Untitled (exterior of house and garage) c. 1950

This photograph by Robert Burian captures a typical suburban home and garage. The negative film renders the ordinary materials of post-war American construction with a stark, almost ghostly quality. The house itself appears to be made of prefabricated elements like vinyl siding and asphalt shingles, and these materials speak to the rapid expansion of suburban housing developments during that time. Such constructions were designed for speed and affordability, and are tied to the social and economic conditions of mid-century America. Consider how the use of mass-produced building components allowed for efficient construction, but also resulted in a certain uniformity and loss of individual craftsmanship. Even the lawn, neatly trimmed, implies a specific type of labor and social expectation. Ultimately, this image invites us to reflect on the relationship between materials, modes of production, and the shaping of our built environment. It encourages us to consider what these vernacular forms tell us about larger issues of labor, politics, and consumption in society.