Cliff May U-shaped house designs were at the forefront of popular American architecture during the early 20th century. Noteworthy examples of U-shaped house designs from Cliff May include the Luhrigs home in San Diego, California, the Greene home in San Antonio, Texas, and the Brigantine Beach house in New Jersey. Taking advantage of space, these designs make clever use of interior courtyards for outdoor living and dining, with bedrooms and other interior living spaces tucked around the exterior. Common features of Cliff May U-shaped ranch house designs include grand archways, large window openings, and sloped roofs. Cliff May U-shaped Ranch House Designs
Cliff May U-shaped Ranch House Designs
Cliff May was a master of courtyard house designs, using them to fantastic effect in many of his projects. Courtyard houses were a perfect solution for clients in need of extra outdoor living space but who wanted to avoid the headache and expense of a large outdoor garden. Some of his most impressive courtyard houses include the Thomas-Quinlan home in Texas, the Johnson home in Carmel Hills, California, and the Stanfield home in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico. The courtyards in these homes are often enclosed by walls and feature features like overhanging balconies, wooden decking, and water features. Cliff May Courtyard House Designs
Cliff May Courtyard House Designs
The Country Club house designs of Cliff May are some of his most iconic creations. These homes are often grand in scale and feature features like vaulted ceilings, large window openings, and expansive terraces. Notable examples of his country club house designs include the Thirsk home in Los Angeles, the Summerfield home in Santa Barbara, and the Bixler home in Palm Springs. An additional feature of many of these homes, as is to be expected, is the integration of golf courses and other outdoor amenities into the overall landscape design. Cliff May Country Club House Designs
Cliff May Country Club House Designs
The Cliff May California ranch house designs are some of the most recognizable creations from the architect's repertoire. These homes often feature pitched roofs, large window openings, and multiple outdoor living spaces. Notable examples of this type of design include the Bruins home in Los Angeles, the McAnanly home in San Francisco, and the Reger home in Santa Barbara. The colors and textures used in these homes also echo the natural beauty of the California landscape, with beiges, blues, and greens making regular appearances. Cliff May California Ranch House Designs
Cliff May California Ranch House Designs
Cliff May beach house designs exemplify the beauty and grandeur of California's sandy and sun-filled shores. These unique homes often feature vast interiors and wraparound decks, allowing residents to enjoy the nearby water and beaches. One of the most famous examples of Cliff May beach homes is the Shoreline home in Malibu, California. Characterized by tall windows, wide terraces, and a spacious deck, this beachside home is a testament to Cliff May's legacy. Cliff May Beach House Designs
Cliff May Beach House Designs
The Cape Cod house designs of Cliff May exemplify the charming and rustic beauty of the New England coast. These homes generally feature pitched roofs, wide windows, and plentiful outdoor living spaces. Notable examples of Cliff May's Cape Cod designs include the Bickford home in Martha's Vineyard, the Cole home in Rhode Island, and the Rappaport home in Northport, New York. Common features of these designs include accents like charming bedecked porches and outdoor living spaces. Cliff May Cape Cod House Designs
Cliff May Cape Cod House Designs
The traditional ranch house designs of Cliff May celebrate the American West, capturing the beauty and spirit of a bygone era. Those looking for an old-fashioned aesthetic in their new home will enjoy the classic ranch designs of May. Notable examples of this style include the Woodson home in Santa Barbara, California, the Kennedy home in Aspen, Colorado, and the Thiel home in Ironwood, New Mexico. These homes feature a mix of wood and stone accents, as well as traditional features like large stone fireplaces, rustic wood beams, and broad porches. Cliff May Traditional Ranch House Designs
Cliff May Traditional Ranch House Designs
Cliff May was also known for his five-bedroom ranch house designs. Most often found in the American Southwest are variations of the ranch house, Cliff May's five-bedroom designs featured unique touches like adobe walls, curved pillars, and red roof tiles. Notable examples of this style include the Guillen home in San Antonio, Texas, the Runte home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Frantz home in Phoenix, Arizona. Five-bedroom ranch house designs from Cliff May are always quite spacious, often featuring multiple living rooms and even outdoor kitchens. Cliff May Five-Bedroom Ranch House Designs
Cliff May Five-Bedroom Ranch House Designs
The Spanish Colonial house designs from Cliff May are some of his most avant-garde creations. These homes often feature subtle details that evoke the era of the Spanish explorers, including tall arched doorways, pocket patios, and hand-painted tiles. Notable monuments to this style include the Lord home in Santa Barbara, the Wells home in El Paso, Texas, and the O'Connor homein Tucson, Arizona. Deep colors are also used in these homes, including shades of red, terra cotta, and yellow that help create a unique atmosphere. Cliff May Spanish Colonial House Designs
Cliff May Spanish Colonial House Designs
The split-level house designs of Cliff May are the perfect solution for clients seeking extra living space. These designs make use of multiple floors and thus create the illusion of more room than what actually exists. Notable examples of Cliff May's split-level designs include the Waters home in Dallas, Texas, the Hodges home in Los Angeles, and the Meyer home in New York City. Split-level designs from Cliff May often feature multiple balconies, open spaces, and a subtle separation of interior and exterior space. Cliff May Split-Level House Designs
Cliff May Split-Level House Designs
Cliff May's minimal traditional house designs are perfect for clients who want a timeless feel in their home without sacrificing modern functionality. Notable examples of this style include the Jacobs home in San Diego, the Pollack home in Austin, Texas, and the Glaser home in San Francisco. Common features of these homes include an open floor plan, large windows, and subtle accents like exposed beams and sliding wood doors. The minimal and traditional elements of Cliff May's designs help create an environment of classic elegance. Cliff May Minimal Traditional House Designs
Cliff May Minimal Traditional House Designs
Origins of the Cliff May House Design
The distinguished American architect, Cliff May, was credited with inventing the post-war Ranch House style of residential architecture. Born in 1908, May began practicing professionally in the early 1930s, and his style of home design proved to be incredibly influential in the suburban housing boom of the 1950s and 60s. May was passionate about a traditional style of architecture that relied on building simple and elegant home designs, using natural and sustainable materials. This was the basis of nearly all of his work, which is now widely embraced as part of the “California Ranch” style.
Characteristics of the Cliff May House Design
The hallmark of the Cliff May House Design was its open floor plan, which included extensive outdoor living space for entertainment. Typical features of a Cliff May house are wood framing construction, exposed rafters, deep eaves, long and low pitched roofs, and an open porch that expands the length of the house. May also favored to use natural materials, such as brick, stone, and natural timber paneling for interior and exterior decoration. May’s thoughtful and efficient design of the California ranch-style house enabled many people to own their own homes and live in affordable comfort.
The Continuing Legacy of the Cliff May House Design
Today, the Cliff May House Design style remains popular among homeowners. Its classic look is timeless, and its efficient layout coupled with its reliance on natural materials, make it an ideal style for sustainable living. Additionally, with its long and low pitched roof lines, varying wall heights, and spacious outdoor living spaces, May’s design can be married with a modern aesthetic for an updated and unique look. Despite the influence of other styles, Cliff May’s ranch-style houses continue to be desired and requested by those looking to make a an eco-friendly and comfortable home.
Key Design Elements of a Cliff May House
A Cliff May house is characterized by natural materials, deep eaves, and a low-pitched roof. The open floor plan allows for light and air to flow freely throughout the entire house. Other key elements include the addition of a porch that runs the length of the house, exposed rafters, and extensive outdoor living spaces. Natural materials such as brick, stone, and timber are usually used as interior and exterior decor.
