Notes on the Geography of Oklahoma: Norman 5: Housing the Dallas GenerationSince about 1990 a new style of house, known locally as the Dallas House, has dominated new construction in Norman. Its chief characteristic is a huge attic, in most cases useless. This is combined with a wealth of fake ornamentation and lots of glass. Make default image size larger ![]() Typical of the new Norman, but on the high end. The windows are all sealed, and the divided light is all snap-on fakery. What does the porch do? Provide shade? Shelter from the rain? Not likely. Impress passersby? We hope so. ![]() The column was structurally superfluous but symbolically weighty. ![]() The same column, in context. Call it The Last Corinthian. Maybe it was a close-out model. ![]() Here, too, there seems to have been a special on columns at the building-supply house. You could get four for the price of two. Hard to pass it up, even we had to hunt for place to park the things. ![]() The wing on the right is a garage in which cars are stabled, not parked. The Dutch doors are phoney, with the upper halves fixed in place. ![]() The same house a decade later (2009). Amazing, the difference plants can make. ![]() Houses in the neighborhood wage status combat. ![]() Here it is before landscraping. ![]() Cry, "I am. I am here." ![]() Galumph, galumph. ![]() Mind the spiral chimney. ![]() Somebody read that straight lines were unattractive. Do they get credit for trying? ![]() A new east-side subdivision, built on the principle of moats for all. ![]() Do you think the Lady might make an appearance? ![]() This is what you can get for a million dollars: a rancher-cum-castle, with a tunnel leading into the keep--oops, garage. ![]() Late in 2001, Norman welcomed Ashton Grove, a gated community for dukes, barons, and football coaches. ![]() Some of the homes here were nicely proportioned. ![]() Others demonstrated the continuing popularity of stone and brick facades on wood-frame houses. ![]() Naked, this house was not so different from a--gasp!--manufactured home. ![]() Almost ready for the Hamptons? ![]() The same house a few years later. ![]() Ho, Mercutio! ![]() Rustic trim, with tight-squeeze stalls for hundreds and hundreds of horses. ![]() A portcullis is an available extra. ![]() Next door, the home of a local builder who figures that you can never have too many gables. ![]() The grand entrance. ![]() Dining. ![]() Den. ![]() Cathedral living. ![]() Pool with nymphs. |
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