Is there a name for this architectural style?

[-]

ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

Most not answering question and just trying to be funny despite reminder to not just leave jokes. An answer is however available. So locked.

Reply

[-]

There was only a couple of major developers building cookie-cutter estates across the UK in the 90s, so you get a lot of this. Not dissimilar to every 50s-60s council estate looking them same, except these were for-profit instead. I'd guess their use in the movie was precisely *because* they're so middle-class average.

Reply

[-]

CharacterUse@reddit

There are also plenty of parts of suburbia which are 1930s terraced or semi-detached houses, all originally identical. Or 1910s, or 1890s etc. They're not quite as obvious because the intervening decades have seen them modified and personalised, but the basic structure is the same. Developers building copies of the same design whenever there was an area opening up which needed housing (e.g. for new industry) is nothing new.

Reply

[-]

AgentCirceLuna@reddit

This is a bloody council estate? This looks beautiful

Reply

[-]

SeedOfTelperion@reddit

No, they didn't say it was a council estate. They said the style was similar in that council estates were bland, cookie cutter houses built like mass produced things have always been. This house was middle class, but still mass produced. They were seen as posh by people who wanted to be posh. Built in the very late 80's to early/mid 90's to appeal to people who could afford fairly decent furniture, but not the house to go around it. A bit similar to today where people have cheap houses and a 70" flat screen tv - they can afford the TV but not the house around it. The house was a perfect fit for the Dursleys. Harry Potter was set in the mid 90's, and the Dursleys were middle class. The house was full of expensive furniture, crockery and the latest 'stuff' that the kids weren't allowed on. I suspect they even had a front room full of the best stuff that only ever got used when people visited. And a front garden you weren't allowed to play in in case the neighbours saw you having fun. Or was that my parents house....?

Reply

[-]

UnkleTomCobley@reddit

Bit of a sidenote but I had a chuckle at ‘flatscreen’ TV. I still keep hearing this, normally by judgemental types, and wonder where one gets a non-flatscreen telly in 2025. Must the have-nots rely on a massive unit from the 1980s in wooden casing? I promise this isn’t a dig at OP BTW. Just an observation.

Reply

[-]

AD-SKYOBSIDION@reddit

I guess a curved screen isn’t flat?

Reply

[-]

ThatThingInTheCorner@reddit

Housing estate is not the same as council estate

Reply

[-]

CeePee1@reddit

Housing estate, not council estate I'm assuming given the "for profit" reference.

Reply

[-]

Jeggasyn@reddit

Hitchcockian

Reply

[-]

NebCrushrr@reddit

Grow house

Reply

[-]

FumbleCrop@reddit

Parliamentary.

Reply

[-]

Eastern-Professor874@reddit

I see what you did there

Reply

[-]

Ilivedtherethrowaway@reddit

Underrated. I hope flocks of upvotes come your way.

Reply

[-]

Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

My first thought too. Or Hogwarts is having trouble with their messaging system

Reply

[-]

mhoulden@reddit

[RFC 2549](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2549.html) covers message backlogs but it can get messy.

Reply

[-]

badhoneyjuju@reddit

Took this pic moments ago, I’m in Tokyo, Japan https://preview.redd.it/4ogpwulnzy1g1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=976d1219a1c694325c44dd994887a6286900dede

Reply

[-]

PowerfulIron7117@reddit

Astroturf 😭😭

Reply

[-]

WillyPete@reddit

No need for a shed if you don't need a mower.

Reply

[-]

HollowWanderer@reddit (OP)

Yes, this is the Dursley's house from Harry Potter. However, I have seen houses that look just like it, with the same brick patterns and tile colours, in completely different places. Is there a name for this style of house, and was it linked to a certain time period?

Reply

[-]

jaminbob@reddit

That's precisely the point. It is the blandest most generic house you could possibly think of across England. It's Bovis(or other) 80s mass housing estate.

Reply

[-]

New-Replacement-7638@reddit

Mr and Mrs Dursley were perfectly ordinary, thank you very much.

Reply

[-]

OMGItsCheezWTF@reddit

Yeah that was what the books went for, a place so utterly banal and bland you would never notice it stand out for any reason. In the films they even made sure the neighbours all had the exact same make and model of car (although different colours) The idea of anything being different or standing out compared to their neighbours houses was anathema to the Dursleys.

Reply

[-]

OMGItsCheezWTF@reddit

Although a fun little thing I just noticed, the opening scene also has the neighbours having the exact same make and model of car, but a different make and model to this scene! https://preview.redd.it/k7qe5o7vjz1g1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97d40d735b8f7dd1d822c7de3ff8e0273cb75e7c

Reply

[-]

crucible@reddit

Yup, they’re earlier Vauxhall Cavaliers so the predecessor models to the Vectras in the other pic.

Reply

[-]

OMGItsCheezWTF@reddit

Ahh, so not a mistake, I forgot the time jump between the two scenes (been a long time since I've seen the films and I was only looking at it to grab screenshots, not actually follow the plot)

Reply

[-]

WillyPete@reddit

They do it in all of the movies that have a shot of the front of the house. All the "muggles" on this road have the same make and model car, just different colours. They simply change the model each movie, showing how they're all likely leased and all trying to "keep up with the Joneses".

Reply

[-]

Humble-Park-5461@reddit

"Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."

Reply

[-]

crucible@reddit

See also the car (Vauxhall Vectra estate). Ford reportedly declined WB’s request for a dozen Mondeos.

Reply

[-]

Ecstatic_Wall5159@reddit

Charles church

Reply

[-]

sshiverandshake@reddit

I knew his daughter, she was kind of sweet and funny, but in an extremely wealthy but naive way.

Reply

[-]

thetoastmonster@reddit

Charlotte?

Reply

[-]

ashyboi5000@reddit

That's funnier than it should be.

Reply

[-]

sshiverandshake@reddit

No, they just share the same surname.

Reply

[-]

itsapotatosalad@reddit

If you notice, they all had the same car parked outside too. A boring Vauxhall, the same with the houses they were the most typically vague 90’s British estate, not really committing to any style.

Reply

[-]

Sage-Freke-@reddit

I would say it’s a 1980s house. Similar to my childhood home, although that was red brick link-detached with no cross-cross pattern on the windows.

Reply

[-]

Puzzleheaded-Bug-223@reddit

So, nothing like your childhood home then

Reply

[-]

Sage-Freke-@reddit

Well as they are both 1980s, two storey, linked detached gabled houses I would say they are. What you’ve said is like saying two cars that are the same model are nothing like each other because the colour is different.

Reply

[-]

Puzzleheaded-Bug-223@reddit

WeLl tHeY bOtH hOuSeS

Reply

[-]

popeofwigan@reddit

😂😂😂

Reply

[-]

DameKumquat@reddit

1980s new housing estate. It's not even mock Tudor, it's just mass market.

Reply

[-]

MeringueComplex5035@reddit

With those fake lattice over the windows, eugh, so tacky

Reply

[-]

Blue_View_1217@reddit

Yet still nowhere near as tacky as a 2025 white rendered new build.

Reply

[-]

SilyLavage@reddit

Not *really*. It’s a sort of 80s version of [Stockbroker Tudor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockbroker's_Tudor), itself a cheap and repetitive version of more accomplished Tudor Revival buildings.

Reply

[-]

togtogtog@reddit

In order to be any sort of mock Tudor, it would need to have at least one fake beam on the facade. This is just plain brick. It would be cheap 80s housing estate if anything.

Reply

[-]

jtr99@reddit

May I suggest Can't-Be-Arsed-To-Be-Mock-Tudor?

Reply

[-]

SilyLavage@reddit

The house references Tudor architecture, albeit very weakly. The windows are the giveaway.

Reply

[-]

Dodo_Repellent@reddit

I work in pest control - those trees growing up against the side/rear of the building should be cut back a bit. Rats or mice can climb them, and find a way in at the eaves.

Reply

[-]

EquivalentThese@reddit

Privet

Reply

[-]

NotABrummie@reddit

Bog-standard post-war suburbia. A stripped-down answer to the neo-edwardian styles of interwar suburban growth.

Reply

[-]

BritinTEXAS11@reddit

Generally these 1980s new builds were much better built than today’s version, especially by builders like Charles Church.

Reply

[-]

Snow-Crash-42@reddit

Someone's not been paying their government taxes for a while...

Reply

[-]

OdgeHam@reddit

Nopostonsundays renaissance era

Reply

[-]

Sea_Pomegranate8229@reddit

Executive rabbit hutch

Reply

[-]

AnonBG2689@reddit

All it needs is lots of tissue paper draped all over it.

Reply

[-]

platdujour@reddit

Twithaus

Reply

[-]

lena_vernon@reddit

“New build” even though they’re old

Reply

[-]

BastardsCryinInnit@reddit

Yep, i would also call this a new build!

Reply

[-]

daddy-dj@reddit

I read this in Kirstie Allsopp's voice.

Reply

[-]

BastardsCryinInnit@reddit

Not really, usually categorised by the decade it was buily. I would call this a "1980s new build" or "80s estate". And yes, I'm aware the 80s isnt exactly "new" build anymore....

Reply

[-]

TedGetsSnickelfritz@reddit

No post on Sundays

Reply

[-]

MentalFred@reddit

Best day of the week

Reply

[-]

Edlar_89@reddit

Owl-adorned

Reply

[-]

thefirstmatt@reddit

Owlist

Reply

[-]

leffe186@reddit

Colowlnial.

Reply

[-]

SevereAstronaut6866@reddit

Owly

Reply

[-]

HairyHobbitfoot@reddit

Barrats

Reply

[-]

KingForceHundred@reddit

Probably a lone voice here but I think it’s okay, certainly not ugly or offensive IMO.

Reply

[-]

Hungry_Environment27@reddit

It's a grow, harry

Reply

[-]

ooh_bit_of_bush@reddit

Didn't know Harry Potter was growing in the attic.

Reply

[-]

bsturrock@reddit

Harry Pothead?

Reply

[-]

VodkaMargarine@reddit

Magic isn't real they are all just baked and think it is

Reply

[-]

swoopstheowl@reddit

Gotta get them galleons some how.

Reply

[-]

reddituserlooser@reddit

Shit British build

Reply

[-]

George_Salt@reddit

The basic form is link-detached (where otherwise detached houses are attached by their garages). The style is generic British 1980s suburban - the dark stained hardwood windows with the mock lead diamond panes, and the brickweave driveway are all typical.

Reply

[-]

Far-Efficiency-6294@reddit

Hitchcockian

Reply

[-]

PinkyDixx@reddit

Its about to have a pebbledashed coating added...

Reply

[-]

brtrzznk@reddit

Muggle core

Reply

[-]

Klutzy_Security_9206@reddit

The Barratt Home

Reply

[-]

Glockass@reddit

Mugglebuild

Reply

[-]

Intelligent-One7440@reddit

Hitchcock.

Reply

[-]

buddwizard@reddit

British shitbox

Reply

[-]

Artist_Beginning@reddit

Ireland here, we limp it in with a heap of other styles we call “English” sometimes we add shite to the end of that too. Its really odd when you come across one over here it looks so out of place, like crossing the boarder up north, the house style instantly changes to english in some areas.

Reply

[-]

ThatThingInTheCorner@reddit

This is honestly one of my least favourite styles of houses. Houses in the 80s and 90s are so boring looking

Reply

[-]

matore21@reddit

Vectra B Estate

Reply

[-]

explodinghat@reddit

One of my favourite little details of the first film is that the car on every driveway is a Cavalier when Harry gets brought to Privet Drive, then a few years later they've all been upgraded to Vectras

Reply

[-]

Eric-The-Cleric@reddit

Muggle

Reply

[-]

obedevs@reddit

Owl deco

Reply

[-]

Upbeat_Map_348@reddit

I’m have a friend who used to live in Bracknell and his house was identical to this. To me it was a typical 80’s or 90’s new build estate design. Identikit houses built en masse.

Reply

[-]

HugePatFenis@reddit

I grew up in an identical house in Hampshire, they are Charles Church houses.

Reply

[-]

Logbotherer99@reddit

Box farm

Reply

[-]

OzzyinKernow@reddit

Bovis Box

Reply

[-]

Tyrannosaurus-Shirt@reddit

British 'Smpsons'

Reply

[-]

electrostatic_jump@reddit

"boring"

Reply

[-]

Alert-Smile-1783@reddit

What’s with all the AI owls?

Reply

[-]

Fat-Al-90@reddit

It's the birds

Reply

[-]

NealMcCoy@reddit

Brhoootalist

Reply

[-]

Aaaahfuckit@reddit

My favourite answer 👏

Reply

[-]

Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Barratts and Redrow who were major builders in the 90s which is about when I think built used "Classical" and "Heritage" for the style as it aped older styles with modern bricks.

Reply

[-]

Gauntlets28@reddit

This definitely feels like a Barratts home, and it's in the right area for it too.

Reply

[-]

PetitPxl@reddit

Brookside-closeian

Reply

[-]

Autofill1127320@reddit

That just sucked me down the memory hole La

Reply

[-]

KingDaveRa@reddit

Don't look under the patio.

Reply

[-]

SirDigbyChickenCeser@reddit

And get rid of those blue straps you tied stuff to the roof of your car with.

Reply

[-]

READ-THIS-LOUD@reddit

Showing your age there pal 😂😂

Reply

[-]

Ok-Trip7585@reddit

Ahaha yes! 😂

Reply

[-]

Quirky-Respond93@reddit

I came here to say this 😂

Reply

[-]

this-guy-@reddit

At this time of year when there are lots of birds on roosting warmly on the roof the style is usually called "grow-op" https://preview.redd.it/nw5or1bq5x1g1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ea7fad77ae2463603fdaf8cdc5bc56827281d0a

Reply

[-]

LittleSadRufus@reddit

My first thought was a weed farm, until I saw they were owls.

Reply

[-]

ComprehensiveApple14@reddit

Snitch-birds always make me laugh.

Reply

[-]

Kudosnotkang@reddit

I think uncle vernon’s got a grow farm on .

Reply

[-]

geckograham@reddit

Fictional?

Reply

[-]

Milky_Mint@reddit

Definitely real. In Bracknell. Right here… https://maps.app.goo.gl/sRiWDYcqQEN6AAWL9

Reply

[-]

Chungaroo22@reddit

Bracknell's not real. It's just a myth they tell people in Wokingham to scare them..

Reply

[-]

PrinceBert@reddit

It's true, if you actually drive down the London road after the Coppid beach you just appear in Ascot instead. Such a relief to not be in Beacknell. Source - I pretended to live in Bracknell for 30 years.

Reply

[-]

AgentCirceLuna@reddit

Lmao the pose of that guy

Reply

[-]

Milky_Mint@reddit

Preserved for eternity

Reply

[-]

jeroenemans@reddit

Nouveau Itchquoque

Reply

[-]

Thin-Efficiency1600@reddit

I'm sure this is Burdiehouse in Edinburgh

Reply

[-]

Automatic-Scale-7572@reddit

I think that's a chain restaurant called Hooters.

Reply

[-]

Strangest-Smell@reddit

…well played. Superb work

Reply

[-]

kahnindustries@reddit

"New Build" Persimmon is still shitting these out today (But on smaller plots)

Reply

[-]

dwellerinthedark@reddit

Depressed suburbia? No offence meant. I grew up in a house like this, and it was depressing and a bit damp.

Reply

[-]

MickySouris@reddit

Shit

Reply

[-]

f_o_z@reddit

James and the Giant Peach

Reply

[-]

Notta_Doggo@reddit

Uoper working class Non council Surrey suburb

Reply

[-]

Icy_Consideration409@reddit

In parts of London, it’s called 700k for a box.

Reply

[-]

Steppy20@reddit

That's cheap for a house like that in most parts of London.

Reply

[-]

Ikea_Mann@reddit

Inbetweeners aesthetic

Reply

[-]

AccomplishedRice7427@reddit

Bracknell chic

Reply

[-]

mmoonbelly@reddit

Durslian? (Though not sure if Dursley, or even Chipping Sodbury have those houses. Yate maybe?? )

Reply

[-]

No-Jump-9601@reddit

Facsimilian An exact copy, produced to a budget by corporations without imagination, for profit.

Reply

[-]

J-Imma-CR@reddit

British crapulence period

Reply

[-]

frenchie6694@reddit

Owlery I believe

Reply

[-]

Inkblot7001@reddit

Is that from Harry Potter ? If so, it is a "Dursley".

Reply

[-]

KnOOll@reddit

is that harry’s uncle vernon’s house

Reply

[-]

nra43vr@reddit

I was watching this last night on itv2

Reply

[-]

Savings_Brick_4587@reddit

Rabb ithutch

Reply

[-]

mal20729@reddit

birb

Reply

[-]

jhughes1986@reddit

The green farmer

Reply

[-]

ejac7@reddit

Nest

Reply

[-]

teedeeguantru@reddit

FATTY OWLS

Reply

[-]

PerceptionGreat2439@reddit

FLOWERY TWATS

Reply

[-]

PumpedUpPatek@reddit

owl'ey bad design? I'll grab my coat.

Reply

[-]

vaskopopa@reddit

Shithouse. I lived in two identical ones in different cities. In america they are called cookie cutter houses.

Reply

[-]

baldieman@reddit

Hitchcockian....

Reply

[-]

SheffDus@reddit

Ubiquitous and crap

Reply

[-]

MegaMoofs@reddit

Bird

Reply

[-]

noiseboy87@reddit

Owld English

Reply

[-]

RandomiseUsr0@reddit

Barrett Houses https://youtu.be/XUwUp-D_VV0

Reply

[-]

Difficult_General_62@reddit

Birdhouse

Reply

[-]

Change_is_a_verb@reddit

Pottercore

Reply

[-]

sdmgix@reddit

I would call it a Broseley Estate house

Reply

[-]

EruditeKetchup@reddit

Little Whinging.

Reply

[-]

Weaubleau@reddit

Scrotelothian

Reply

[-]

teedeeguantru@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/qc54sjybqx1g1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf72badee852deea51d7fde40a7e8b03cf8d2806

Reply

[-]

MGMishMash@reddit

No-Post-modern

Reply

[-]

blindpilotv1@reddit

Parliament Style /S

Reply

[-]

XRevolution-71@reddit

Owlly crap!

Reply

[-]

MattDubh@reddit

That's a LOT of drones. r/BirdsArentReal

Reply

[-]

zombue1@reddit

Owls.

Reply

[-]

West_Category_4634@reddit

Shite

Reply

[-]

CharlieSolace@reddit

Unaffordabullshit

Reply

[-]

bribri4120@reddit

Hitchcock!

Reply

[-]

Wrekh@reddit

Birdemian

Reply

[-]

Questjon@reddit

"Link detached" if you're referring to mostly detached houses joined by a garage.

Reply

[-]

Conveth@reddit

Modern link...at least the term for house-garage-house-garage... Its basically 1970s terracing!

Reply

[-]

CronusCronusCronus@reddit

70s really? Looks late 80s/early 90s to me.

Reply

[-]

Sage-Freke-@reddit

Link-detached.

Reply

[-]

GeggingIn@reddit

“Spirit of the Cotswolds”

Reply

[-]

TipAdditional4625@reddit

Harry Potter

Reply

[-]

Nervous_Split_3176@reddit

there's a house in this pic?

Reply

[-]

Eoin_McLove@reddit

I swear we had this exact post a few months ago? I might be going mad.

Reply

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - When replying to submission/post please **make genuine efforts to answer the question given**. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*

Reply

Reply to Post

176 Comments