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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The classic postwar American ranch house — once dismissed as uninspired suburban sprawl — is making a design and real estate comeback
• Originally built en masse during the 1950s housing boom, these single-story, low-slung homes are being rediscovered by new generations for their simplicity, adaptability, and accessibility
• Buyers are remodeling them with modern aesthetics that balance nostalgia and sustainability
🔭 The context: Emerging after World War II as affordable family housing, ranch homes symbolized a shift toward car-centered suburbia. By the 1980s, they were seen as dated and unremarkable
• Today, however, a combination of rising housing costs, aging populations, and the minimalist design trend has revived their appeal
• The layout — single-floor, open plan, often on large lots — makes them ideal for both young families seeking renovation projects and older homeowners seeking age-friendly living
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Renovating and repurposing existing midcentury homes instead of demolishing and rebuilding reduces embodied carbon and construction waste
• The ranch house’s small footprint and adaptable design also make it well-suited for energy-efficient retrofits such as solar panels, heat pumps, and improved insulation
• The revival highlights a broader movement toward sustainable reuse — preserving suburban heritage while updating it for modern environmental standards.
⏭️ What's next: Architects and homeowners are embracing creative approaches: modernist facades, high-efficiency windows, and open interiors that maintain the ranch’s hallmark connection between indoor and outdoor spaces
• Real estate experts note growing demand in markets from California to Maryland, where renovated ranches are appreciating faster than average suburban homes
• As cities expand, these homes could become testbeds for sustainable, accessible suburban redevelopment
💬 One quote: “Once dismissed as ‘boxes made of ticky-tacky,’ ranch houses are now appreciated for what they are — livable, flexible, and surprisingly modern.” – Antonia van der Meer, WSJ
📈 One stat: Ranch-style homes now account for over 40% of resale listings in several U.S. suburban markets, up from 25% a decade ago, reflecting renewed buyer interest
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