Bungalow
‘Bungalow’ is an Anglo-derived term used to describe a style of house that originated in India and Bengal. Bungalows are characterised by their single-storey height, and were first identified by British sailors of the East India Company in the late-17th century.
However, the term refers to different specific types of building depending on the country. Ironically, in India, a bungalow is a general term that refers to any single-family building, regardless of the number of storeys. In Canada and the UK, a bungalow is typically a one-storey building. In Australia and the United States, bungalows are usually built with a half-second storey and a sloping roof.
Climatic factors were key to the development of bungalows, as traditional cottages were unsuited to the tropical climates of Southeast Asia. The thick walls used for cottages would trap hot and humid air inside, and they were liable to flood during the monsoon season as they were built directly on the ground.
The original bungalows were developed to try and alleviate these problems. Raising the house above the ground by a metre or more would prevent most flooding. Wide hallways and large windows spread over one level helped distribute air throughout the building.
The building plan of a bungalow tends to have smaller and fewer rooms that extend from a larger living room. They can allow more privacy than traditional buildings, as being lower to the ground enables trees, fences and other vegetation to block windows more easily.
Bungalows tend to be small and so are easily maintained and relatively cheap to heat and cool. As a result, they are often promoted as being suitable housing for the disabled or elderly, who may also benefit from their single storey layout.
However, as they are single storey, they occupy more area than multi-storey buildings, and can have a higher cost per square metre.
NB the English Housing Survey Housing Stock Report, 2014-15, prepared by the Department of Communities and Local Government, defines a bungalow as: /A house with all of the habitable accommodation on one floor. This excludes chalet bungalows and bungalows with habitable loft conversions, which are treated as houses.'
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Apartment.
- Bungalow shops.
- Condominium.
- Detached house.
- Duplex.
- Double fronted house.
- Dwelling.
- Flat definition.
- Household.
- Indian construction industry.
- Maisonette.
- Prefab bungalows.
- Residential definition.
- Room for residential purposes.
- Shingle style architecture.
- Terraced house.
- Types of building.
- Types of dwelling.
- Use of railway carriages as holiday homes and permanent housing.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.