After 50 years, enthusiasm is on the rise again for A-frame homes, says Adrienne Gaffney of The Wall Street Journal.
The A-frame structural style – which feature a steep, pitched roof that extends down or almost down to the foundation – had gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s as an “off-beat” second home option for the post-war middle class. By the 1970s, enthusiasm for this home style waned as more generic vacation homes became popular.
Today, existing A-frames have a newfound cachet. Architectural nostalgia has revitalized the public’s appreciation for them and the tiny-home movement has led many to prioritize efficient use of space.
“Somebody looking for one of these now is after something that is a bit more playful, that evokes the postwar ideas of design, and fits in with attitudes about living more modestly, even if the land that they’re on is quite expensive,” says Chad Randl, author of the 2004 book “A-frame” and a visiting professor of architecture at University of Oregon.
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