Bunkhouses

A bunkhouse is a dormitory-style building used to house workers in shared sleeping quarters. The interior typically features rows of bunk beds, simple storage such as lockers or shelves, and common facilities including kitchens, dining areas, bathrooms, and laundry spaces. Bunkhouses are designed to accommodate large numbers of staff with economical use of space and maintenance.

Historically, bunkhouses emerged in frontier economies of the 19th and early 20th centuries, notably in mining camps, lumber camps, cattle ranches, and railroad construction sites in North America and parts of the British Empire. They were later adopted in offshore and onshore oil and gas operations, fishing fleets, and large-scale construction projects. The term can also apply to similar workers’ dormitories in other industries and in temporary shifting setups.

Layout and amenities vary by site and period. Traditional bunkhouses emphasize economical use of space: multiple bunks per room, shared bathrooms and kitchens, and communal recreation areas. More modern versions may include privacy screens, partitions, or individual lockers, and may separate accommodations by gender or shift pattern. Fire safety, ventilation, heating, and sanitation standards are central concerns in regulations governing bunkhouses.

Regulation and policy differ by jurisdiction but commonly address occupancy limits, building codes, fire safety, and access to sanitary facilities. In many places, bunkhouses are treated as temporary or workforce housing rather than permanent dwellings, which influences rights and welfare provisions for occupants.

Bunkhouses have played a significant role in labor organization and industrial logistics, reflecting the needs of itinerant workforces. As housing standards have improved, many traditional bunkhouses have been replaced or upgraded with purpose-built camp housing offering greater privacy and amenities.