Sunday, May 15, 2011

Joseph Eichler, Father of "California Modern"

In honor to Joseph Eichler, a Post-War architect known for developing distinctive Mid-Century architecture to middle class residential communities / development projects between 1956 and 1964.    Bringing a sense of community to his projects through parks and community centers, Eichler's intention was to create a bond with the people.  Not only did he care about the Middle-Class, he also carried his non-discrimination policy to a boiling point in 1958, when he resigned from the National Association of Home Builders due to their refusal to support non-discrimination policies throughout the building community regardless of race or religious beliefs.  Not only was Eichler a man of design vision, he was a man of principal and fairness. 



As a true architecture pioneer with visions of glass walls, open floor plans, skylights, soaring expanses of roof lines either flat or A-frame, Indoor / Outdoor living space, gardens and swimming pools, Eichler was part of the movement now known as "California Modern".

In the Los Angeles area, you can find Eichler's developments located in Granada Hills, Orange and Thousand Oaks.  The above represents homes from the Balboa Highlands subdivision.  Enjoy.

1 comment:

  1. It is a common misconception that my grandfather was an architect. He was not. He was strictly a real estate developer who hired talented architects such as Quincy Jones, Robert Anshen and Claude Oakland to design tract (and a modest number of custom) homes in the style now known as Mid-Century Modern.

    David Eichler

    ReplyDelete

hang in there. modernhomeslosangeles just needs a quick peek before uploading your comment. in the meantime, have a modern day!