Starting in the late '40s, a builder named Joseph Eichler, developed and built over 11,000 homes in California. He had an idea that inexpensive, quality, modern homes with open floor plans, atriums and skylights would appeal to the post war families who could appreciate new ideas in living. His homes were mostly single story, with very plain facades. Usually only a door, and a simple garage door or two, were all that could be seen from the front. No windows. But open that door, and you entered an atrium area, that served to bring the lush outdoor garden indoors with huge windows and sliding glass doors.
(photo purloined from an Eichler real estate website, so sorry)
This patio atrium, was designed to be a living space, like any other room in the house. Most of the Eichler homes, actually about 10,000 of them, are in Northern California. The other few hundred are in Southern California, in only three locations. I'm happy to say that just a few miles from our house, in Thousand Oaks, is one of these neighborhoods. I learned about Eichler homes about 10 years ago, when a friend of mine from Mattel, told me about his home in Thousand Oaks. I've visited it a few times, and although it's very plain on the outside, inside it's beautiful and airy. I've never been a huge fan of modern architecture or design, but I'm developing a real love and appreciation for these amazing homes. Yesterday, I decided to go to the Eichler area for a photo shoot for a project at work. I was shooting exteriors (rats!) so I wasn't able to sneak any peeks into the wonderful homes I saw. The fronts are plain, but the owners add their own fun little touches like whimsically colored doors, interesting landscaping, a mailbox that's a replica of the house. I put together a quick view of some of the front doors and interesting entryways into these fabulous and fun homes.
4 comments:
I love these kinds of developments and really wish they'd been more widespread. I love the arts & crafts bungalows that were so prevalent after WW2, and love those old neighborhoods..when developments had character. The Euchler neighborhood would be awesome to wander through...and even get a peak into, huh? LOL
You are a truly a gifted artist in your medium. Sign up for google alerts, "eichler", "thousand oaks", and you might be able to catch open houses. Additionally, drive thru slowly on Saturday morning, you might find some proud home owners who love to share their architectural treasure. As an architectural appraiser, I have seen a few over there, just marvelous!
Super cool!
The solid color doors were an original characteristic of the Eichler. The Blue door you posted has the original door knob that was set a little closer to the center of the door for the large escutcheon circle. They also originally had a button inside the house that looks like a doorbell that opens the front door. I've seen some that still work today!
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