Jul
Traditional Homes From 8 Different Countries
Everyones house looks different, from suburb to suburb and city to city, styles and materials change. But the difference is even more apparent from country to country.
Let's take a look at some traditional house designs from 8 different countries around the world:
1. Japan
The style of this traditional Japanese house is known as Minka, which means “houses of the people”. It dates back to the Edo period (between 1603 and 1868) and is characterised by a basic internal wooden structure, and high, slanted roof.
The minka roof is steeply peaked on purpose, with the extreme slant allowing rain and snow to fall straight off, preventing water from getting into the house and stopping pooling water and rot.
2. Australia
This is a style we’re all pretty familiar with. The Queenslander is almost the quintessential Australian house, with raised stilts, wooden exteriors, large verandas, and usually fronted with a large gable roof, surrounded by secondary smaller gables behind.
3. Thailand
Much like the Queenslander, many traditional homes in Thailand are built for cooling purposes. Having high-set homes allows air to pass underneath and cool the interior during long, hot summers. Thai houses usually feature a bamboo or wooden structure, raised on stilts and topped with a steep gabled roof.
4. The Netherlands
Although there are many traditional Dutch house styles, the most recognisable is the windmill. These traditional buildings draw tourists from all over the world. And they weren’t just windmills to pump water or grain, they were also homes for millers and their families.
5. Mongolia
The traditional Mongolian ger is known more commonly known as a yurt to foreigners. It’s almost entirely portable, making it the perfect home for nomadic families. It’s characterised by a round felt tent, covered in durable, waterproof, white canvas.
6. Peru
What makes these homes remarkable is not only their design, but also what’s beneath them. These are the famous floating islands on Peru’s Lake Titicaca. Home to the ancient Uros people, the floating ground and building structures are made from weaving reeds together that are found on the lake.
7. Tanzania
Image via. Gap Force
Traditional to the Maasai people in Tanzania, a boma house refers to a variety of buildings that are essentially small huts, usually made of mud and cow dung, with thick grass covering. The idea behind the huts is that they are quick to put up, but easy to maintain, allowing the Maasai village to move on quickly if necessary.
8. England
The English half-timbered house is characterised by constructing the wood frame with the structural timbers exposed. The space between the wooden timbers is usually filled with plaster, brick, or stone, giving the house it's “half-timber” look. The style was most popular in the 16th and 17th century, when there was an abundant supply of oak, the most common material for half-timbered homes.