BETA
Chapter 1
The blueprint of Levittown
Chapter 2
The invisible rules of zoning
Chapter 3
The anatomy of the cul-de-sac
Chapter 4
The cost of suburban sprawl
YOUR GOAL
Master of Why American suburbs look alike
Ch 1 · The blueprint of Levittown
sloane Levittown Suburban Blueprint
All these suburbs look the same, yeah? That's the Levittown blueprint plan!
sloane A single, simple architectural style was chosen to maximize speed and minimize material costs.
sloane Levitt and Sons turned homebuilding into a 27-step factory process where specialized crews moved from lot to lot.
Fun Fact
Levittown speed: In 1948, Levittown builders completed a new house every 16 minutes to meet demand.
Glossary
suburb (noun)
A residential district located on the outskirts of a city. In 1947, William Levitt built thousands of standardized homes in Levittown, defining the postwar American suburb.
A residential district located on the outskirts of a city. In 1947, William Levitt built thousands of standardized homes in Levittown, defining the postwar American suburb.
Quiz
What major historical event created the massive US housing shortage that spurred suburban development?
Quiz
In what year did construction begin on the first Levittown in Long Island, New York?
Quiz
How much did a standard, newly built Levittown home cost when they first went on sale in 1947?
Quiz
How many square feet of living space did the original 1947 Levittown Cape Cod homes offer?
Quiz
How many distinct construction steps did William Levitt use to mass-produce suburban homes?
Quiz
What appliance brand was pre-installed in early Levittown homes to attract young families?