Farmhouse Plans

In Short

This technical bulletin serves as a comprehensive guide to farmhouse architecture in the United States during the 1930s. Compiled by the Department of Agriculture, it provides forty distinct designs for houses that balance affordability with long-term utility. By emphasizing "growing houses"—structures that can be expanded as a family’s budget and size increase—the text offers a blueprint for permanence in a transient era. It remains a valuable historical document of American domestic ingenuity, reflecting a period when self-reliance and careful planning were essential to rural survival.

The Story

The narrative begins with a clear, utilitarian purpose: to standardize and improve the quality of American farm housing following a nationwide survey. The authors argue that a farmhouse is not merely a shelter but a lifelong investment meant to last at least sixty years, housing two generations of a family. They establish a philosophy of "proper" design, where the house acts as a functional machine for living. The core of this argument is the "growing house," a concept where the initial structure is built for immediate, modest needs, with pre-planned additions—extra bedrooms, laundry rooms, or living spaces—that can be attached later without costly, inefficient remodeling.

As the text progresses, it details the specific requirements for success: the kitchen must be the command center, strategically placed to overlook the driveway and farm buildings. The authors provide granular advice on the placement of sinks, stoves, and worktables to minimize the housewife's effort. They discuss the necessity of rear entryways, where laborers can shed work gear before entering the living space, and the importance of cross-ventilation in southern designs or cellars for heating and storage in northern climates.

The middle section shifts to the realities of construction and economics. The authors acknowledge the prevalence of self-building, encouraging farmers to harvest their own lumber and use local stone to lower cash outlays. They provide a method for estimating costs by calculating the square footage of the superstructure, cellar, and porches, while cautioning that these figures—based on 1934 labor and material prices—are only guides for local contractors.

The final arc showcases the forty specific house plans, categorized by style and region. Each entry is a case study in efficiency, showing how a modest cabin can evolve into a full-sized residence. The text concludes by reinforcing the idea that beauty in a farmhouse stems from simplicity and the skillful integration of the building into its landscape. Rather than seeking ornamental decoration, the authors advise that a home’s character is best served by native shrubbery and the honest, sturdy lines of functional architecture. Ultimately, the book presents the farmhouse as a living project—a structure that respects the dignity of the family it serves while remaining adaptable to the inevitable changes of time.

How It Unfolds

The Foundation of Intent The authors define the farmhouse as a generational commitment, prioritizing durability and foresight. They set the stage by establishing the essential requirements for space, storage, and the critical need for a well-placed, efficient kitchen.

The Logic of Efficiency The text moves into the mechanics of daily life, outlining how to position doors and porches to connect the home with farm operations. This section establishes the "back-door" culture of the farm, where the rear entrance is the primary, utilitarian gateway for the family.

The Economics of Construction The narrative shifts toward the practical challenge of building on a budget. It details how to calculate square footage and suggests ways for owners to reduce cash expenses by sourcing local materials and performing their own labor.

The Catalog of Designs The final portion provides a detailed walkthrough of forty architectural plans categorized by size and regional climate needs. Each plan serves as a lesson in how to build a basic unit that can be expanded logically as the family matures.

The People

The central figure is the "farm family," a unit whose evolving needs define the entire architectural approach. They are not merely occupants but active managers of their domestic life; they want a home that offers both work efficiency and the comfort of a "real homey atmosphere." The main obstacle standing in their way is the financial constraint of agricultural life, which often forces them to choose between immediate shelter and long-term quality.

To support them, the text features the "home economics specialists" and "agricultural engineers" who act as silent mentors. These experts want the family to avoid the "boxed-in" feeling of poorly designed rooms and the hazards of steep, dangerous stairways. They champion the housewife, advocating for kitchen layouts that lighten her daily load through the strategic placement of sinks and cupboards. Through these plans, the family is encouraged to transform from a group living in temporary, cramped quarters into residents of a permanent, well-ventilated, and organized home. By the end, they are presented as empowered builders, capable of expanding their own floor plans as their resources and family size grow, moving from the necessity of basic survival to the stability of a finished, multi-room dwelling.

In Its Own Voice

"A well-built farmhouse should last for 60 years or more."

Reflecting on the long-term commitment of rural construction, this sentence sets the standard for the quality the authors expect from a family's primary investment.

"The first requirement of a satisfactory farmhouse is adequate size to provide needed working area, storage space, and living and sleeping quarters."

The authors define the house not by its aesthetic appeal, but by its ability to facilitate the daily work and life of the residents.

"The prospective builder should not try to obtain too much originality, but rather should base his selection on those features of the plan which will give the utmost satisfaction in the long run."

This advice serves as the guiding principle for the book’s conservative, utility-first approach to domestic design.

What It's Really About

This book is an argument for the dignity of functionalism. It posits that a home’s value is derived entirely from how well it serves the specific, changing needs of its occupants. The underlying question is how to balance the necessity of low-cost, modest beginnings with the desire for a permanent, comfortable family estate. By treating the farmhouse as a "growing" entity, the book explores the intersection of economic survival and domestic stability. It promotes the idea that careful, professional planning—even for the simplest of buildings—is the surest way to prevent the waste of resources and the frustration of living in an inflexible space. Ultimately, the work is about aligning a family's physical environment with their long-term security and daily labor.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in vernacular architecture, historical preservation, or the "tiny house" movement will find this book fascinating. It provides a window into the 1930s, when the American government treated domestic architecture as a vital public service for rural prosperity. Reading it feels like looking over the shoulder of a master builder who is deeply concerned with the practical, everyday rhythms of life. There is a quiet, rhythmic satisfaction in the descriptions of well-placed kitchen sinks and the logical flow of a house that "hugs the ground."

However, the reader must be prepared for the book's dry, technical nature. It is a government bulletin, not a memoir or a novel, and it demands focus to translate its 1934-era measurements and material recommendations into modern terms. It is entirely devoid of emotional flourishes, focusing instead on the geometry of closets and the physics of heat circulation. For those who find beauty in efficiency, there is much to appreciate here; the book effectively captures an era when simplicity was not just a design choice, but a necessity. It stays with you as a reminder of the value of planning for the long haul, encouraging an approach to living that prioritizes longevity over the fleeting trends of the day.