A bungalow house is built on one floor (ground floor). This is mostly built as owner occupier (meaning that the owner builds to live in it with his family); it is predominantly residential in most parts of the city and rural communities. Bungalows are usually cost-effective to construct; which makes them attractive to medium and low-income earners such as Civil servants and private business owners.
The living room, dining room, kitchen, baths, and toilets are the rooms that make up a bungalow. There are four types of bungalows in Nigeria: one with one bedroom, two with two bedrooms, three with three bedrooms, and four with four bedrooms.
In contrast 3- and 4-bedroom bungalows, which typically consist of a living room, kitchen, dining area, store, bedrooms, and box room, are more common in urban and suburban regions. One-bedroom and two-bedroom bungalows are more common in rural areas. Owing to the low cost of bungalow development, bungalow projects are typically chosen by middle-class and lower-class individuals. Low-income owners may need up to two years to develop their bungalows, while middle-class owners may need up to a year to complete the project.
Although building a bungalow is inexpensive, the quality of finishing and amenities installed might run a large number of money. The degree of finishing would dictate how long construction would take and how much experience the development team’s pros would need to have.
Where Did Bungalow House Come From
The earliest bungalow homes were constructed in India several years ago. The term “bungalow” itself is derived from Hindi and signifies “house built in the Bengali style.”Since India was once a British territory, the British saw these kinds of residences and started constructing them in their own country. Bungalow construction started in America over time, particularly in the coastal states.
Since 1897, the construction technology has been protected by patents. Bungalow homes began to appear all over the world, especially in Africa, where a variety of remarkable styles had been researched and realized. The bungalow designs that are currently on the market are utilized for a variety of purposes, including residential and commercial.
The latest bungalow house designs in Nigeria feature portable, detached homes with well-planned interior spaces like an entry porch, anteroom, dining area, kitchen, store, master bedroom, children’s room(s), and additional rooms that are all ensuite. The roofs are made of flat corrugated stone-coated roofing sheets. There are additional guest restrooms available for guests. For aesthetic purposes, the exterior walls are typically finished with ceramic wall tiles and brick or stone tiles. Plaster of Paris (POP) type ceiling boards are the most prevalent type. Every other facility on the property has contemporary characteristics that meet specifications. Generally, allowance is given for a small garage that may hold two cars concurrently.
These days, a bungalow is a one-story home for a single family that has a sizable terrace and, less frequently, an attic. The living room is the focal point of the house, with smaller rooms arranged around it. Natural materials are employed in the interior design and decoration, creating a calm and uncomplicated atmosphere that encourages relaxation.
Types of Bungalow
Bungalows can be built as detached, semi-detached or terrace.
Detached Bungalows
These are stand-alone buildings on one floor (ground floor). This type does not share separation walls with other buildings. It is mostly built in government-reserved Reserved Areas (also known as GRA) or in small estates in the city.
Semi-Detached Bungalows:
When two bungalows with different accommodation share the same separating wall, it is called semi-detached.
Terrace Bungalows:
A bungalow is called a terrace when three or more similar bungalows are built in a straight line and separated by their side walls also known as separating walls.
Uses of A Bungalow
Bungalows are commonly owner-occupied, this means that people build bungalows to live in them rather than rent them out to tenants. Some bungalows are used for commercial purposes such as office space, hospitals or clinics, and schools.
Bungalow houses that are rented to tenants go for significantly higher rents than other types of accommodations particularly when it’s in a separate compound. Bungalow exists mostly in low-density areas and within rural communities where houses are scattered, although the quality in rural areas is nothing compared to bungalows in urban areas. The quality of development of bungalows depends on the owner’s or developer’s taste, financial capacity and preference.
Importance of Bungalow House
Bungalows are easy to maintain
It is cost-effective to construct
It occupies a small portion of the land area
It can easily be converted
The demand for bungalows is high
Problems With Bungalow House
Bungalows are built for small families
It lacks enough space
The use is limited
It is built mostly by low and medium-income earners
Its market value is low compared to other high-profile buildings.
It commands lower income since it accommodates few tenants