Contrast of the Modern American and British House

Contrast of the Modern American and British House

Modern American and British houses may appear similar from the outside,

just as an American may appear similar to an Englishman. One cannot judge

a house by its façade, however, and beneath the surface, two altogether

different design paradigms exist. The American house is a sprawling

retreat that is designed for comfortable living. Compact and efficient,

the British house embodies a conservative lifestyle. The two also differ

in the amenities they offer. The modern American house overflows with

built-in features; the modern British house is sparse in comparison.

They are even constructed with dissimilar materials and techniques.

Although modern American and British houses can appear similar, they

differ significantly in the amenities they offer, their size, and in the

way they are constructed.

The modern British house typically has fewer amenities than that of its

American counterpart. In the bedroom, walk-in closets organize the

American's ensemble and accommodate his shoe collection. Conversely, the

Englishman uses a pine wardrobe, possibly a family heirloom, which moves

with him from home to home. In the American bathroom, a shower is a

standard feature that is quite uncommon in the British home. When one is

installed, the British shower is a point of significant difference as

well. The pressurized American shower is powerful, and leaves one with a

feeling of invigoration. The gravity fed British shower, however, is

hardly capable of developing enough power to leave one with a feeling of

satisfaction. In the modern American kitchen, one is certain to find a

dishwasher. In the British kitchen, a dishwasher is the exception, not

the rule. Americans also consider most kitchen appliances to be a part of

the house. The Englishman holds a different view. It is not unusual for

him to take the stove, refrigerator, or even the kitchen cupboards when

moving to a new home. The modern British house lacks many amenities that

Americans consider basic. It also offers less living space than the modern

American house.

The grand American house is designed for comfort, whereas the

conservative British house is designed for efficiency. These contrasting

design approaches yield houses that differ immensely in the amount of

living space they offer. American houses have "mud" rooms, laundry rooms,

dining rooms, formal living rooms, and family rooms. British houses

converge and integrate these functional areas into their common rooms.

The hall, or the "reception," is the "mud room." The kitchen is the

laundry room and the dining area.