Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream

by Paul Adamson

Joseph Eichler was a pioneering developer who defied conventional wisdom by hiring progressive architects to design Modernist homes for the growing middle class of the 1950s. He was known for his innovations, including "built-ins" for streamlined kitchen work, for introducing a multipurpose room adjacent to the kitchen, and for the classic atrium that melded the indoors with the outdoors. For nearly twenty years, Eichler Homes built thousands of dwellings in California, acquiring national and international acclaim. Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream examines Eichler's legacy as seen in his original homes and in the revival of the Modernist movement, which continues to grow today. The homes that Eichler built were modern in concept and expression, and yet comfortable for living. Eichler's work left a legacy of design integrity and set standards for housing developers that remain unparalleled in the history of American building. This book captures and illustrates that legacy with impressive detail, engaging history, firsthand recollections about Eichler and his vision, and 250 photographs of Eichler homes in their prime. Paul Adamson, AIA, holds a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University and has practiced in New York and San Francisco. He is currently a designer at the San Francisco firm of Hornberger + Worstell, Inc. He lives in Kensington, California. Marty Arbunich is director-publisher of the Eichler Network, a Bay Area-based company devoted exclusively to supporting and preserving the architecture and lifestyle surrounding California's 11,000 Eichler homes. He lives in San Francisco.

Genres: Architecture, Design

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2002

About the author

Paul Adamson is a former primary school principal who lives in the Wairarapa, New Zealand at the foot of the Tararuas. He’s been a passionate hunter his entire life, and has two sons who are following keenly in his footsteps.

Reviews

[Eugenio Negro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was pleased to see that Arbunich did include a lot of FHA's crimes against democracy, so it's not like that stuff was only available in The Color of Law, though that book is the cleanest and crispest example I know of for reporting of such. The beginning is a bit of a defense of the suburbs at times, but the rest of the book does bring back glimmers that I felt as a kid that make a convincing document of 1950s true belief in "modern living" without really standing up for it. I think it's probably good that I've grown up to see that all that artifice is indefensible on behalf of the environment (but then everything humans make is bad for the environment!) The end does a pretty good job of summing up the broken promises of urban renewal and exposing the power grab that it really was. And of course fans of Eichler homes will dig it, interviews with the company, large format, beautiful print and paper, only one edition, baby! Anyone wanna buy it off me?

[Steven Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

An obviously heavily researched book that is loaded with pics and illustrations of floor plans of these Great mid-century Homes. An appealing overlook of the neighborhoods and cities where his Plans were Built. If you have only one Eichler book in your Library this is probably the one to have.

[Katherine]

Well-researched and thorough history of Eichler homes, their influences, and the man and firm behind them. Will appeal to anyone with an interest in mid-century/postwar architecture, especially if living in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cities and developments mentioned (Palo Alto, San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Lucas Valley) will be familiar. Four stars instead of five because Mr. Arbunich doesn't manage to pull together a broader historical narrative the way Alan Hess does in his excellent architecture books about the same time period. Still, a very solid book and an effort to be proud of.

[Afton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a history lesson of the Eichler and it has some stunning advertising pictures from the 50s and 60s that they used. I love the background and details about how they advertised and were trying to appeal to a new modern family, but not sterile modern--a very useable space. Great shots of the homes, would be a good coffee table book--but it's $50!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward reporting with appreciation for
the good architectural and neighborhood design
work, and Eichler's low-key but committed non-
discriminatory sales policy for the houses he
built, mostly in northern California, in the
middle of the last centuriy. He was a quality guy.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for mid-century modern architecture and design. The vintage black and white photos are amazing. This book has really helped me with restoration of my own home.