German Houses vs. American Houses: Construction, Design & Scale

Take it from an architect: German Houses and American Houses are very different. ...But why? From construction methods to form and scale, we take you through a fun exploration of residential design and the policies that shape them.

Looking to learn more about housing in Germany and the USA? Check out these great videos:

Feli from Germany:
Passport Two:

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👉Quick Jump to Your Favorite Topic:

00:00 Intro
00:30 In Today's Video
03:44 WHICH ONES should we compare?
05:56 The American Dream & Single-Family McMansions
10:02 German Rental Market & Multi-Family Housing
13:59 USA Wood Frame Construction
16:34 German Homes are Built to Last (SOLID Construction)
21:52 Coming Up on the Next Episode....
23:05 Laugh with Us

Episode 38 | #housing and #architecture in the USA and Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany | Filmed January 20, 2021

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🛵 Our 101 TOP TRAVEL TIPS:

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Originally from the Midwest of the USA, we moved to the #blackforest in 2013 and quickly embraced #expatlife. As American expats living in #Germany, things weren't always easy, but we've grown to love our life in Germany. We started this #travelvlog​ to share our experiences with friends and family, and to help those who are interested in moving overseas! Whether you are interested in moving abroad, working abroad, studying abroad, raising a family abroad, or just want to #traveleurope, we're here to give you a first person look at what lies ahead. 😊🎥🌎

[amandanoel]

When we visited this fall, we were SHOCKED at the fact that we couldn’t hear anybody. It really felt like we were living in a single family home honestly.

[Balleehuuu]

I would state that one additional point why renting is so popular in Germany is, because the protection of the rights of renter is much higher and for families in particular.

[paulmakinson]

As a European traveling to the US and visiting family living there, I got the impression that houses were built the way you make movie or theater sets. It looks luxurious but you get the impression your could poke a finger through the walls. Unfortunately, french building companies are beginning to copy the US model to reduce costs and maximize profits. I live in a traditional house built in 1885. It will still be there in 100 years. So even if CO2 emissions are higher to build a solid structure, it will last way longer. I believe that is more sustainable.

[performingartist]

I'm sure you and many of your subscribers know the Not Just Bikes YouTube channel that really goes in depth into the massive consequences that come about from the US obsession with larger houses in sprawling subdivisions and the absolute dependence on cars that that obsession drives and how that also drives city planning and zoning. It's a really good channel for anyone looking for comparisons between the States and Europe on a more macro city level.

[EyMannMachHin]

There is one thing about "solid construction" vs "wood frame structure" that has always been nagging me. When you see pictures of a tornado aftermath, it has practically levelled the whole area. And I wonder how it would look, if the houses were build to German building code. I mean, my gut says something like: "Oh yeah, the roofs might have blown off, windows might be smashed, but the rest of the structure should still be sound". But maybe I underestimate the actual force of a tornado.

[HippasosofMetapontum]

you guys do the best job about America vs Germany so far, thanks guys

[stevefambro]

One of the things I noticed while living in Germany is that the individual houses tend to have very small, purposely small “front yards”, and the backyards can be an unexpected paradise of massive size where all sorts of plants and gardening occurs. In the US our front yards are just for show- A total waste where they could instead be growing food.

[dr.j]

Great videos! I am an ex-pat American living in Hamburg for the last 40 some-odd years. I started this adventure in Freiburg, where I met my wife all those many years ago. So many memories when I watch.
One question for you: Are you planning on discussing the environmental aspects of housing? You already mentioned the higher energetic costs of “solid construction”, how about the choice of heating system, solar power, insulation levels, etc.? I know my sisters in Texas have huge homes with massive air conditioning units, lots of sun, but never considered solar power.
Love to hear your experiences and your take on the situation. Chers, Doc.

[mcfermulen]

What you say does not only apply to Germany, in fact this applies to the whole of central Europe. You do notice differences in building styles and materials in the warmer and colder parts of Europe. I myself have built a single-family house on a piece of land of 16 acres. Europeans see this as an investment for their old age. The prices of the land and houses have risen enormously in recent years, it is no longer possible for many to build a house themselves. That's why so many people are renting now. In my case I am very happy that I built myself and not rent. My wife passed away April 2020, I just retired. If I had to rent now, I would not be able to pay this with my current income.

Grtz, from Belgium.

[stancroot]

Hi guys, I'm a Brit having lived here in Germany for 10 years and similar questions have often popped up in my mind, plus I'm often asked why the British do things differently and why so in the States. On the subject of 'elephant in the room' and 'historical events', my experience is that you don't need to tip toe around the subject.Ive been teaching here for ten years and my adult students have shown no reluctance to discuss historical events, particularly since they impact on many cultural beliefs for example views on debt and financial management. You of course have already experienced the typical attitude and 'trust' of bargeld!! Ive always assumed that house construction has been largely dictated by the climate and availability of raw materials. I will be in treated is hearing your comments on cellars which were quite common in the UK but no longer so, I assume purely to reduce the construction costs. Whereas I have always found them immensely useful but used quite differently to my American friends who think of them more of in terms of a 'Den'. There is of course a bunker element in this discussion but I'm not sure how significant this is. Really looking forward to following this series from a couple of the dream.
PS I also love living here and I have been really impressed how my neighbours and friends have helped me integrate into the community.
PPS Still haven't totally got the hang of giving priority to vehicles coming out from the right from what to me seems like minor roads but I'm getting there. It also confuses people when I thank them for giving way to me when clearly I had the priority. manners hey!

[DripsOne]

As a native German who always wanted to live in the US its always suprising to see what benefits living in germany actually give me

[RubyRhod]

Here in germany contruction time went down a lot in the past maybe 2 decades. It basically comes down to using less water wherever possible. Less water means less time to cure and dry. 10 month on average is quite a good number.
by the way, loved to hear you say Kalksandstein and Wärmedämmverbundsystem ;-)

[swanpride]

Might have been important to add that in Germany you CAN deduct the interest for your property, if you rent it out (or plan to rent it out). The German system basically favours the building of houses with the intention to rent out units, not people buying houses for themselves. Which is part of the reason why there are so many smaller multi family houses with something between four and eight units. There was a time when building this kind of house was a good investment, you could life in one unit yourself and rent out the others, hence offsetting the costs considerably.

[laden-ist-zu]

I love the "fachwerkhaus" style.. the house we bought is around 400 years old and originally was a barn and housed pigs aswell as cows .. .. it got converted to a house around 60 years ago and intensly renovated around 15 years aaand now iam subscriber number 13.401 xD

[Laserfrankie]

German house market is nuts at the moment. When I bought my house in 2012 - a 140 sqm terraced end house (which was by the way built in 7 months) - it cost me 185, 000 Euros (kitchen, tiled floor, carpets, wall painting, etc. included). Right now, it's estimated to be worth around 350, 000 Euros. So, ten years ago was probably the best time to buy real estate in Germany. If you want to do it now, you're basically screwed. There are regions in Germany where even a head physician of a hospital won't be able to get a loan for financing a house.

[lbb]

One thing, that culture shocked me on my last US trip is the extremely poor workmanship in construction.From new interior builds in Baltimore and NYC brownstone buildings to the suburbs: Cutting corners everywhere. From let's say adventurous public wiring to the silicon beads in the bathroom, from uneven floors to visible corner-cutting on repair jobs of tin roofs to bad water pressure. About every place I saw at least 5 to 6 issues that would get a German craftsman sued.

[venkatadurvasula]

This channel is highly underrated, they make great videos with a complete holistic point of view, I hope more people discover this channel

[Machtmirdochegal]

Your german pronounciation is really coming along amazingly.
German construction generally really is about being built to last, my grandfather luckily didn't do much renovating in our old family home, it was my grandmother's family farm from 1797 and while it was an odd time capsule it was real solid and we could sell it really well to a roofer with a large family that already bought a few old homes to sell them after renovation who also brought the farming property back to life the way it deserved. We now live in a new red brick house in the north that really is energy efficient and economical but still has the old charm and we love the floor heating and not having to be half trained at everything to not constantly call in our handy man because grandpa liked to do a lot of handywork himself in the newer family home and we had to have it fixed later to really be safe for everyone.

[cecilj]

As a German carpenter, seeing how American houses are build always give me hives

[anni]

As an Interior Design Student in Germany I often watch YouTube videos and Netflix Shows about Interior Design. Most of them actually are American. Seeing those shows made me realize how different Interior Design is being approached in the US.
I would love to hear what topics were part of your studies and what you learned to become a good Interior Designer.