Foursquare Model

The Foursquare Model was designed by Betsy Pettit and Joe Lstiburek, who also designed two other models at Prairie Crossing together. The Foursquare’s box shape and height make it particularly energy efficient. It is the second most popular house design in Prairie Crossing.

President of Building Science Corporation (Boston), Betsy Pettit has over 30 years of professional experience in architecture. She manages BSC’s Building America project that has provided whole system designs for over 3,000 high-performance houses nationwide. Her designs have set standards for resource efficient housing around the country. Her husband Joe Lstiburek is the founding principal of Building Sciences Corporation. His work has had a lasting impact on building codes and practices throughout the world.

The Foursquare is one of two models in Prairie Crossing named for a building style; the other is the Prairie School. American Foursquares began appearing in urban and rural neighborhoods across the country and in Canada around 1900. It became a popular farmhouse style once the westward expansion of the railroads made standardized lumber available in the heartland. The Foursquare remains one of the most widespread vernacular house designs.

Research and information courtesy of Suzanne Mynard, Prairie Crossing resident