Evolution of Modern Mass Production Residential Housing

Evolution of Modern Mass Production Residential Housing

This lecture focuses on the evolution of modern mass production in residential housing, highlighting the significant changes this brings to legal frameworks and the importance of how homes are built.

Importance of Evolution in Housing Production

  • The evolution of residential homes has dramatically altered over time.

  • The law governing housing must adapt as this evolution occurs.

  • The law is referred to as an "evolving living thing" that must mirror human business practices and interactions.

Historical Contrast: Willow District vs. Modern Suburbia

  • Willow District

    • Located near ASU Law School, featuring homes built in the 1920s.

    • These historic homes are unique and diverse in design, with each reflecting individual craftsmanship.

  • Modern Suburbia

    • Refers to homes built in the 1990s with a typical Arizona subdivision layout.

    • Homes are generally similar, designed by the same builder and architect.

    • Limited customization options for homeowners leads to a mass-produced aesthetic unlike the unique homes of the Willow District.

Influence of Frank Lloyd Wright

  • Frank Lloyd Wright significantly impacted residential architecture.

  • After building Falling Waters, he sought to create affordable housing solutions.

  • He designed Jacobs House for Herbert Jacobs, which became an experimental model for mass production housing.

  • Innovations from Jacobs House:

    • Introduction of grid design to simplify construction and reduce costs.

    • First open floor plan concept without basement or attic, emphasizing effective space usage.

    • Invention of a carport as a cost-effective alternative to a full garage.

    • Implementation of track lighting.

  • Wright termed this approach as "Usonian Homes," focusing on affordable designs for the masses.

  • Wright aimed to eliminate complications in construction—these are foundational responses to the need for affordable housing.

Evolution to Usonian Automatic

  • Frank Lloyd Wright further simplified home design with the Usonian automatic model, emphasizing cost reduction by using blocks and minimizing skilled labor.

  • Key principles:

    • Elimination of the need for skilled craftsmen, making housing accessible to everyday individuals.

    • Transition from craft-based homebuilding to a model where non-skilled labor becomes the norm, resembling Ford's assembly line concept for cars.

  • By 1957, the first Usonian automatic was completed, showcasing a profound shift in construction methodologies.

Contributions from Other Architects

  • Cliff May

    • Capitalized on Wright's principles to popularize the modern ranch home across the U.S.

    • Simplified designs further by reducing reliance on architects.

  • William Levitt

    • Built on the ideas of Wright and May to create mass-produced housing, offering homes not tailored to specific clients but rather pre-designed for broader markets.

    • Established concepts of Levittowns, which popularized suburban living and standardized housing appearances markedly different from earlier, uniquely crafted homes.

  • Levitt's homes are characterized by homogeneity and affordability, leading to significant urban expansion and suburban development across America.

Legal Implications and Case Study: McPherson v. Buick

  • The transition from artisan-crafted homes to mass-produced products has legal ramifications.

  • Case: McPherson v. Buick (1916)

    • Marked a pivotal moment in product liability law, addressing the responsibility of manufacturers in product safety.

    • McPherson's claim against Buick arose after an accident caused by a faulty tire fitted onto a car.

    • Buick argued lack of responsibility as it did not manufacture the tire.

    • Court decision determined that mass production alters manufacturer liability, establishing that manufacturers bear responsibility for ensuring the safety of completed products.

    • It established that manufacturers must be accountable for defective products, regardless of whether they manufactured every component.

Conclusion

  • The evolution from unique craftsmanship to mass production in housing signifies broader shifts in societal structure, economics, and law.

  • The discussion of consequences regarding this shift will continue in the next lecture, with an exploration of its implications for residential construction and legal frameworks.