201 South Saluda Avenue
Aladdin Kit House
Suburbanization within the United States during the early 20th century prompted a unique housing trend – kit homes. Featuring ready-cut lumber and a menu of design and finish details, kits were produced by companies such as the North American Construction Company, known now as the Aladdin Company, and sold through catalogues. The Rose Hill neighborhood features at least 38 identified Aladdin kit homes, including this two-story bungalow, marketed as the Shadow Lawn. Standardization of lumber processing maximized the volume of building components from raw materials while minimizing waste common to more traditional construction methods. Such residences were cheaper to build and less expensive to buy. Well before our contemporary interest in green issues, kit homes made financial and environmental sense.
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Color renderings and accompanying floor plans proved effective marketing tools for developers keen on real-estate speculation and individuals interested in overseeing the construction of their own homes. Image courtesy Clarke Library, Central Michigan University
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Detailed “exploded views” of floor plans within catalogs included suggested layouts for furnishings and decorative treatments. Image courtesy Clarke Library, Central Michigan University
