 + + Working drawings 7 + Caution regarding changes 7 + + Plans for houses 7 + One-story growing houses 7 + Moderate-sized one-story houses 34 + Houses of more than one story 45 + Very small houses 60 + + +The principal purpose of this bulletin is to supply plans A for low-cost +farm dwellings designed to meet the requirements of the farm operator and +his family. Some of the plans may be useful in eases where, in addition +to the main dwelling, smaller homes are needed for relatives, tenants, +or unmarried farm hands. Still others will be found useful in the +construction of low-cost houses for temporary use. + +A well-built farmhouse should last for 60 years or more. In the ordinary +course of events at least two generations of children will be brought up +in it. During these years the family operating the farm probably will +have no other choice of dwelling. The builder should, therefore, think +both of present needs and possible future requirements when selecting a +plan for a new farmhouse. + + + + +FARMHOUSE REQUIREMENTS + + +SIZE + +The first requirement of a satisfactory farmhouse is adequate size to +provide needed working area, storage space, and living and sleeping +quarters. For the average family at least three sleeping rooms are +needed,[2] one for the parents, one for the boys, and one for the girls. + +[2] Sometimes the living room must serve as one of the sleeping rooms. + +All the space may not be needed at the time the house is built, but +the chances are that it will be needed before many years. On the other +hand, many families find that after the children have grown up and left +home it is not necessary to use the entire house. For this reason it is +desirable to have it arranged so that part of the rooms may be closed off +or may be rented to tourists. + + +COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE + +Adequate, well-used space for both the family and the furniture is +a large factor in farmhouse comfort. The proper number, size, and +placement of windows, doors, and stairs, and good construction are +important. These matters have been carefully worked out in the plans +shown in this bulletin. Comfort also depends to a large extent on good +heating, plumbing, lighting, and screening. Information on some of these +subjects is given in Farmers' Bulletin 1698, Heating the Farm Home; 1448, +Farmstead Water Supply; 1426, Farm Plumbing; 1227, Sewage and Sewerage of +Farm Homes; Department Circular 405, The Domestic Oil Burner; and in U.S. +Department of Commerce bulletin, Insulation on the Farm, price 10 cents. + +The convenient arrangement of the farmhouse begins with its relationship +to the other farm buildings and to the highway. Unlike the city house, +the farmhouse has its main line of communication through the back or side +door. Therefore outside doors and porches should be located so as to give +convenient entrance from the farm driveway and the path to the barn, and +wherever possible should be on the sheltered side of the house. + +If possible, there should be a convenient place near the rear entrance +for men to leave their outer wraps and to wash before going into the +house. These facilities are often provided in a washroom or in one corner +of the workroom, but if there is no washroom or workroom in the house, +there should at least be clothes hooks and a bench and washbasin for +summer use on the back porch. + +It is also desirable that the work portions of the house, where the +housewife spends much of her time, look out over the farm buildings and +the entrance roadway. Most farm women like also a glimpse of the highway +from the kitchen window. + +Preferably the traffic way from the rear entrance to the main portion of +the house should not lead through the kitchen. If the kitchen must be +used as a passageway, the doors should be so arranged that the traffic +does not cross the work area. This not only decreases the possibility +of interference with household activities but also makes possible a +more compact and convenient arrangement of work equipment. An important +factor is a workroom or porch, on about the same level as the kitchen, +for laundry, canning, care of milk, and other farm activities and for +supplementary food storage. This saves much clutter in the kitchen itself +and contributes to more efficient arrangement. + +At least one bedroom should be provided on the first-floor of the +farmhouse, not too far from the kitchen, so that small children or +sick persons may be cared for conveniently. The bathroom should be +convenient to both downstairs and upstairs bedrooms, but preferably on +the first-floor. A space for a bathroom is very desirable even if the +fixtures cannot be put in at once. + +Ample storage space should be provided for clothing, bedding and linen, +wraps, food, dishes and utensils, cleaning equipment, toys, and fuel. In +general, these needs have been met in the plans given in this bulletin +by closets in halls and bedrooms, kitchen cabinets, shelves or pantries, +and cellar storage. Closet, cabinet, and shelf space adds greatly to the +convenience and comfort of a house and should not be omitted.[3] + +[3] Plans for closets and storage spaces can be obtained from the Bureau +of Home Economics. + +In the smaller plans shown here, an alcove or an end of the kitchen is +indicated for use as a dining area. In the larger plans, either a dining +room or a space for dining in the living room is provided, and in most +cases there is also space in the kitchen for "hurry-up" meals. + +The following points have been kept in mind in planning the kitchens. + +A sink in every house is recommended. Even when water must be carried +into the house, the sink and drain add much to the convenience of the +kitchen and may be installed very cheaply. Where running water is not +available, a pump may be installed beside the sink. However, running +water, hot and cold, adds more to the convenience of the farm-home than +almost any other factor. + +The sink should be well-lighted, with windows over or at one end of it. +Windows over the sink should have the sills higher than the back of the +sink. Such windows will need to be shielded from sun glare unless on the +north side of the house. The sink should have a drain board at the left +end, at the right a flat shelf for stacking dishes if there is no drain +board there. Dish storage should be near enough the left end of the sink +for the dishes to be put away without unnecessary steps. + +The cookstove should be conveniently near the sink, preferably against +the side wall, or across from it if the kitchen is narrow. + +A small food-preparation surface, table or shelf, should be placed next +to the stove at the same height as the cooking surface. There should be +cupboard space near the stove for the storage of cooking utensils. A +worktable should be provided for long mixing jobs; it should have knee +space and toe space. Staple supplies should be stored near this table +and, if possible, should be near the refrigerator and not too far from +the stove. + +The refrigerator should, for convenient use, be as near as possible +to the worktable and stove; however, the higher the surrounding +temperature the greater the cost of operating the refrigerator. If an +ice refrigerator is used, a location near the outside door lessens the +tracking of dirt into the house. A ventilated cupboard near the worktable +is convenient for storing the less perishable foods and reduces the +season during which ice is needed. + + +RELATION TO OTHER BUILDINGS AND HIGHWAY + +A house designed for the south or west side of the highway should be +reversed if it is to be built on the north or east. For example, plan +6521 (p. 24) would fit nicely on either the south or the west side of +the main road. If it were south of the highway, with the drive as shown, +the kitchen would be on the east where it would have the advantage of +the morning sunlight and in most localities the screened porch would be +sheltered from the coldest winds. If the house were on the west side of +the road, the kitchen would still get morning sunlight, and the porch +would protect it from the afternoon sun. On the other hand, if the house +were to be built on the north or east side of the road, the kitchen +would be badly sheltered and lighted, but reversing the plan so that the +kitchen would be on the right instead of the left side of the house would +remedy these conditions. + +Before deciding to build any house the plan should be studied carefully +to see how it will best fit the location and the arrangement of the rest +of the farmstead. + + +APPEARANCE + +Attractive appearance of a farmhouse is to be obtained by: + + Good taste in its proportions and exterior design. + + Materials chosen to suit the local environment and type of house, + effectively employed. + + A pleasing color scheme for the house, in harmony with its + surroundings. + + Proper planning with relation to the natural features of the site, + the other farm buildings, and the highway. + + Grading the site and planting trees, shrubs, and flowers. + +If the homes shown in this bulletin are carefully built according to the +drawings, they will be satisfactory with respect to the first two points. + +Proper location of the house is exceedingly important and must be worked +out on the ground. Farmers' Bulletin 1132, Planning the Farmstead, and +1087. Beautifying the Farmstead, will be found helpful in this and in the +planting of trees and shrubs around the house. Farmers' Bulletin 1452, +Painting on the Farm, discusses kinds and uses of paints. Other bulletins +on these subjects are available from several of the State agricultural +colleges. + + +SAFETY + +Safety in the farmhouse depends first on good construction for protection +from damage by wind, fire, decay, and termites. Safety is promoted +also by planning to avoid hazards from low beams, steep or unguarded +stairways, or badly placed doors and windows. The working drawings for +the houses illustrated herein embody good practice in these matters. The +welfare and convenience of the occupants will be further permanently +safeguarded through rat-proof construction, which eliminates "rat +harbors", and denies easy entrance of the rodents to the building. +Additional safety may be secured at slight cost by following the +recommendations in Farmers' Bulletins 1590, Fire Protective Construction +on the Farm; 1638, Rat Proofing Buildings and Premises; and 1649, +Construction of Chimneys and Fireplaces; Leaflet 87, Wind-Resistant +Construction for Farm Buildings, and Leaflet 101, Injury to Buildings by +Termites. + + + + +CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS + + +The houses shown in this bulletin may, with slight changes, be built of +wood, stone, concrete, brick, tile, earth, steel, or other materials. +The choice depends largely on owner's preference, local availability and +price, and the skill of local builders in using one or another. Many new +materials for various purposes such as roofing, flooring, and insulation +are on the market and deserve consideration. + +The practice common among farmers of hauling their own stone or concrete +materials, cutting their own logs where possible, having their lumber +sawed at local mills, and doing part of the actual construction work, aid +in reducing the cash outlay and in making possible a better house for the +same money expenditure. This is especially true where lumber is sawed +long enough before building starts to allow thorough seasoning. This +seasoning of lumber is important and is too often disregarded. + + + + +COSTS + + +The most satisfactory way to learn the probable cost of a house is to +obtain estimates from one or more local builders. Approximate costs may, +of course, be obtained by comparing the proposed house with one built +recently in the same community, or rough estimates may be based on the +size of the house and typical unit costs for the locality. + +Unit costs based on prices and wages prevailing in the spring of 1934 for +houses suitable for the localities were obtained for about 300 counties +by the Farm Housing Survey, A summary of the figures is as follows: + + +CELLARS + +Costs for ordinary cellars were reported for most sections as varying +from 50 cents to $1 per square foot of floor space. The cost per square +foot is, of course, less for a large than for a small cellar, other +things being equal. Easy excavation and low-cost materials also make +for low unit cost. Costs of nearly $2 per square foot were reported in +some sections where the ground-water level is high and cellar walls and +floor must be carefully waterproofed. In sections where cellars are not +ordinarily used the cost of the foundation was reported as part of the +cost of the house superstructure. + + +SUPERSTRUCTURES AND PORCHES + +Reported costs of one-story frame superstructures, including heating, +plumbing, and lighting equipment ordinarily used in the locality, ranged +from $1.25 to $2.25 per square foot of floor space in the South, from +$2.25 to $3.50 in the West and Southwest, from $2.50 to $4 in the North, +and from $3 to $4.50 in New England. Costs in Maryland, Virginia, and +West Virginia and in a narrow belt along the east coast, including +Florida, were reported from $2 to $3.25, and in the timber-producing +sections of the Northwest at about $2 per square foot. Costs in any +locality are influenced by local factors, generally being relatively high +near cities and in thickly settled sections and relatively low in places +where there are local supplies of lumber or other materials. + +Differences in cost between the various sections are due to differences +in the kinds of houses built, as well as to differences in material +costs and wages. The typical house in the North is much more compact and +substantial and provided with more expensive heating equipment than the +typical house in the South. + +The cost per square foot of floor area of two-story frame houses was +reported as being 5 to 15 percent less than that of one-story houses in +the same locality. + +The costs of typical masonry superstructures were generally reported +at $2 to $3 per square foot of floor area in the southern third of the +United States, from $3 to $4 per square foot in the central third, and +more than $4 per square foot in the northern third of the country. There +were many variations from these general levels, however, costs of about +$2 per square foot being reported in many localities in the States +bordering on or south of the Ohio River. Costs reported for counties +along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts were generally higher than for those +in the interior. Little difference in cost per square foot of floor area +in one-story and in two-story masonry houses was reported. The higher +costs reported for masonry houses as compared with frame are probably +due in part to better grades of finish and equipment used in the masonry +houses. + +The costs per square foot of floor space of open porches were reported as +being about half the costs per square foot of floor space in one-story +houses of similar materials. + + +ESTIMATING BY UNIT COSTS + +The floor areas of the cellar, the porches, and the house itself (the +superstructure) are shown with each plan. They do not include unexcavated +cellar space nor unfinished space in attics. The areas were figured from +the working drawings (see p. 7) because in some cases the dimensions +given in the plans herein are approximate only. The superstructure area +of a house of more than one story is given here as the area of the +first-floor plus the usable area of the second-floor. Stairways, halls, +and closets are included. To estimate very roughly what a house might +cost, multiply the number of square feet of cellar floor space by a cost +per square foot based on the costs stated above. Do the same for the +house superstructure and the porches, and add the figures together. This, +with allowance for price changes since the spring of 1934, will give +a rough estimate of total cost of the house. The actual cost will, of +course, be affected by the materials and home equipment which the owner +selects and by the skill and efficiency of the builders. + +If the owner can furnish part of the material or labor, or if interior +finish or equipment is omitted, the initial cash outlay may be reduced. +Estimates based on local prices and wage rates are to be preferred to +those based on the cost figures given above. + +Little study has been given to what amounts farm people are justified +in spending for their houses, but several investigations have been +made of expenditures for housing by people with fixed incomes. It is +generally agreed that the house ordinarily should not cost more than two +and one-half times the average annual net income of the family. In the +case of the farm family the value of the living furnished by the farm +should be considered as part of the income. Another generally accepted +rule, which perhaps is more nearly applicable to farm conditions, is +that not more than 25 percent--usually not more than 20 percent--of the +average annual net income of the family should be required for housing, +including principal payments, interest, taxes, insurance, repairs, and +miscellaneous costs. + + + + +WORKING DRAWINGS + + +Working drawings have been prepared giving all necessary dimensions +and details for building these homes. Farmers may obtain copies of +these drawings from the agricultural extension services of the State +agricultural colleges. The State extension services will supply only +those plans which are suitable in their respective States, and usually +will make a small charge to cover printing and mailing. + + +CAUTION REGARDING CHANGES + +These plans have been carefully prepared by competent architects in +consultation with home-management specialists and agricultural engineers +familiar with farm conditions in all parts of the United States. It is +urged that the plans be studied carefully before making a selection, +but that no changes be made in them except for alternate arrangements +indicated by the drawings or descriptions. Changing the size of a room or +the location of a door or window may spoil some other valuable feature, +and is almost certain to harm the appearance of the house. Doors and +windows should be selected according to the descriptive material on the +drawings. Sizes should be closely adhered to for best appearance. + +The prospective builder should not try to obtain too much originality, +but rather should base his selection on those features of the plan which +will give the utmost satisfaction in the long run. Differences in slope +of ground, location of the drive and farm buildings, and position and +amount of trees and shrubbery, all will contribute to the distinctive +appearance of the home. + +For homes of the type offered in this bulletin, the surroundings should +be kept free from distracting adornments. As a general rule, a few trees +to provide shade, some flowering shrubs of native growth grouped close to +the building to break harsh lines, and a bed or two of flowers selected +for their color value, will be sufficient decorative relief. + + + + +PLANS FOR HOUSES + + +The 40 house plans shown in this bulletin have been arranged in four +groups representing, respectively, (1) 1-story growing houses; (2) +1-story houses originally built with two or more separate bedrooms; (3) +houses of 1-1/2 or 2 stories; and (4) very small houses. Some of the +plans might have been placed in another group about as well as in that in +which they are shown. + + +ONE-STORY GROWING HOUSES + +There are many arguments in favor of the growing house for the farm. The +first unit can be erected at a moderate cost, yet the finished house may +have all the features considered important. As more space is needed the +owner often can build the additions himself, taking advantage of slack +times to cut lumber from his own land, haul sand and gravel for concrete, +and in other ways reduce the cost of the additions. The chief difficulty +with the growing house is that it is likely to grow very slowly. By the +time additions are made the house is considered old by its occupants, +and the additions are likely not to receive as careful attention as the +original house. + +The growing houses in this bulletin have been carefully planned so +that both the first units and the final structure are satisfactory in +usefulness and in appearance. The additions fit into the original units +with a minimum of ripping out and rearrangement. + + +PLAN 6511,[4] FOR THE SOUTHWEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 605 square feet; with + 1-bedroom addition 815 square feet; with 2-bedroom addition 960 square + feet. + +[Illustration: ORIGINAL HOUSE] + +This plan is for a permanent dwelling of frame, stucco, stone, adobe, +or other construction. If desired, the first unit may be built without +bedrooms, as shown, and the living room used for sleeping quarters until +the house is completed. The two large closets of this living room add +much to its value, and the arrangement with all doors at one end of the +room permits efficient use of the space. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +If the first unit is to be used for several years before the bedrooms are +added, the small bathroom with shower will be especially desirable. That +space must be used for other purposes, however, and the bathroom fixtures +moved when one or both bedrooms are added. + +An alternate kitchen arrangement suggested by the Bureau of Home +Economics for houses in which only an oil, gas, or electric stove is +needed and meals will usually be eaten in the living-dining room is shown +on page 9. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSES] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLANS] + +[4] Prepared by W. K. Bartges and Earl Barnett for the department of +agricultural engineering, University of California. + + +PLAN 6512,[5] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first stage 715 square feet; second stage + with one bedroom 1,085 square feet; third stage 1,515 square feet. + Porch, 250 square feet. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF ORIGINAL HOUSE] + +Plan 6512 is designed for southern conditions, to afford ample shade from +a glaring summer sun. The arrangement of rooms permits the building to +face toward the south, thus taking advantage of the summer breezes from +that direction. The glazed porch on the north side offers a cool spot for +summer meals, while the meals served during cold weather would naturally +be more enjoyable in front of a blazing fire at the west end of the +living room. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +The second stage of the house adds the center bedroom of the three shown +in the third stage. The partitions for the hall and the closets near the +south porch are not needed until the third stage. If at all possible, +the center bedroom should be built with the original unit to provide +more sleeping space; but if it is necessary to watch the budget closely, +the large living room or the glazed porch can be pressed into temporary +service as sleeping quarters. + + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN WITH ADDED BEDROOM] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN WITH TWO ADDED BEDROOMS] + +[5] Prepared by J. B. Atkinson and J. E. Hudson for the department of +agricultural engineering, Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. + + +PLAN 6513,[6] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 490 square feet; with first + addition 705 square feet; completed house 1,015 square feet. Porches, + first unit 25 square feet; with first addition 240 square feet. + +The first unit of house 6513 is modest, and yet provides complete kitchen +equipment, toilet facilities, a workroom or laundry, and g bedroom of +comfortable size. The first addition increases the living accommodations +and, with its front and rear porches, offers a cool retreat in hot +weather. The second addition provides two more bedrooms and an adjoining +bath, thus completing the six-room house. If desired, these two bedrooms +may be made larger than shown in the plans. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF INTERIOR] + +The interior view shows the compact arrangement of kitchen cabinets and +sink, and indicates the bright work area that is planned to lighten the +duties of the housewife. An alternate arrangement of the kitchen, with no +workroom, is shown on page 13. + +During the first two stages of development adequate space will be found +in the kitchen for dining; but when two bedrooms are added in the final +wing, the original bedroom (adjoining the kitchen) might be converted +into a dining room. On the other hand, if at times the entire house is +not needed by the family, the last wing of the house will make very +desirable rooms for renting to tourists or summer boarders, or may be +closed. + +In some parts of the South the fireplace will not provide sufficient +heat in cold weather, but a circulator heater may be set in front of the +fireplace and connected to the chimney through a metal shield. If the +plan is used in the North, a cellar may be constructed under the second +unit, with stairs leading down from the rear porch, which should be +enclosed. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLANS] + +[6] Prepared by W. H. Nash for the Bureaus of Agricultural Engineering +and Home Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6514,[7] FOR THE MIDDLE WEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house 670 square feet; with + addition 940 square feet. Cellar, 255 square feet. Porches, 120 square + feet. + +House 6514, with basement and furnace, is well adapted to northern or +mid-western conditions. The steps to the basement may be outside the +building as shown, or the washroom may be extended so as to include the +steps and provide greater protection during stormy weather. + +The original house, in order to come in the class of low-cost houses, +does not contain a bath. A pump at the kitchen sink provides water until +funds permit of the installation of a modern plumbing system. + +The first unit of the house may be heated either by a circulator heater +in the living room or by a furnace. The furnace will be especially +desirable after the second unit is added. + +The added bedroom wing is recessed from the main building line to permit +cross ventilation through the bedroom in the original house. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETE HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[7] Prepared by W. E. Pettit and Fred Riebel for the department of +agricultural engineering, Ohio State University. + + +PLAN 6515,[8] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 565 square feet; with first + addition 900 square feet; completed house 1,255 square feet. Porches, + 175 square feet. + +This begins as a three-room house but is planned so that eventually three +bedrooms and a bath may be added. The kitchen in the original house is +nicely arranged, as shown in the plan. When the house is completed, the +first bedroom may be used as a dining room, with a door cut through from +the kitchen. The range should then be placed against the living room +wall. The fireplace and range will heat the first three rooms. Hall space +for a circulator heater is provided in the first addition. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETE HOUSE] + +[8] Prepared by C. W. Heery, Fred J. Orr, and B. G. Danner for the +department of agricultural engineering, University of Georgia. + + +PLAN 6516,[9] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original unit 685 square feet; with + first addition 1,035 square feet; completed house 1,345 square feet. + Porches, original 90 square feet; completed house 155 square feet. + +The original unit of house 6516 is a two-room structure of ample size. +The dining room and kitchen are combined in one room, while the other +room is temporarily both bedroom and living room. A porch leading +directly into the kitchen affords entrance during the initial stage. In +the center of the first unit are an unusually large storage closet and a +chimney reminiscent of colonial Virginia. In localities where firewood is +not readily available the fireplace may be omitted and a stove used for +heating the bedroom. + +[Illustration: PLAN SHOWING FUTURE ADDITIONS] + +Additions to the house are indicated on both sides of the original; the +first addition undoubtedly would be that with the bedroom and bath. The +rear porch can be enclosed if needed, and will then serve for laundering +and other work that is more convenient not to do in the kitchen. The +second addition will complete the house with a living room and front +porch. + +The addition of the living room and front porch requires considerable +change in the arrangement of the kitchen to keep traffic from the back +door to the living room from passing directly in front of the range. It +will be best to set the range against the end wall, and preferably to +use an electric or oil range so that no new chimney will be required. +After the living room is added, less dining space will be needed in the +kitchen. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF ORIGINAL UNIT] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED UNIT] + +[9] Prepared by H. B. Boynton and J. M. Thompson for the department of +agricultural engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. + + +PLAN 6517,[10] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house 660 square feet; completed + house 1,025 square feet. Porches, 300 square feet. + +In plan 6517 a large amount of space is provided at low-cost by using +the cheapest type of construction and omitting the interior finish at +the time of building, for when a large family must be housed and funds +are limited space is often more desirable than good finish and ease of +heating. The exterior walls are of vertical boards and battens, and the +roof is of galvanized corrugated metal. The house may be improved at +any time by lining the walls and ceiling. The kitchen arrangement shows +a treatment recommended by home economists, the sink and worktable at +right angles to the wall, with shelves above them. This scheme has the +advantage of separating the working and dining areas, yet it does not +hamper easy communication between the rooms at meal hours. If desired, a +bed may be placed in the living room, yet the house is so arranged that +each sleeping room will have complete privacy. The side wall of the small +bedroom next to the kitchen is intended to be made of 1-inch boards with +battens on both sides. + +The addition of bedrooms with closets and a bathroom is suggested. +This addition will provide space for a circulator heater, which is a +convenience when no cellar is planned. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN AND COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[10] Prepared by the Bureaus of Agricultural Engineering and Home +Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6518[11] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first stage 835 square feet; with + addition 1,160 square feet. Porches, 120 square feet. + +Several novel features about this small dwelling will appeal to the +farm-home builder. A heater room on the main floor near the rear entrance +and the kitchen avoids the need for a cellar. A kitchen like this, with +three outside walls to give light and cross ventilation and a better view +of the farmstead and highway, is often desirable. The end of the living +room next the kitchen is narrowed to a dining alcove, and when more space +is needed the dining table may be extended into the living room. The +completed bungalow has three bedrooms, with ample closet space. The rear +porch will provide a comfortable, shady place to work outside during the +warm summer days. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +In the first stage of construction the two bedrooms at the rear may +be omitted. This would still leave one bedroom and the bathroom and +temporary closet space in the original bungalow. Then the two other +bedrooms can be added later, when funds become available, or a screened +and glazed sleeping porch with outside entrance could be built instead. A +porch off the living room could also be added. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[11] Prepared by L. J. Smith for the department of agricultural +engineering, State College of Washington. + + +PLAN 6519,[12] FOR THE SOUTHWEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house 775 square feet; with + addition 1,075 square feet. Porches, 160 square feet. + +The plans and perspectives on these pages show two methods of roofing +this house. In each plan the original unit of the house is complete, and +pleasing in appearance, and the additions fit the house gracefully with +very little tearing out or rearrangement. + +As in some other plans, the kitchen is designed for the use of an oil, +gas, or electric cookstove. The house may be heated by a circulator +hot-air heater, by a hot-water system with a radiator boiler in the +living room, or possibly by radiant gas or electric heaters in the +bedrooms. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +The type of design favors keeping the house close to the ground. If +floor-joist construction is used, the topsoil should be removed from +under the house so that joists will not come too close to the ground +surface. A concrete subfloor could be placed directly on the ground, +supporting wood sleepers and wood floors. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[12] Prepared by H. E. Wichers, O. S. Ekdahl, and N. F. Resch for the +department of architecture, Kansas State Agricultural College. + + +PLAN 6520[13] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 450 square feet; with first + addition 730 square feet; completed house 985 square feet. Porches, + 255 square feet. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +With their low-pitched roofs, and modest design both inside and out, +plans 6520 and 6521 represent very desirable types of farmhouses. +Such buildings blend with their surroundings to produce a real homey +atmosphere. Originally planned for southern conditions, where a +circulator heater placed in the hall should be adequate, these plans are +adapted to colder regions if the houses are well constructed and are +provided with basements and central heating plants as indicated on the +working drawings. + + +PLAN 6521[13] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 630 square feet; with first + addition 985 square feet; completed house 1,285 square feet. Porches, + 385 square feet. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +In both designs the development from two large rooms progresses +logically, the main difference being that in plan 6520 the additions are +made at the side, while in plan 6521 the new rooms are added at the rear +of the first unit. Although all the rooms of 6521 a r e shown as larger +than those of 6520, by slight alterations either size of house may be +built from either plan. The choice should be determined largely by the +slope of the building site. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +In each original house a temporary partition provides 2 bedrooms in place +of a living room. The first addition adds 2 other bedrooms, and the +removal of the partition between the temporary bedrooms provides a large +living room. The second addition increases the total number of bedrooms +to 3 by adding 2 and refitting 1 in the first addition as a bathroom. + +Each kitchen is ideally located to command a view of the driveway, +highway, and farm buildings. Closets, pantry, and other equipment utilize +the darker part of the room, leaving the lighter portions for working +area and dining table. These arrangements are complete in the original +house. + +On the screened back porch, which is equipped with laundry trays and +closet, men coming from the fields may hang their outside work garments +and, except in cold weather, wash before entering the house. Here a great +deal of the dirty and messy work in preparing fruits and vegetables for +canning may be done. Entrance from the screened porch to the bath or +bedrooms reduces to a minimum the traffic through the kitchen and living +room. In plan 6520 the screened porch might be divided by a lattice into +work and living spaces. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[13] Prepared by Eldred Mowery and C. E. Cope for the Bureaus of +Agricultural Engineering and Home Economics, U.S. Department of +Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6522[14] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house 640 square feet; with + addition _A_. 950 square feet; with addition _B_ 930 square feet. + Porch, addition _B_, 120 square feet. + +On account of its compact arrangement, this low-cost house furnishes a +very satisfactory amount of usable space for the small family and may be +enlarged to three-bedroom size, as indicated on the plans. The kitchen is +well-arranged, with moderate storage space, and a wood box filled from +outside, with a ventilated cupboard or cooler above it. The workroom, +unusually large for a small house, is a good place for laundry or canning +and for men to clean up before coming in to meals. Dining space is +provided at the rear of the living room. This house should be compared +with no. 6527 (p. 36). + +Board and batten construction is very suitable for a low-cost house, but +any other type of construction may be used for plan 6522 if preferred. +If the house is built in a cold climate, probably it will be desirable +to omit the fireplace and heat the living and bedrooms with a circulator +heater. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN WITH ADDITION A] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN WITH ADDITION D] + +[14] Prepared by the Bureaus of Agricultural Engineering and Home +Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6523,[15] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 990 square feet; with addition + _A_ 1,420 square feet; with addition _B_ 1,375 square feet. Cellar, + 350 square feet. Porches, 100 square feet. + +Communication between rooms is an important consideration in modern house +planning. This has been provided in house 6523 by a small hall, which +permits access not only from one room to another but also to the outside, +the basement stairs, the washroom, the bathroom, and the linen closet, +thus eliminating the necessity of using any room as a passageway. + +Alternate extensions are shown, the choice probably depending upon +the surrounding ground contour. Addition _B_ should receive first +consideration, because it brings the two new bedrooms into closer +relation with the bathroom and does not destroy the washroom adjoining +the rear entrance. It does, however, reduce the size of one of the first +bedrooms. + +If addition _A_ is contemplated, the window at _X_ should be located at +_Y_ when the first unit is built. The steps in the hall of addition A may +be omitted if the ground slopes down at the rear so that the floor of the +addition can be built at a lower level than the floor of the original +house. + +If addition _B_ is to be used, the window at _Z_ should be located so as +to come in the hall of the addition. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN WITH ADDITIONS] + +[15] Prepared by C. W. Heery and B. G. Banner for the department of +agricultural engineering, University of Georgia, + + +PLAN 6524[16] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 1,245 square feet; with + addition 1,735 square feet. Porches, 25 square feet. Cellar, 400 + square feet. + +The charm of house 6524 lies in its informality and simplicity. It is +built for comfort and service. The broad expanse of roof, relieved by a +gable, gives it a substantial yet homelike appearance. This is an easy +house to move around in, and the kitchen is very nicely arranged. The +screened porch, in addition to providing a cool and inviting summer +dining and work space, affords ready access to all the rooms of the +house. If the future addition of bedrooms is contemplated, the hall +window in the first unit should be replaced with a door. This will not +only provide an extra exit from the house but obviate unnecessary cutting +and tearing out when the addition is built. + +The cellar provides space for a central heating plant, it desired. + +[Illustration: VIEW COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF KITCHEN] + +[16] Prepared by C. W. Heery, Fred J. Orr and B. G. Banner for the +department agricultural engineering, University of Georgia. + + +PLAN 6525[17] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first unit 795 square feet; with bedroom + addition 1,080 square feet; with both additions 1,375 square feet. + Porches, 105 square feet. Cellar, 795 square feet. + +This simple farmhouse develops into a home of dignity and charm. The +original unit furnishes all modern conveniences and an ample basement. +Future bedrooms may be added as required, while the extended living room +might be built as the final touch of growing prosperity. + +It will be of interest to the reader to note the similarity of +arrangement of this house and no. 6519 (p. 20). These plans were +developed independently, but the coincidence emphasizes the +practicability of having the work and living areas on the side of the +building next to the driveway and the bedrooms toward the rear, with the +bathroom located as centrally as possible. The design of a small house +for farm use is greatly influenced by the rather fixed location of the +kitchen. + +[Illustration: MAIN FLOOR PLAN SHOWING FUTURE ADDITIONS] + +[Illustration: BASEMENT PLAN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF ORIGINAL UNIT] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETE HOUSE] + +[17] Prepared by H. B. Boynton and J. M. Thompson for the department of +agricultural engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. + + +MODERATE-SIZED ONE-STORY HOUSES + +Houses of this group can best be built complete at one time, though in +several cases it is noted that rooms may be omitted from the original +building or extra rooms added. The larger houses of this group provide +about the same features as the completed growing houses. The more compact +two-bedroom houses are well adapted to farms where two or more separate +dwellings are needed. + + +PLAN 6526,[18] FOR TIMBERED SECTIONS + + Floor areas; Superstructure, 845 square feet. Porches, 300 square feet. + +In spite of present-day improvements in building materials, there is +something about the rugged appearance of a log cabin that harmonizes with +rural settings. Log construction blends into wooded surroundings more +intimately than boards, bricks, or stucco. + +House 6526 will accommodate 4 persons comfortably, or even 5 or 6 persons +if a couch is placed in a corner of the living room. + +The location of the bathroom not only serves the bedrooms but is +convenient to the kitchen and the rear porch. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +The central chimney serves the kitchen range, circulator heater, and +fireplace. The ample size of the kitchen, and its built-in cupboards, +dish cabinets, and other conveniences add greatly to the desirability +of the design. If a pass cupboard between kitchen and living room is +desired, it may be arranged in the cabinet next to the outer wall. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[18] Prepared by N. G. Napier for the department of agricultural +engineering, University of Arkansas. + + +PLAN 6527[19] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, main house, 915 square feet; with storage + addition 1,120 square feet. Cellar, 115 square feet. Porches, 130 + square feet. + +This house is similar in many respects to the first unit of 6522 (p. 26), +but is enlarged to provide for the bathroom. A shallow root cellar with +room above is added at the rear of the house to provide extra storage if +needed in localities where a cellar is not practicable. As in the case of +plan 6522, two more bedrooms may be added to the left side of the house +by taking space from the rear bedroom for a hallway. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +The house is planned to be heated by a jacketed heater in the workroom +with a cold-air return duct under the floor and cold-air registers in the +living room and bedrooms. This arrangement will keep all handling of coal +and ashes out of the living parts of the house. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[19] Prepared by O. R. S. Trabor for the department of agricultural +engineering, University of Missouri. + + +PLAN 6528,[20] FOR THE NORTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 800 square feet. Cellar, 800 square feet. + +House 6528 is intended for use in cold, snowy regions, where farmers need +cellars for storing fuel and vegetables. The hip roof helps to brace the +house against the wind and is economical of material. A well-insulated +ceiling is recommended to help keep the house comfortable. The +substantial chimney in the center of the house, with separate flues for +furnace, kitchen range, and fireplace, insures good draft and no wasted +heat. The vestibule at the front and the hall arrangement at the side +door also aid in keeping the house warm. Both doors are convenient to the +driveway and the path to the barn. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +The washroom and laundry of this house are in the cellar. This is a +satisfactory and economical arrangement where there is good drainage +for both the cellar and the plumbing fixtures, and is particularly +advantageous on rolling ground. But one should beware of putting a deep +cellar in a poorly drained location. (See Farmers' Bulletin 1572, Making +Cellars Dry.) + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[20] Prepared by S. A. Witzel for the department of agricultural +engineering, University of Wisconsin. + + +PLAN 6529[21] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 740 square feet. Porches, 250 square feet. + +This house was designed to meet the needs of a family of 4 to 6 people. +The porch faces the highway, and paths from the front and side porches +lead to the farm drive. + +The kitchen is complete and compact. The extra space found in many farm +kitchens has been omitted and a workroom added to provide for laundry and +other rough work. This also provides a place for men to leave their outer +wraps and wash before entering the living room. Storage space can be +obtained in the attic by the use of a disappearing stair in the workroom +ceiling. + +No wood or coal range is provided for in this plan, because the +use of an oil, gas, or electric stove saves space in the kitchen +and correspondingly reduces the cost of the house. This saving and +the convenience of a small, compact cooking unit deserve careful +consideration in localities where these fuels are cheaply available. +Heating is accomplished by means of a circulator heater in the living +room. + +The designer of this plan states: + + The bedrooms are small. They are little used during waking hours, thus + they can be reduced with less injury to family comfort than any other + room. The large living room more than compensates for this. + + When funds are limited it is always debatable, in a great portion of + the United States, whether spending money for a porch is wise, because + the same money could be used instead to increase the area of the house + proper. In this particular case the porch could be left off without + harm. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOME AND FLOOR PLAN] + +[21] Prepared by H. E. Wichers and O. S. Ekdahl for the department of +architecture, Kansas State Agricultural College. + + +PLAN 6530[22] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1,155 square feet. Porches, 245 square + feet. + +The well-known economy of square house construction is illustrated by +this plan. A choice of heating methods without a cellar is indicated. If +a circulator heater is used in the hall, as shown, the chimney between +the bedrooms will not be needed, and if extra bedrooms are wanted they +may be added as in plan 6517 (p. 18). A fireplace in the back bedroom +would, of course, interfere with taking a hall off this room. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +Kitchen doors are located to permit easy communication between the +screened porch and the hall without interference with the work area +while the screened porch is useful as both work and dining area. This +latter feature, together with the ample size of the bedrooms, living room +kitchen, makes the dwelling especially suitable for the small family in +the South. The addition of a cellar under one-half of the house and of +a central heating plant would adapt this plan to other sections of the +country, though the rooms are rather larger than is common in the North. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOME] + +[22] Prepared by W. C. Breithaupt and H. W. Dearing for the department of +agricultural engineering, Alabama Polytechnic Institute. + + +PLAN 6531[23] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1,185 square feet. Porches, 155 square + feet. + +House 6531 should be compared with no. 6533. The two plans were developed +independently, but are very similar and illustrate a logical grouping of +rooms for a farmhouse. In some respects the arrangement of 6531 works +out more satisfactorily because it is not restricted by the structural +details of framing a pitched roof. + +This house is a model of compactness and efficiency. Note the simple but +effective way in which the kitchen and heater room are located back to +back. The floor of the heater room is a concrete slab, two steps below +the main floor level. A pass cupboard between the kitchen and dining room +is handy for serving meals. It also provides storage space beneath its +counter. The entire bedroom side may be omitted from the original house, +in which case the workroom would serve for dining and the dining room for +a bedroom. + +All dimensions of this house are multiples of 3-1/2 feet. Wall, door, and +window sections might be prefabricated so that erection would consist +merely of bolting the sections together, or the house can be built in the +ordinary way. The sketch at the top of page 41 illustrates the use of +sheet metal as an exterior covering, the one in the center shows concrete +blocks, and the bottom view shows the walls covered with a combination of +lap siding and shingles or wide boards. + +The flat roof should be covered with good roofing and well-insulated for +comfort in both summer and winter as described in the working drawings. +The cost of the insulated flat roof should not be greater than that of an +ordinary pitched roof without insulation. The accumulation of snow will +help to keep the building warm. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOME] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOME] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOME] + +[23] Prepared by Albert Frey for the Bureaus of Agricultural Engineering +and Home Economies, U.S. Department of Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6532[24] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1,125 square feet Porches, 35 square feet. + +This is a new type of low-cost house designed to provide five small +single bedrooms or sleeping compartments and one bedroom of average size. +The sleeping compartments are not very large, but to secure privacy and +yet maintain economy of construction, something must be sacrificed. In +this case it is unnecessary space. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOME AND FLOOR PLAN] + +The sketch showing the arrangement of bunks illustrates an interesting +feature of this house. In the right-hand room the bunk is near the floor, +and wardrobe and dresser space is obtained in the partition between the +two rooms. In the left-hand room the bunk is 4 feet above the floor and +projects over the one on the other side of the partition. Wardrobe space +is arranged under the bunk. This room is especially suitable for a boy. +A folding study table is provided under the window in each room. On warm +nights air circulation would be obtained by opening the bedroom doors to +the hall, which is ventilated by the windows above the lower roof. By +omitting all but one of the partitions forming the five small bedrooms +two good-sized rooms can be obtained. + +[Illustration: CROSS SECTION OF BEDROOMS AND WARDROBE AT B-B] + +[Illustration: SIDE VIEW OF BUNK AT A-A] + +The exterior appearance may seem, at first glance, unusually severe, +but by omitting a pitched roof and the ornamental features of cornice +moldings and trim decorations, the cost of construction is materially +lowered. Here everything has been reduced to the simplest form possible. + +With the heater room adjoining the kitchen, there is little need for a +basement, thus an important item of expense is eliminated. The kitchen +and workroom form a compact and very convenient unit along the driveway +side of the house, while the large living room commands a good view of +the highway. The living room and halls are lighted and ventilated by the +small windows above the lower roofs. Closet space is provided in every +room. + +As in plan 6531 (p. 40), all dimensions are multiples of 3-1/2 feet so +that the house can be either prefabricated or built in the ordinary way. + +[24] Prepared by Albert Frey and R. G. Allen for the Bureaus of +Agricultural Engineering and Home Economics, U.S. Department of +Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6533[25] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1,130 square feet. Porch, 80 square feet. + Cellar, 280 square feet. + +House 6533 is one of the few designs in which a separate dining space was +allotted. Many people do not consider a separate dining room essential in +the small farmhouse, and additional space adds to the cost, but in this +case the arrangement adds to the spaciousness of the interior without +greatly increasing the cost. + +The rear entry is large enough to serve as laundry and washroom, and +constitutes a back way from the kitchen to the bedrooms and bathroom +without passing through the living room. + +The kitchen, with cross ventilation and ample cupboard and counter space, +is a pleasant workshop for the housewife, and is so arranged that easy +service to the dining alcove is possible. + +The bedrooms and adjoining bath are grouped together, allowing that +portion of the house to be closed off from the living portion. + +In the cellar is the heating plant, with fuel bin. + +The house is kept low to give it an appearance of hugging the ground, but +in no case should the joists be below the ground level. Shingles, beveled +siding, or clapboards may be used for the exterior surface. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[25] Prepared by Max Uhlig for the department of agricultural +engineering, Massachusetts Agricultural College. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + + * * * * * + + +HOUSES OF MORE THAN ONE STORY + +In many respects houses of more than one story are better suited for +farm use in the Northern States than single-story buildings. They are +more economical in foundation and roof construction, and are easier to +heat. They should be arranged with one bedroom and a bath, or at least +a toilet, on the ground floor. A cellar for fuel and vegetable storage +and a central heating plant are usually needed with this type of house. +The laundry may also be located in the cellar if suitable drainage and +a grade door to the outside can be obtained, but in a poorly drained +location it is best to keep the laundry above-ground. In building a +cellar advantage should be taken of the slope of the ground to obtain +good lighting and an easy entrance on the low side of the slope. + +To avoid uncomfortably warm second-floor bedrooms in summer cross +ventilation should be provided in each room. Insulation of the ceiling is +valuable both in summer and in winter. + +It is very convenient to have a bathroom on the second-floor as well as +one on the first-floor, especially if rooms are to be rented to tourists +when the family does not need the whole house. + + +PLAN 6534[26] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house, 1,420 square feet; with + living room addition, 1,720 square feet. Cellar, 775 square feet. + Porches, 285 square feet. + +[Illustration: MAIN FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +The first-floor and cellar plans of house 6534 are almost the same as the +original unit of no. 6525 (p. 32), but there are comfortable bedrooms, +a bath, and closet space on the second-floor. If funds are available to +build the living room wing indicated, the entire dwelling will breathe +the traditional southern spirit of hospitable spaciousness. + +The hall and stair arrangements of this house are very good. Persons +coming in at the back door can leave wraps in the vestibule at the head +of the cellar stairs and go directly to any downstairs room or to the +cellar, yet there is little lost space. + +If the house should at some time be occupied by a small family, the +entire upstairs could be shut off. Persons wishing rooms for tourists +will find either the upstairs bedrooms or the downstairs bedroom and bath +very suitable for this purpose. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF ORIGINAL UNIT] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[26] Prepared by H. B. Boynton and J. M. Thompson for the department of +agricultural engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. + + +PLAN 6535[27] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 820 square feet. Porch, 30 square feet. + +This might well be considered the smallest story-and-a-half farmhouse +that could be practicably built. The designer has utilized the space to +good advantage, omitting a bath in the original structure for the sake of +economy. The working drawings show a future addition to the house which +provides a bedroom and bath on the first-floor. The alternate floor plan +shows a dormer in the rear like the one on the front, to make room for a +second-floor bath. + +A distinctive feature of this compact design is the =L=-shaped +kitchen with its well-grouped and well-lighted working surfaces and +dining table. The arrangement of an =L=-shaped room is often a +problem when enlarging or remodeling. The living room is arranged for +both day and night use, with a folding bed in a closet. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: ALTERNATE FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: ALTERNATE SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +[27] Prepared by C. T Bridgman for the department of agricultural +engineering, Iowa State College. + + +PLAN 6536,[28] FOR THE NORTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1560 square feet. Cellar, 400 square + feet. Porch, 210 square feet. + +This design illustrates a type of farmhouse frequently built in recent +years because of its simple lines and economy of construction. It +illustrates the pleasing possibility of fitting the farmhouse to sloping +ground, with ample light in the basement and easy flights of steps +between the house proper, the large workroom at the rear, and the cellar. + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +The partition between the main rooms downstairs is carried up to divide +the second-floor, giving these bedrooms ample size and good cross +ventilation and making a strong construction that will not sag in years +to come. A second bathroom may be provided in the storage space by the +chimney, thus adding to the comfort of the home and making the upstairs +rooms suitable for rental to tourists if desired. The roof should be +insulated to give comfort both in summer and in winter. + +[Illustration: INTERIOR VIEW OF KITCHEN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +The downstairs hall, lighted by the windows on the stairs, is compact +and provides easy communication between all rooms. The living room is +well-lighted and has good wall spaces for furniture. The combined kitchen +and dining room, with the sink at right angles to the outside wall, as +shown in the interior view, gives the housewife three walls of continuous +work surfaces and in addition light and the view from all the windows of +the room. Children can play or older members visit in the dining end with +slight interference to the housewife's work. This is especially helpful +on chilly days in the fall and spring when the kitchen stove provides the +only heat in the house. + +The part basement furnishes space for a furnace and for storage of fruits +and vegetables. + +[28] Prepared by C. J. Poiesz and Eldred Mowery for the Bureaus of +Agricultural Engineering and Home Economics, U.S. Department of +Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6537[29] + + Floor areas: Superstructure (including enclosed porch) 1,520 square + feet. Cellar, 840 square feet. Terrace and steps, 100 square feet. + +House 6537 is similar in many respects to no. 6536, and has much the same +advantages, though the rooms are somewhat smaller. A second downstairs +bedroom can be added beside the bathroom, if needed, or the two bedrooms +on the second-floor can be left unfinished if funds are not on hand to +complete the building in the beginning. + +The sketch indicates the roof line sweeping down snug over the window +of the first-floor bedroom, a feature which is carried out with similar +success in plan 6538. Designs of this type help to keep a two-story +home from appearing too tall and make it a more harmonious unit in the +farmstead scheme. + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +[29] Prepared by T. A. Zink for the department of agricultural +engineering, Purdue University. + + +PLAN 6538[30] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1,740 square feet. Cellar, 385 square + feet. Stoops, 80 square feet. + +House 6538 may be roofed in a number of ways, with slight alterations +in the arrangement of the second-floor. The appearance is, of course, +greatly altered; but in each case is pleasing. With the modernistic +flat roof, any waste spaces caused by the sloping roofs in the other +designs are eliminated. The storage room on the second-floor then becomes +suitable for a child's bedroom, a sewing room, or an office, and the +flat-deck porch roof will serve as a sleeping porch. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +The plan is simple and well proportioned. Since the arrangement of the +entrance is a little unusual, the location of the driveway and the path +to the barn should be given careful study before deciding upon the site +and placing of the house. + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSES] + +Construction should be simple. In the case of the modernistic house, +concrete or stucco is suggested for the first story and boards and +battens for the second. + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +[30] Prepared by W. K. Bartges and Earl Barnett for the department of +agricultural engineering. University of California.. + + +PLAN 6539,[31] FOR THE NORTH + +[Illustration: VIEW OF FIRST STAGE] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house, 1,100 square feet; with + kitchen addition, 1,270 square feet; with all additions shown, 1,620 + square feet. Porches, original house, 90 square feet; completed house, + 285 square feet. Cellar, 565 square feet. + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +Thousands of farmhouses in all parts of the North and Middle West have +begun like house 6539, and the development illustrated for this one +should offer helpful suggestions both to farmers who plan to build new +and those who expect to remodel present houses. It is a very practical +design, expressing honest dignity. + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +The plans on this page show the original unit, which would supply a +comfortable yet economical dwelling, with a basement for fuel and +storage. The first addition might be either the new 7 kitchen and porch +or the downstairs bedroom, bath, and laundry. If needed, a third upstairs +bedroom and a bathroom can be added over those in the first-floor +addition, as shown in the working drawings, with little loss of material +or work, because the downstairs bedroom has a flat-deck roof. This would +increase the floor area of the superstructure to 1,900 square feet. + +[Illustration: VIEW OF COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN WITH ADDITIONS] + +[31] Prepared by J. M. Deibert for the Bureaus of Agricultural +Engineering and Home Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture. + + +PLAN 6540[32] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 1,380 square feet. Porch, 70 square feet. + Cellar, 760 square feet. + +This plan is intended for use in the North, where the compact floor plan +with cellar and inside chimney and the front vestibule will simplify +the heating problem. The first-floor level is above the ordinary +height of packed snow in winter, but the grade entrance gives easy +communication with both the cellar and the main part of the house. This +permits convenient use of the cellar as a washroom and laundry, if in a +well-drained location, as well as for storage purposes. + +The house is roomy and well-arranged, with a downstairs bedroom and +bathroom. By a slight change to make the second-floor like the first, a +bathroom or toilet could be arranged in the large closet by the stairs. +Storage space is provided in the attic. + +All second-floor partitions are directly above those of the first floor, +thus making a strong, rigid house with the least framing material. + +[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: SECOND FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[32] Prepared by H. W. Orth and R. A. Gmeinder for the division of +agricultural engineering, University of Minnesota. + + +VERY SMALL HOUSES + +The dimensions of the houses in the very-small-house group are kept to +the minimum by using the living rooms for sleeping rooms at night. These +houses cannot be considered adequate for the typical farm family, but +will serve for young married couples or for tenants with small families. + + +PLAN 6501[33] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 325 square feet. Stoop, 15 square feet. + +In plan 6501, sleeping space is provided in double-deck beds screened +from the living room by draw curtains. If more space is wanted later, a +bedroom wing can be added at the end of the living room. To save space, +the kitchen is planned for an oil, gas, or electric stove. With a house +of this size, part of the housework would have to be done outdoors, +and a paved or graveled space under a tree near the house would be a +convenience. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[33] Prepared by H. E. Wichers, N. F. Resell, and O. S. Ekdahl, for +Kansas State College. + + +PLAN 6502[34] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 600 square feet. Stoop, 35 square feet. + +The special feature of plan 6502 is the well-arranged kitchen, with good +storage space and a compact work area at one side of the direct line +of travel from the back door. Some privacy at night is afforded by the +double wardrobes and folding screen between the two beds in the living +room. The side porch will serve the double purpose of workroom and +sleeping porch. It should be screened and have curtains to keep out the +rain. By adding 4 feet to the living room and an additional partition, a +third room could be provided. A shower bath may be installed in the large +closet as shown. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[34] Prepared by A. L. Matthews and N. G. Napier for the department of +agricultural engineering, University of Arkansas, + + +PLAN 6503[35] + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house 520 square feet; with + addition, 825 square feet. + +Small homes are often cut up into several rooms, with the result that in +them a person has a "boxed-in" feeling. In plan 6503 the rooms are few, +and each is used for more than one purpose. If the cost must be kept to +a minimum, the bedroom and sleeping porch may be omitted in the original +construction. The kitchen-dining room is unusually large for a house of +this size, and the equipment is grouped in the front part of the room +where the housewife can have a good view of the highway. + +When the bedroom and sleeping porch are built, the bunk in the +kitchen-dining room may be taken out to provide more dining space; or +if one desires a cellar under part of the house, the cellar stairway +may replace the bunk space. A large window and high-beamed ceiling are +features of the living room. The chimney must not be too small; it is a +feature of the house. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[35] Prepared by R. A. Deal and W. W. DeNeff for the department of +agricultural engineering, State College of Washington. + + +PLAN 6504,[36] FOR THE SOUTHWEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 430 square feet. Porches, 145 square feet. + +Plans 6504 and 6505 were designed for the central valleys of California, +where outdoor sleeping is invited, by the mild nights. + +These were designed for temporary homes to be used later as shops, bunk +houses, storage buildings, or for other uses, so concrete floors are +recommended. Low-cost "frameless" construction is shown in the working +drawings. There are no ceilings. The shower baths shown in the plans can +be installed cheaply. + +The kitchens and work porches are large enough for the needs of a +good-sized family. Plenty of windows are provided for ventilation. The +kitchen arrangement shows a wood-burning stove, and a large refrigerator +placed against an inside wall for protection from the outdoor heat. It is +expected that meals will ordinarily be eaten in the kitchen or outdoors. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + + +PLAN 6505,[36] FOR THE SOUTHWEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 410 square feet. Porches, 125 square feet. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[36] Prepared by W. K. Bartges and Earl Barnett for the department of +agricultural engineering, University of California. + + +PLAN 6506,[37] FOR NEW ENGLAND + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 540 square feet. Porches, 60 square feet. + +Though the rooms in plan 6506 have been kept as small as possible in +order to reduce cost, good use of space is realized in the arrangement. +Additions to the house would enable it to accommodate an average-sized +family. + +A work-porch addition beside the kitchen and living room, between the +windows, would provide a place for laundry work and for hanging outer +wraps. A bathroom might be built by enclosing a portion of the front +porch and enlarging the window to make a doorway from the hall. If +desired, a third bedroom could be added at the end of the living room. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[37] Prepared by Bernhard Dirks for the department of agricultural +engineering, Massachusetts State College. + + +PLAN 6507,[38] FOR THE NORTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, original house, 380 square feet; with + first addition 600 square feet. Porches and entrances, 50 square feet. + Cellar, first unit 380 square feet; with addition 600 square feet. + +Plan 6507 is intended for snowy sections, and the first-floor is +purposely raised above the winter snow level. The house can be built in +either one or two stages. + +No partition divides the kitchen and living room, which permits +heating the house with the kitchen range in mild weather. It also aids +ventilation in summer and facilitates serving of meals in the living room. + +The steps to the cellar are outside the house, protected by a storm door. +There is ample space in the cellar for laundry and storage. A cistern +under the kitchen provides soft water. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN AND COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[38] Prepared by S. A. Witzel for the department of agricultural +engineering, University of Wisconsin. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + + +PLAN 6508,[39] FOR THE NORTHWEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, first stage 385 square feet; second stage + 605 square feet; third stage 755 square feet. Porches and steps, first + stage 20 square feet; second and third stages 70 square feet. + +This house is designed for the minimum requirements of beginners on the +land, the first portion being 16 by 24 feet outside. It may either be +enlarged for a permanent dwelling or later used as a service building. +The bedroom is ample in size, but the living room, because it must also +be used temporarily as a kitchen and dining room, will be crowded. This +unit may be made 18 feet instead of 16 feet wide. Later the kitchen and +a small bedroom may be added at the rear of the first unit, with a side +porch off the kitchen. The door between the kitchen and living room will +then be changed to the right of the chimney, and a narrow hall taken off +the rear of the front bedroom. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +If an additional bedroom is desired, it can be added to the left of +the bathroom, making the third stage for this house. The closet in the +kitchen should be removed and a door cut through to allow easy access +from the kitchen to the bath and bedrooms. The bedroom closets must be +rearranged to allow for these changes. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +[39] Prepared by R. A. Deal and W. W. DeNeff for the department of +agricultural engineering, State College of Washington. + + +PLAN 6509,[40] FOR THE SOUTH + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 525 square feet. Porches and steps, 90 + square feet. + +[Illustration: COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN] + +Plans 6509 and 6510, for the South and the Middle West, respectively, are +low-cost houses for families that need only one bedroom. The kitchens are +well-arranged and have good storage space. Closet space also is ample for +houses of this size. + +A storage and workroom, as shown in plan 6510, is a good feature for +the North but is not so much needed in the South, where mild weather +permits doing much housework outdoors. The living room fireplace and +kitchen range should heat house 6509 comfortably under ordinary southern +conditions, but in the North arrangements should be made for a stove or +circulator heater as in plan 6510. + +[40] Prepared by W. C. Breithaupt and H. W. Dearing for the department of +agricultural engineering, Alabama Polytechnic Institute. + + +PLAN 6510,[41] FOR THE MIDDLE WEST + + Floor areas: Superstructure, 740 square feet. Porches and steps, 60 + square feet. + +[Illustration: FLOOR PLAN AND COMPLETED HOUSE] + +[41] Prepared by H. J. McKee and Arthur Wupper for the department of +agricultural engineering, University of Illinois. + + + * * * * * + + +U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1934 + + + +For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. + + + +Price 10 cents + + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber Notes + + +All illustration were move so that paragraphs were not split. All plan +footnotes were moved to the end of that plan. All plan illustrations were +captioned and standardized to ALL CAPS. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 1738: +Farmhouse Plans, by Wallace Ashby + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59599 *** |