Property of Mr. and Mrs. Dewees Singley | Bryn Gweled, Bucks County, Pennsylvania | Architect Robert F. Bishop & Paul Beilder | Photographer P. A. Dearborn

Building on sloping property always offers a challenge, especially for those who prefer a two-story house. One of purely conventional design too often effects an attenuated, rigid look completely alien to the land around it. That's why the Singley house, shown here, should point the way to more functional planning of such houses and, in the long run, save dollars for future owners. For the slope of the lot was drafted into action and helped keep excavation costs down to a minimum.

Horizontal siding and wide overhanging eaves give the Dewees Singley home the appearance of a small modern cottage, yet it surprisingly contains four ample bedrooms. The hillside slopes to the south with easy access to the public highway, so important to the minister owner, from the north. In designing the house, easy maintenance and low cost were guiding factors. Stock lumber sizes were used everywhere. Though flues were installed for a fireplace, this item was left to the indefinite future when the budget is more expansive. On both floors principal rooms face south and are given welcome shade by the wide-eave and balcony overhangs. Some exceptional features of Its design are the wide balcony and well-protected terrace facing south. These add greatly to the flexibility of plan and make outdoor living an integral part of the house's make-up. Ample closet space, so often neglected in a small house, is found in each and every room. With a minimum of excavation a large utility room was built into the hill itself. These lower walls are of cinder block, solid contrast to the completely insulated frame construction above.