Single Level Living

Ranch-style homes eliminate the ups and downs of everyday life.

- Michael Grant

The humble ranch is making a comeback. The uni-level design, introduced by California architect Clifford May just after World War II, quickly became the go-to style of the 1950s. It was partly due to the backlash against the boxy houses of the day, but for the most part, the layout just made sense, especially for the warmer climates of the Southwest U.S.

The ranch’s 21st century rebirth is happening for a variety of reasons, albeit with some push back. Over the past few decades we’ve grown to love our two, three or even four stories of space to accommodate everything from exercise rooms, music studios, media rooms, man caves, fem lounges, elite kitchens, home offices, butler pantries, in-law suites and, of course, storage. And we’re not just talking closets, but specialty storage for seasonal decorations and dishware as well as small appliance pantries, separate food pantries, wine cellars, trophy rooms and safe rooms. All of which take up space; all of which could be accommodated in a smaller footprint when you stack the rooms on top of each other. What land developers realized is that you can build a lot more square footage on a smaller piece of property, increasing density while reducing raw land and infrastructure costs in the process. Thus, the McMansion was created, and Americans haveresisted giving it up.

That is, until now.