Post-war 1945 > 1965

After World War Two, the change from austerity to prosperity was reflected in increasing house sizes and a growth in home ownership. Often characterised by the triple fronted brick veneer, Post-war houses were comfortable and designed for family living.

Although more traditional than those of Modern design, Post-war houses were usually single storeyed with interconnected living rooms - a move towards open planning. Mass produced windows encouraged a greater use of glass.

Social history

An acute shortage of building skills, materials and equipment followed World War Two and led to a chronic housing shortage. Brick veneer - cheaper and faster to construct than solid brick - became archetypal of the era.

A revival of domestic building followed the post-war baby boom and widespread immigration. In 1947 the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects and The Age introduce the Small Homes Service, providing low-cost off-the-plan architecturally designed small homes.

The vast majority of houses from the 1950s were designed by building companies like AV Jennings rather than individual architects.

To watch architect and academic Phillip Goad provide an overview of design in the Post-war period, Click Here.

To watch architect and academic Phillip Goad discuss the influence of social and technological changes in Post-war society on housing design, Click Here.