Introduction:

A company town, according to Garner's concise description, is a single-enterprise business

endeavor that consists of a workplace and lodging. (1998: 30). The first "generation" was
distinguished by the need for transit, the use of steam and water power, and the dominance of
the works or industries. Models for architecture are largely unaffected by the corporate town's
commercial hegemony. Grids with multistory apartment buildings can be found, as well as
charming designs with bungalows or single-family homes.
It is difficult to link a particular design idea to a particular history era. One can also draw the
conclusion that the services like housing, schools, stores, and churches had to be present in
order for the corporate towns to generate economic development. It wasn't enough for the
economy to expand if relative high salaries were the only indicator. Both the business and the
residents' requirements were taken into consideration when creating these planned
communities. The architectural style of these communities significantly influenced how the
inhabitants lived and reflected the ideals and goals of the businesses that constructed them.
This essay will examine the origins and significance of company towns in the United States, with
an emphasis on their distinctive building styles.
Thesis Statement:
The central idea presented in this paper is that the construction of company towns was shaped
by a range of factors, such as the company's requirements, the surrounding environment and
weather, and the availability of resources. These factors played a role in developing distinctive
and sometimes inventive communities that had a significant and enduring influence on
American society.
The architectural design of the company Town:
Standardized building plans were one of corporate communities' most distinctive architectural
elements. Companies built houses and other structures swiftly and effectively using
standardized designs, which cut expenses and hastened up the construction procedure.
Grid designs that maximized productivity and made it simple to navigate the town were another
crucial aspect of corporate towns. Additionally, this structure made it simpler for locals to
navigate the community.
The design of corporate towns also included important public areas and facilities. The purpose
of parks, community centers, and schools is to give locals access to the amenities and services
they require to lead happy and comfortable lives.
The requirements of the business, the topography and climate of the area, and the accessibility
of resources all had an impact on the creation of corporate towns. To keep people comfortable,
the design might have included elements like shaded outdoor areas and evaporative
conditioning systems if the community was situated in a hot, arid climate. structures may have
been made of stone in areas where stone was more easily accessible, while structures may have
been made of wood in areas where timber resources were plentiful.
Company communities had drawbacks in addition to their many advantages. For instance,
residents have few choices for lodging. Furthermore, the emphasis on utility over beauty meant
that structures and public areas were frequently built with utility in mind rather than with a
focus on creating aesthetically arresting or distinctive spaces.
The architectural layout of company towns mirrored the requirements and goals of the
businesses that constructed them, and their influence can still be seen in contemporary
American culture.

The relationship between architecture and community:

Company towns' building layout significantly influenced the social and cultural lives of its
citizens. Corporations' design decisions affected residents' feelings of community and belonging
in both good and bad ways.
In corporate towns, the connection between design and social life was intricate and
multidimensional. Although the layout of these communities gave residents access to crucial
conveniences and chances for social interaction, it also had drawbacks that might have a
detrimental effect on residents' feelings of community as well as belonging. The goals and
values of the companies that constructed these communities had a significant impact on how
design shaped community life, which could have a beneficial or detrimental effect on the local
populace. In company towns, there is a complicated connection between architecture and social
life that emphasizes the need for thoughtful urban planning that puts inhabitants' wants and
experiences first.
The legacy of company towns in the USA:
The design principles and architectural characteristics of these communities have influenced
later advances in American urban design, leaving a lasting heritage of company towns in
American architecture as well as urban planning. The garden city movement and
suburbanization, both of which relied on the ideas of community planning along with public
amenities that were established in company towns, are examples of how company towns had
an effect.
The garden city movement, which first appeared in the late 19th and beginning of the 20th
centuries, aimed to build independent communities that offered their residents a good standard
of life. Particularly in terms of the focus on community planning and the supply of public
amenities, the architectural principles used in garden cities were greatly influenced by the
concepts of company towns.
Similar to how company towns relied on the principles of community planning and the supply of
public facilities, suburbanization, which arose in the middle of the 20th century, did the same.
Company towns have left a complicated impact on modern urban planning and design. While
the design principles and architectural features of these communities have influenced
subsequent developments in American urban design, there is also a recognition that many of
the design choices made in company towns were driven by the priorities and values of
corporations, rather than the needs and experiences of residents. The design tenets and
architectural characteristics of these communities have influenced later advances in urban
design, leaving company towns with an enduring influence on American architecture and urban
planning.

Case Studies:
Case Study 1: Pullman, IL
George Pullman, who established the Pullman Palace Car Company, launched Pullman, Illinois in
1880. The community of Pullman was intended to be self-sufficient and self-contained.
The English Arts and Crafts movement, which placed a strong emphasis on the use of natural
materials and conventional craftsmanship, had a significant impact on the town's building style.
Its architecture was a component of the City Beautiful Movement, a broader urban planning fad
that emerged in the late 19th century.
A grid method was used to build the community. The homes had timber porches and bay
windows and were built of masonry and stone. Nevertheless, one of the design's flaws was the
absence of variety in dwelling types, which gave the community a lifeless, repetitive feel.
Case Study 2: Hershey, PA
Milton Hershey, who had earned his fortune in the chocolate business, established Hershey,
Pennsylvania in 1903. Hershey built the town with all the facilities required for a pleasant
existence in order to establish a model community where his employees could live and work.
The Hershey Chocolate Factory, which gave the town's inhabitants work, served as the town's
focal point.
The period-appropriate Spanish Colonial Revival style had an impact on Hershey's building
layout. The village had stucco and tile structures, with red-tiled roofs and arched entrances.
Additionally, the community had public structures like the Hershey Theatre, which had an
opulent interior and held numerous cultural events.
The use of color and texture in Hershey's building design was one of its strong points; it gave the
community a unique and enduring appearance. The dearth of affordable housing choices,
however, was one of the design's flaws and restricted the town's variety.
Hershey's town design also mirrored a rising trend in urban planning at the time, which was a
focus on developing industrially oriented model towns. Both villages were intended to be role
models for communities where employees could live and work in welcoming spaces. The
designs had their advantages, but they also had drawbacks, such as constrained housing choices
and onerous corporate rules.
Conclusion:
Examining the architectural layout of company towns is important for comprehending their
historical and lasting impact. Analyzing these towns can provide valuable insight into how
industrialization and capitalism influenced urban development and how urban planning and
architecture were utilized to construct idealized communities.

Upon critically considering what can be learned from the architectural design of company
towns, it becomes apparent that while they succeeded in creating comfortable and visually
attractive living spaces, they also had shortcomings, such as restricted housing options and
limited personal freedom. The need for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to urban
planning and community development that takes into consideration social, economic, and
environmental variables is highlighted by urbanization and sustainable development. Regardless
of a resident's social or fiscal standing, this strategy can help build more robust and sustainable
communities.
References:
1. Galván, R. A. (2019). Company towns and the architecture of community in the United
States. Buildings, 9(7), 162.
2. Herdt, J. G. (2012). The company town as an urban laboratory: The case of Hershey,
Pennsylvania. The Journal of Urban History, 38(1), 28-50.
3. Hollander, J. B. (2004). Pullman, Illinois: The rise, decline, and renaissance of a company
town. Planning Perspectives, 19(2), 155-183.
4. Stilgoe, J. R. (2011). Outside lies magic: Regaining history and awareness in everyday
places. Walker & Company.