Supplementary texts House

House is a building that provides shelter, comfort, and protection. Houses vary in size from one-roomed mud huts to many-roomed mansions. They may have only one storey (floor), or several storeys. They stand in cities, towns, and villages, and in both suburban areas and the country. Types of houses vary with the needs and wealth of the inhabitants, and with the building materials that are available. Many large buildings are divided into flats, or apartment. Each flat is a complete, self-contained home on one storey. Houses may also be divided into self-contained maisonettes, each occupying two or more storeys.

Styles of houses vary widely from country to country. And, in many countries, the style of new houses has changed with passing time. Many house styles are named after the country or period of their origin. Others are named after the architects who created them. European historical styles include Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo. Architects who founded styles used for houses include the Italian Andrea Palladio and the Adam brothers of Britain.

The factors that influence the size and design of houses include climate, social customs, building techniques and materials, fashion, and wealth. Religious beliefs also influence style. For example, houses in some countries of eastern Asia have roofs that curve upwards at the eaves. The people believe that these roofs protect them from evil spirits. Other house styles are a result of social conditions. For example, in Britain during the early 1800’s, many wealthy people and the nobility commissioned the best architects to design their homes. They built fine, graceful houses suited to a leisurely life requiring large domestic staffs. But, today, most new houses are easy to maintain and comfortable for small families.

Local styles of houses are now less common than in earlier times. House styles have become more uniform in most parts of the world, because of new building materials and methods. A factory may produce prefabricated parts for houses to be erected quickly on site, instead of being built in stages.

Environment

Environment has an important effect on the houses that people build. In areas of great heat or cold, houses must be built to protect people from extreme temperatures. The traditional houses of the Eskimo people of the Arctic were built of blocks of snow. These snowhouses, called igloos, provided excellent insulation against the very low temperatures outside. In the extreme heat of the deserts of the Middle East, nomadic people called Bedouins lived in large tents made of fabric woven from the hair of their camels or goats. The thick material protected the people from the sun but could be opened at the sides so that air could circulate. Since the mid-1900’s both of these traditional styles of house have been replaced by housing built of more modern materials.

In Japan, houses were traditionally made from light materials, such as paper and bamboo. These paper houses collapse harmlessly if there is a volcanic eruption or an earthquake. Then the people can quickly and cheaply rebuild them. The stilt houses of Southeast Asia are also well adapted to their environment. People build these houses on tall poles in areas where floods might wash away ordinary houses, or where insect pests might invade them.

In alpine regions, where much snow falls, houses have steeply sloping roofs. As a result, the snow falls off easily. Sloping roofs are also needed in places where heavy seasonal rains fall. But, in hot, dry countries many houses are box-like, with flat roofs. The houses remain cool in the intense heat because the shuttered windows are small and the thick walls are painted white to reflect the sunlight.

In towns and cities, land is expensive, and much housing must occupy a small area. As a result, builders may construct tall blocks of flats or long, continuous rows of terraced houses. But, in the country, more land is available and detached houses and single-storey bungalows stand in their own large gardens or grounds. The suburbs of many British cities have semi-detached houses, each of which is linked to a similar house.