> This is a traditional and eminently sensible approach that has been lost in the "McMansion" era.

Kate Wagner (of McMansionHell blog fame) gives a pretty good definition of what a McMansion Is:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68c2M4r9oQg

> Simpler roof shapes are not only cheaper to build, but also are far easier to deal and insulate, and therefore more energy efficient.

And most importantly probably deals with water the best: fewer valleys mean fewer places where water is concentrated. Also, generally speaking, the more that overhangs jut out the better.