A-frame

A-frame styles houses are named for their A shape. This style is most commonly used as vacation homes as there is not much living space available inside. Architects commonly used this style of architecture as their "blank canvas" because they were inexpensive to build and, being a summer home, people were more willing to design a more extreme living space.

Features

 * Triangular shape
 * Steeply sloping roof that extends to the ground on two sides
 * Front and rear gables
 * Deep-set eaves
 * 1½ or 2½ stories
 * Many large windows on front and rear façades
 * Small living space
 * Few vertical wall surfaces

History
In the mid 1900s, the United States was experiencing an increase in disposable income as well as new found desire to own more than one home. A summer home became a status symbol and the A-frame style was just what Americans needed. Though the tee-pee style of architecture (from which the A-frame was generated) dates back to the beginning of history, the A-frame style of architecture was thrust into the spotlight in 1957. Andrew Geller built a home in Long Island, New York in this style. Soon, A-frame houses sprouted up across the United States as summer homes and even rental properties.

While the A-frame style of architecture has undergone many changes, the basic shape remains true. The roof, as mentioned, is an A-shape that covers from the top of the house to the ground. The roofline was created to keep snow from building up and possibly causing the roof to cave in. The roof also creates a loft or storage space upstairs and drastically reduces the cost of maintenance (since there is no siding or paint on the sides of the house). In order to gain more living space, newer models of the A-frame houses may have an additional floor. This floor is usually on the bottom, with the A-frame house ontop; instead of the roof extending to the ground it now extends only to the top of the bottom floor. The large windows and gables are still commonplace, as is the more traditional wood or stone facade.

Architects
Notable architects associated with this style include: