Split-Level House
Madison Solomon
Description of the Split-Level House
In the split-level house the floor levels are staggered. They typically have a set of 2 stairs, one going up to a bedroom, and one going down the the basement. The garage is usually the same level of the basement. The front door usually opens up right into the formal living room. The house has been around for years, and because of this, it's full of natural material, such as wood, and brick. The purpose of the home was to be spacious and comfortable for families.
Older Split-Level
You can tell the right side of the house is where the stairs are leading to the bedrooms on the upper level, and going down for the basement.
Side-by-side stairs
The stairs from the platform are leading up to bedrooms, and down to a basement.
Modern Split-Level
This house is more modern than the first house, but still follows the same type of floor plan.
Completed Full House split level floor plan
Historical Information
The houses used to sometimes be called "raised ranches". They were the most popular from 1930's-1970's. The Normandy shows that the "stepped up" floor plan was common for both suburban, and city areas. It provided a distinct difference from the ranch houses for new home buyers. National Homes Corporation sold hundreds and thousands of split level houses to single families. Charles Goodman was the designer of the home. The split level house was portrayed in many, Post-war-do-it-yourself magazines because it was the new best thing, for modest, single post war families.
Building Materials used to build the Split-Level home
the most typical building style was brick accents paired with wood lap siding. Sometimes narrow edge stone was used for decoration. The houses often portrayed a colonial style. They has wood shutters, classical porch columns, and front doors with sidelights.