Split level home with Sunken Courtyard - 1961

This U-shaped, split level home was designed in 1961 for a sloping site, with three separate wings - the living areas in the lower wing, the bedrooms at the higher end of the slope, and the utility wing long the side.

Three wings wrap around a sunken courtyard

The car-port indicates that the bedrooms are closer to the road than the living areas.

I quite like this plan - especially the fact that there are no wasted long hallway spaces.  I do think an additional car port next to the kitchen, with entry through the laundry/playroom would make unloading the groceries easier than parking near the bedrooms.  Back in 1961 the family probably only had one car, used by the man of the house to get to work, and the lady at home would have walked to the shops.

At around 12 squares, this house could have been built for about $,500 pounds, about $116,000 today.

Mid-Century House Plan - January 1962

Each week this year I want to share a mid-century house design. Many of these designs are small, in comparison to modern day homes, but they also have some great features that we can incorporate today.    With new technology like flat screen tvs and lap tops, we really don't need separate studies or TV rooms, and smaller is definitely cheaper!

This home from the January 1962 issue of the Australian Women's weekly has a U-Shaped plan with a semi-enclosed courtyard separating living and sleeping wings.

The laundry is an extension of the kitchen, and you can imagine a carport or garage could be attached here for easy entry after doing groceries, as well as an undercover washing line for inclement weather.  The dining area is conveniently located close to the kitchen, but not right in it, and that wall could be a feature brick wall continuing in the same material as the fireplace.

I love the closet in the entry hall - I could really do with one of those, and the fact that you can't see into the house from the front door, but there is not the wasted space of a long hallway.

There are three large bedroom, and the largest bedroom has a walk in robe. Wouldn't it be lovely to wake up and breakfast on the terrace? And perhaps a swimming pool just off the terrace and living area - with light white furniture and orange and turquoise accents?

White metal outdoor furniture

Deb xx