Modern Suburban Houses: Aesthetic Critique and Construction Methods
Why Are Modern Suburban Houses So Ugly?
It is a common perception that modern suburban houses are often criticized for their unattractive appearance and poor construction. However, the critique of modern suburban houses is often driven by the market and the developers' choices. People buy what is available, and in small towns, developers tend to make unconventional choices, resulting in houses that might seem more like a scene from a far-out painting than a typical suburban home.
Developers in small towns often attempt to add a touch of elegance to their designs, but this often leads to an unintentionally kitschy result. Numerous design elements—such as different types of brick, bright orange cedar pillars, and vinyl siding—get thrown onto the front of the house in an effort to make it look fancy. However, this excessive use of design elements can result in a visual chaos that is neither appealing nor practical.
Subjective Perception of Ugliness
Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, and the term 'ugly' is highly subjective. It is important for real estate professionals to recognize that their personal biases must not influence the objective assessment of a property. In the modern real estate market, speed of construction and quality are often conflated, but it is necessary to dispel the notion that faster construction equates to lower quality.
Construction in the 21st century is highly specialized, with different crews trained to handle specific tasks. From foundation work to framing, siding, roofing, and installation of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, each task is performed with precision. Modern tools and techniques have significantly increased construction efficiency, making it possible to build homes much faster than in the past. For instance, using nail guns instead of manual nail driving has greatly speeded up the construction process. Houses that would have taken weeks or months to build in the past can now be completed in just days.
Impact of Mass Production on Design and Construction
Not all modern suburban houses are ugly, but those that are can largely be attributed to the mass production process. Developers prioritize profit maximization and cost minimization, which often leads to the use of standard designs and materials. This approach facilitates efficient and affordable construction, as it reduces the need for unique designs and individual construction for each unit. Developing a uniform set of designs allows for easier and faster construction, which in turn can lead to higher profits.
To achieve these goals, developers typically choose between two, three, or five different variations of the same basic design. The cost of designing and building unique houses can be substantial, especially if the materials and installation processes are not standard. Therefore, common materials and easier-to-assemble designs are favored, as they save time and money, allowing more profit to be recuperated at the time of sale. Unique, one-of-a-kind designs featured in magazines and television shows are typically more expensive and often not found in mass-produced subdivisions.
Understanding the impact of mass production and the construction methods used in modern suburban houses can help us better appreciate the trade-offs between aesthetics and practicality. Speed and efficiency do not necessarily come at the cost of quality, and customization can still be achieved within certain constraints. Recognizing these factors can lead to a more nuanced understanding of modern suburban housing and encourage more transparent communication between developers, builders, and homebuyers.