The "Cookie Cutter Plan"

I find it funny to walk down a typical sub-urban neighborhood and look at all the similar houses that are built even on the same street. Each person or family that lives in these standard homes is very different, they have different needs, and lifestyles. How then could each different person settle for the same plan, because some Realtor told them that this "special" plan would suit their needs the best, even if the same plan was built multiple times on the same street?

Don't take this the wrong way. I have lived and now live in a "cookie cutter" house plan, but for a good reason. Take the first house that I purchased, a standard split entry, 3 bedroom and 1 and a half bath plan. A GREAT starter home; it was the perfect plan for me and my new family, well at least this is what my Real-estate agent told me. It was true though; it was perfect for my wallet, not my lifestyle or family.

This same floor plan was repeated and built multiple times in my neighborhood, with a few variations available. In my little subdivision 2/3 of all the houses were my house plan. That means that 2/3 of all the people in my neighborhood were exactly like me. They had the same likes and dislikes as me, and lived their lives exactly like me, Right? That is why they lived in the same house plan as me, Right? Actually, it was the wallet thing again. It was a shelter to live in when they were home, that they could afford. They made it work for them, or adapted it to the way they lived. In most cases it probably did not even work with their lifestyle at all, and they did not even like it. I mean how in the world does a family of 7 share 1 bathroom that is connected to the "Master" bedroom? Wow, that reminds me of the opening scene from "Muppets From Space" when all the Muppets are getting ready for the day with just the one bathroom for all the Muppets. You have Animal looking for a shower and ends up washing in the toilet because everything else in the bathroom and house is occupied by a King Prawn, a Cow, Fozzie Bear taking a shower with a rain coat, and a long line of every other creature waiting to get in and use the bathroom. It is like a Womens' Restroom at halftime, Crazy!

A little history…

One of the first cookie cutter plans out there was the "Sears Modern Home" or a home designed and sold in the classic Sears Catalog. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sears_Catalog_Home) These plans were built way back in 1908. Basically they were a House in a box, that Sears would ship to your purchased property. Just pick the plan that you liked best, and it was on its way, nails, wood and batteries included. These were inexpensive and just about anyone could afford the American dream, to own your own home. The economy of scale came into play here. Mass produce something, and you could make it more affordable for the everyday Joe. It is just Joe, John, Jimmy, Jason, Jordan, and Jerry would have the same plans even though they lived in different places and in different climates, and had different needs and lifestyles.

Ok, enough Architectural History for one post...