Architecture and Suburbia

Exploring the concept of the American suburban dream house, the book delves into its historical significance and enduring appeal despite criticisms of homogeneity. Architectural historian John Archer traces the roots of this ideal dwelling to late seventeenth-century England, highlighting how notions of privacy, property, and selfhood shaped the foundation of American identity. The work examines the paradox of the suburbs, where half of the American population resides, against the backdrop of these deeply ingrained cultural values.