house

A house is a building used as a dwelling for humans, providing shelter, privacy, and security. It is designed to be a permanent or semi-permanent residence, distinct from temporary shelters or commercial structures. Houses vary widely in size, construction, and style across cultures and climates.

A typical house comprises structural elements such as a foundation, load-bearing walls, a roof, floors, and openings for doors and windows. Interiors are divided into functional spaces including living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage areas. Utilities may include electricity, water supply, drainage, heating, and climate control.

Construction materials range from wood, brick, stone, concrete, and steel to newer composites. Methods include site-built, modular, and prefabricated construction. Building codes and standards govern safety, structural integrity, fire protection, and accessibility.

Houses come in many forms, from single-family detached homes to townhouses, duplexes, and apartments. Architectural styles reflect regional traditions and historical periods, such as colonial, Victorian, craftsman, modernist, and contemporary designs. Some houses emphasize energy efficiency or sustainable features like solar, insulation, and passive solar design.

The concept of housing intersects with economics, policy, and culture. Ownership models, rental markets, zoning, and urban planning influence where and how people live. Housing affordability, quality, and resilience to hazards are ongoing public concerns in many regions.

Historically, human dwellings evolved from caves and huts to masonry houses and, in the 20th and 21st centuries, to high-rise apartments and suburban suburbs. The architecture and form of a house reflect climate, available materials, technology, and social organization.