The Chicago bungalow has played a defining role in the history of many Chicago neighborhoods. Between 1900 and 1940, this middleclass home, with its solid exterior and comparatively spacious rooms, served developing communities as Chicago spread out from its industrial and commercial core. More than 80,000 bungalows were built. Often entire blocks were developed in the Chicago bungalow style, and they continue to stand—housing current residents while connecting communities to their past.

The Chicago bungalow has been defined as a blend of the Prairie School architectural style, developed in the work of Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Arts and Crafts movement. Like Prairie School homes, the Chicago bungalow has low pitched roofs, wide eave overhangs, long horizontal lines, massive masonry supports, and earth-toned or contrasting colors.The Arts and Crafts movement promoted homes as private and individualized retreats from the hectic pace of city life. Following this principle, each bungalow has unique features that personalize the residence.As a result, one can look at a block of Chicago bungalows and quickly see both the common features and the individual differences between them.

Full Article (PDF)