A Quick History of H-shaped Homes
In medieval times, many castles, halls, and town gathering areas utilized the H-shape. The hall house of medieval Northern Europe was also known as the double-ended hall house.
Many wealthy families and royalty used this type of home because it has a natural barrier between private and public quarters. There’s also separation between living quarters and storage areas. Because this home served as a hall, too, it was typically quite large with high ceilings, and it could have multiple floors.
Using a smaller, inner H-shape and a larger, outer H-shape, a family could double the two-wing format to increase space. However, because this two-H home shape requires a large lot, it wasn't popular—the typical person couldn't afford the land to build it.
As time passed, fewer and fewer people used the double-ended home style, but it never completely disappeared.
Why Should You Consider an H shaped House Plan?
H shaped house plans are not typical in 21st century America—but that doesn't mean they’re not gorgeous or that they can’t be practical. This type of home is an excellent choice for those with plenty of space to build.
Additionally, double-ended homes accommodate large, growing families. Because you can create separate areas, they are also ideal for those who like to entertain guests.
If you are interested in this type of home, consider these questions:
- Do you have a large, multi-generational family or do you plan for that in the future?
- Do you have a large piece of property?
- Do you like to entertain guests?
- Do you want two different sides for your home?
The first three questions will have straightforward yes or no answers, but the final question requires a deeper dive into your lifestyle and living space requirements.
A traditional component of H-shaped homes is that each side of the house is for different activities.
For example, all the bedrooms are on one side, and storage, utility rooms, the kitchen, breakfast nook, and entertainment rooms are on the other. This type of layout creates split living, where you spend the evenings on one side, and your daytime activities mostly happen on the other side of the house.
Keep reading if you're interested in this layout or want to learn more about the unique features that make this type of house stand out from the rest of the neighborhood.
Features of Double-Ended House Plans
Even though H-shaped or double-ended buildings hearken back to older-style homes from times past, these houses are great for busy modern lifestyles because of their flexibility.
When looking at double-ended house plans, the exterior features stand out because of their intriguing appearance, but the interior makes the most significant difference to your living experience.
To help you learn about the various features available in your floor plan, here's an in-depth look at the four main parts of your home and some customization options you can consider.
Entryway
When building an H-shaped home, you have a few choices for your entryway. Many homes use a simple foyer for the entrance.
If the entryway is only a foyer, it is narrow and abrupt. This space aims to welcome you into the home and then directs you to one of the two sides.
Quaint, compact foyers are an option, but many developers and designers opt for a more spacious entranceway to accentuate the middle space in the home—which is often a grand room or large living room.
When the entryway joins a large room, like a great room, it expands into the center of the home. This space, known as the crossbar, then becomes the natural indoor gathering place for family members. As the crossbar of the home increases in size, so does the overall square footage and your flexibility.
Most double-sided homes have wings that are proportional to the size of the crossbar or central gathering place.
In the first house plan example, the house is narrow and doesn't have a large indoor area for people to congregate. The second plan features an expansive space in the middle with several rooms in the wings to fill out the house.
The Right-Wing
In most H-shaped homes, the bedrooms are on the right side of the house. Since most people prefer the side of their dominant hand, which is usually the right hand , homes with distinct wings tend to put the bedrooms on the right side.
This layout helps organize the home and creates a clear flow of daily activity. Everyone in your family wakes up on the same side of the house and won't typically return to that side until the evening. Therefore, your family will spend most of the time in the left wing or crossbar.
This convenient layout offers locations for the laundry rooms, bathrooms, home libraries, and offices near the bedrooms. Since all the bedrooms are on one side, it makes sense to include most of the toilets and the laundry room nearby.
Additionally, having home libraries, studies, and offices near the bedrooms ensures a fluid flow of living for those who work or study at home.
The Left Wing
Since the bedrooms, bathrooms, and offices are on one side of the house, that leaves the kitchen, living room, dining room, and other essential rooms for the left wing.
Many double-ended houses install the kitchen near the crossbar because the center of the home often provides the most space.
With this extra space in the middle, you can expand your dining room or create a multi-use area.
The left-wing is the typical space for the garage. Although no rule says you can't put it on the right side or have one on both, for homes with one garage, the architect traditionally puts the garage on the left side for a good reason.
This puts the cars closer to the living quarters, including the kitchen.
With bedrooms in the right-wing, you don't need your car close by since you're sleeping. But in the kitchen, it's easier to have your vehicle nearby, especially when bringing in groceries or heading out to the day’s activities after eating breakfast.
Courtyard
One of the keystone features of an H-shaped house plan is the courtyard.
The home's shape naturally creates this area by providing a private location to enjoy your yard.
Although the size of this space depends on the size of your home (wing length and crossbar width), you have several options on how to make your courtyard your backyard oasis.
A lanai is a great transition from the foyer or grand room into the outdoors. The screened-in room lets you enjoy your yard without the heat beating on you or the bugs bothering you.
Additionally, you can install a swimming pool that greets the lanai for hot summer days or times when you want to take a swim. If you put a swimming pool inside your courtyard, you have natural privacy borders thanks to your home’s left and right wings.
How much your home encircles the swimming area depends on the size of the pool and where you put it. You can have two to three sides protected from view if it's close to the wings.
However, a pool isn't for everyone, and depending on your geographic location, it may be unusable for most of the year.
If you don't want a pool, you can create a fire pit in your courtyard. A fire pit is a great outdoor piece that requires little maintenance, and it can be as intricate as you want.
Some families opt for a simple fire pit with chairs all around, but others build gazebos, install grills, plant flowers, and update the seating area around a fire to improve the ambiance and create an outdoor oasis.
There are several options available and design models to follow. The most important thing is to build your home to fit your needs.
Interior Design Elements
When designing your H-shaped home, there are several interior features you’ll want to include to capitalize on the unique shape of your living space and to meet your family's needs. There are dozens of options with this medieval-style architecture, but here are some of the popular choices.
Basem*nt
A basem*nt is an excellent use of space for large, growing families because it gives the children a designated place to play and hang out with their friends.
Additionally, a basem*nt is flexible, and its purpose can easily change over time. What might start as a designated playroom can turn into a home gym, mother-in-law suite, or extra storage space.
Multiple Stories
Like the extra space with a basem*nt, having a second floor is a great way to create more flexibility. You can, for example, take advantage of your first floor for living and entertaining and leave the bedrooms upstairs.
One of the beneficial parts about this design approach is that you don't need a ton of space to build out—you just need to build up. So if you're limited on land and committed to an H-shaped floor plan, consider multiple stories.
Open-Concept Design
The best thing you can do with a double-sided home is to keep the design open. An open-concept design makes a large home feel even more spacious.
Since double-ended hall houses are great for hosting events and guests, you might want to keep the floor plan open to accommodate people and create an easy flow from room to room. Combining an open-concept design with a basem*nt and multiple stories creates designated spaces for all parts of your day-to-day life.
Exterior Design Elements
When building your H-shaped home, it's essential to consider the exterior. The exterior design is important for boosting curb appeal, and it provides you with an outdoor space you can enjoy for years to come. The outside of an H-shaped house traditionally focuses on outdoor gathering spaces.
Sun Deck
Sun decks are great options for H-shaped homes with a second or third floor. This type of deck sits on the roof of the lower floor.
A sun deck is similar to a rooftop terrace. You can have a table, chairs, and even a gazebo to protect you from the sun.
Wrap-Around Porch
You can also install a wrap-around porch to expand your outdoor space and create a more welcoming environment. You can have the porch go all around the house or focus on one side, whichever works for you.
Additionally, these porches do well in the courtyard area, where they can hug the house's exterior and provide ample seating. Wrap-around patios are great for homes on steep slopes where you don't have a flat backyard.
Outdoor Kitchen
For homes with a level yard, an outdoor kitchen is an excellent centerpiece. Within the privacy of your courtyard, you can cook and eat outside without worrying about your neighbors being able to see you.
A grilling porch is appealing if you live in a warmer climate. You can cook out there at all times of the year and enjoy freshly grilled meals. The extra outdoor cooking space is especially helpful around the holidays when you need as much room as possible to prepare food.
Benefits of an H-shaped House Design
When designing your home, there are so many things to consider that it's easy to get overwhelmed. One of the best ways to recenter your focus is to consider how your house will benefit your family.
In an H-shaped house , you will experience greater living spaces, build a stronger connection to the outdoors, and have an organized home.
Greater Living Spaces
In your new home, you will have more space to enjoy your life at home. As your children grow and guests come over, you have all the space you need to entertain them. Additionally, these large spaces are flexible, so you can make them multipurpose—part dining room, part living room.
Strong Connection to the Outdoors
H-shaped homes wrap around nature, which pulls you into your surroundings and helps you relax. Whether you use glass walls, sliding doors, or French doors, your hall house can increase your connection with nature. You can spend more time outside to relax and recover from a long day of work.
Organized Home
With the natural sectioning of the entryway, right-wing, left-wing, and courtyard, you can easily organize and clean your home because everything has its proper place. With the rooms sectioned off to distinct areas in the house, you can more easily take care of upkeep and maintenance.
Choose Your Perfect H-Shaped House Plan
H-shaped homes are unique in their own right and pull historical imagery from thousands of years ago. These houses are royally beautiful, yet they offer a grounded feel for the homeowners.
From the flexible design elements to the inclusion of nature, you can make your H-shaped home exactly how you want it with Monster House Plans.
With 30 different layouts, you can find a home that suits your family’s lifestyle. But if you don't find a configuration that reflects your vision, you can Ask-an-Architect to adapt a layout for you.
Monster House Plans has what you need. Browse our plans or call us today to find out how we can help you make your dream home a reality!
