During the Second World War building construction ceased.  When architects and building designers started to look at the needs of post war America they turned to new materials and eco environmental designs and started to leave behind the old established house styles. This period started with the Minimal and moved to the Ranch, Contemporary and Shed styles ​ere to edit.
Picture
Minimal 1935-50
The Minimal style of architecture incorporates influences from earlier styles such as American Colonial, Colonial Revival, Spanish Revival, Tudor Revival, and American Craftsman while adhering to modern architecture's avoidance of ornament.
Also known as FHA house, Depression-Era cottage, Victory Cottage, and American Small House
 
Where: Everywhere
​
Typical features
  • Materials  - a mixture of wood, brick or stone 
  • Low pitch roof with minimal overhang
  • Side gable with front facing cross gable  
  • Exterior walls wood,  brick  or stone or mix of all three 
  • One storey buildings sometimes with attic 
  • Simplicity in form and function
  • Little detailing no exterior decoration
  • Shutters on windows
  • Front door under the front cross gable
  • Open, light-filled spaces
  • Strategic use of materials for visual interest, texture, and personality
  • Mostly a large chimney 
  • Chimney not prominent
​Ranch 1930- 1960
The Ranch house was a popular home during the 1950s- 60s.and based upon the Spanish Colonial House and some aspects of the Craftsman and Prairie homes.
 
Where: Originated in Southwest and West then everywhere

Typical features
  • Asymmetrical
  • Single story
  • Simple sprawling floor plan 
  • Roof - low-pitched hipped or gabled 
  • Brick or wood cladding 
  • Minimal embellishment of exterior
  • Window shutters sometimes decorated
  • Sometimes decorative iron porch supports
  • Front-facing built in garage, 
  • Wide overhanging eaves
  • Doors - sliding glass 
  • Windows large picture style or ribbon
  • Porch enclosed
​Split level 1955- 1975
This is really a modified Ranch Style with another storey added and a further third storey in a wing. The aim was to provide far more adaptable living space with a quiet, noisy and practical space all incorporated within one roof. 
 
Where: Everywhere
​
Typical features
  •  Asymmetrical façade
  • Multi levels 
  • Low pitched roof 
  • Deep-set eaves
  • Natural materials, including hardwood floors, wood and brick exterior
  • Minimal fenestration and external ornamentation 
  • Horizontal, rectangular or L-shaped plan
  • Double hung windows and a large picture window
  • Integrated front facing garage
  • Either wing back-split
  • Multiple attics with space for storage
  • Lower level off kitchen, great location for family room
  • Crawl space under part of the home
  • Large living areas
  • Formal dining area
​Shed Style 1960- 1985
The Shed Style is an amalgam of the Contemporary Style of the mid 20th Century and the later Post Modern styles. It originated in the 1960s and by the 70s was  very popular and remains so today and can be seen in schools, holiday homes, apartments and condominiums.

Where: Everywhere

​Typical features
  • Asymmetrical and strong lines.
  • Mixed “boxy” forms 
  • Busy multidirectional roofline.
  • One to two stories.
  • Clad in stained wood  or brick veneer.
  • Brick and stone veneers inserted as cladding.
  • Intersecting gable and/or shed roofs.
  • Seamless roof and wall intersection.
  • Roof - no overhang
  • Entrance door  is recessed or partially hidden  
  • Small and  geometric windows  
  • Asymmetrical placement of windows.
  • Sometimes large feature window
  • Smooth finishes throughout
  • Windows above eye level (Clerestory)
Large interior volumes of space