Eichler style is a type of modernist architecture developed in the 1950s and 1960s specifically for residential developments in California. It is named after the developer and builder Joseph Eichler of Eichler Homes, who was the major proponent of this style.
The style is best known for its distinct, open floor plan design with post-and-beam construction, an open atrium courtyard, and walls of floor-to-ceiling glass. Eichler homes usually have horizontal lines, flat roofs, gabled patterns, and an emphasis on outdoor living.
They often have redwood paneling, cathedral ceilings, and outdoor landscaping that adhere to a Modernist aesthetic.
Eichler style homes emphasize a “transition from inside to outside”, as well as an indoor/outdoor living that was relatively new for the time period. They were designed to have large open floor plans and an abundance of natural light.
The windows usually fill an entire wall and slide open easily in order to provide almost total opening to the landscaped yard and gardens outside. Additionally, the structures were designed with a variety of materials and numerous details borrowed from the modernist style of their time period, such as large rounded windows, walls of glass panels, and exposed post-and-beam construction.
The Eichler style experienced a revival in the late 2000s and early 2010s, spurred by interest in sustainable development, mid-century modern design, and the popularity of “tiny houses”. It remains an iconic symbol of modernist architectural style and design.
Why are Eichler homes expensive?
Eichler homes are expensive for a variety of reasons. Joseph Eichler was a renowned real estate developer in the 1950s and 60s who built over 11,000 mid-century modern architectural homes in California.
His homes are characterized by large glass window walls, open floor plans, and a blend of modern and post-and-beam construction techniques. They also feature unique, contemporary finishes such as exposed beams and peaked ceilings, as well as bold colors which have been preserved in many of the original homes and appreciated by fans of mid-century modern design.
Eichler homes are highly sought after due to their modern design and high quality construction. The materials used in the construction and preservation of these homes is expensive, which contributes to the overall cost of ownership.
The rarity of Eichler homes in the market has also contributed to their rising value over time. Additionally, the land on which these homes are built is often scarce and valuable, further driving up their cost.
The representation of the mid-century modern aesthetic in Eichler homes is particularly attractive in today’s market, making these homes highly coveted and expensive for prospective buyers. As a result, Eichler homes are typically auctioned off for much higher prices than many other comparable properties.
How much does it cost to build an Eichler home?
The cost of building an Eichler home varies depending on the size, location, materials, and other factors. According to Modernize, the average cost of building an Eichler home ranges from $200 to $400 per square foot, including labor and materials.
This means that the cost to build a 1,200 square foot Eichler home ranges from $240,000 to $480,000. A typical 2,000 square foot Eichler home costs on average $400,000 to $800,000. Additional items, such as customized architecture, can push a project beyond its estimated cost.
Other decisions that may affect the overall cost of the build include efficiency ratings, pre-existing landscape, wiring, and foundation work. The choice of materials and finishes, too, can make a big difference in terms of the cost to build an Eichler home.
Lumber, siding, roofing, and finishes come in a wide range of prices. Your budget for building an Eichler home should ultimately take into account all of these different factors.
Where are the Eichler houses?
Eichler houses are found primarily in the west coast of the United States, in California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. They are typically found in the neighborhoods of the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Mateo, the East Bay, and Sonoma County, as well as Silicon Valley.
Many Eichler homes have been preserved and continue to exist in Santa Clara County, which includes the cities of San Jose and Sunnyvale. Other cities known for their concentrations of Eichler homes include San Rafael, Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, and Windsor.
Outside of the West Coast, scattered examples of Eichler houses can be found in various other cities and towns across the United States, including New York, Minneapolis, and Chicago. There are also several Eichler communities along the east coast of Florida, primarily in Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties.
Most notably, Tropical Ranch in Broward County is one of the largest known Eichler communities outside of the West Coast.
How many Eichler homes were built?
An estimated 11,000 “Eichler Homes” were built in California between 1950–1974 by real estate developer and builder Joseph Eichler. Joseph Eichler (1900–1974) was an American real estate developer and builder of homes in California.
He was famous for creating the quintessential mid-century modern suburban tract housing development, known as “Eichler homes”.
Eichler homes were characterized by flat or low-slope roofs, open floor plans, walls of glass, post-and-beam construction, concrete slab floors, and radiant heating systems. The homes, which often featured floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the lines between outdoors and indoors, were seen as being ahead of their time and influencing the Passive Solar movement that started in the 1970s.
Eichler homes were typically built as tract housing in developments that featured common areas, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and playgrounds. The neighborhoods projected a more modern and progressive image than traditional suburban tracts.
Joseph Eichler had a commitment to providing quality and affordable housing for middle-income families and strived to include modern amenities that were considered shocking and daring for the era.
By mid-century, an estimated 11,000 Eichler homes had been built throughout California, from the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles. Many Eichler homes have been well maintained, renovated, and even returned to their original state.
Others have been destroyed, replaced or moved.
Who designed Eichler homes?
Joseph Eichler was the original designer of Eichler homes. He created them with the intent of making modern living accessible for middle-class people in the 1950s and 1960s.
Joseph Eichler was a visionary and wanted to challenge the way people lived in residential architecture. He was born in 1900 to a German-Jewish family in New York City. After graduating from Cornell University he pursued a career in real estate.
In the 1940s and 1950s, he developed many large tract housing projects, and eventually began to focus on modern design.
Eichler homes were known for their integration of indoor and outdoor living and minimalistic aesthetic. While Eichler began to design these homes himself, he eventually hired architects such as Claude Oakland and Anshen & Allen to help him bring his vision to life.
They used ideas from renowned modernist architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Richard Neutra. The combination of Eichler’s experience in real estate, the forward thinking of his chosen architects, and the ideas of modernist architects all combined to create Eichler homes.
Joseph Eichler developed over 11,000 houses in California, New Jersey, and other cities, and many of his homes have become iconic in modern architecture. He was a pioneer in bringing modern design to working- and middle-class people and with his legacy, Eichler homes are still widely appreciated today.
What is considered a mid century home?
A mid-century home is typically defined as a house built between the 1940s and mid-1960s that is characterized by it’s modern, simple design featuring elements such as open floor plans, lots of windows, wide facades and a flat roof.
Mid-century homes often feature low furniture pieces, patterned fabrics, and pastels. Materials like glass, steel, and concrete were popularly used in construction of mid-century homes with an emphasis on functionality rather than ornamentation.
Some of the most iconic mid-century styles are the ranch-style homes with steeply pitched roofs and low, overhanging eaves. Mid-century homes can also feature details like vertical siding, asymmetrical facades, and large picture windows.
An iconic feature often found in mid-century homes are car ports. Mid-century modern is a design movement that encompasses many types of homes and therefore mid-century homes can vary greatly in style and materials.
Was the Brady Bunch house mid-century modern?
No, the Brady Bunch house was not mid-century modern. Its exterior was inspired by a Neocolonial architectural style, which was popular in the late 1960s when the show was airing. The house was actually built in 1959 and has a very classic 1970s California look.
Though the Brady Bunch house isn’t necessarily considered mid-century modern, the interior design of the house is both timeless and iconic and features many mid-century modern elements. Some of the furniture, like the iconic orange and teal couches, were inspired by the look of the 1960s, but the overall style of the house leans more towards the 1970s.
It has a bright, open aesthetic with lots of wood paneling, brass fixtures, and lots of subtle bold geometric patterns on furniture and wallpaper.
Why do Millennials like mid-century modern?
Millennials have come to embrace mid-century modern decor because of its timeless appeal and effortless blend of classic and modern style. Mid-century modern furniture is known for its sleek lines and simple silhouettes.
This look, combined with the popular minimalist aesthetic, provides a fresh and modern feel to any home. The furniture pieces from this era also incorporate organic natural materials like walnut, leather, and linen into the design, giving it a warm, earthy feel.
The mid-century trend is also practical for Millennials – it is often more affordably priced compared to other furniture designs, so it fits with the Millennial budget. Additionally, these pieces are typically more durable and last longer than cheap, new furniture because they have stood the test of time.
Mid-century modern also provides great design versatility, as it can easily be adapted to both traditional and contemporary settings. This style creates a sense of nostalgia and offers a timeless look that Millennials adore.
What state has the most mid century homes?
California has the most mid-century homes in the United States, likely due to a combination of its unusually large size, mild climate with plenty of sunshine, and an abundance of post-World War II migration to the state.
In particular, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the highest concentration of mid-century homes in California. These homes typically feature an open floor plan, ample natural light, and clean, geometric lines.
As of 2021, mid-century modern architecture is becoming increasingly popular in cities across the country, due in part to its ability to seamlessly blend with both contemporary and traditional styles.
What does mid-century mean in real estate?
Mid-century in real estate refers to a style of architecture and design that was popularized in the middle of the 20th century, between the 1930’s and 1965. This style focused on combining natural elements, either through the use of organic materials and shapes, or through a more modernist approach that emphasized angular forms, geometric patterns and the use of natural light and open spaces.
Although there have been many variations of mid-century architecture and design, some of the signature elements include flat roofs, large windows, natural materials, and open floor plans. Some of the most iconic examples of this style can be found in the work of renowned architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies Van Der Rohe, and Rudolph Schindler.
Today, mid-century in real estate often refers to the appreciation of homes, buildings, and other structures that embody this particular style from the mid-20th century. As such, mid-century homes and buildings are becoming popular once again and are often sought after, as they provide a direct link to the aesthetic of this particular point in time.
As such, individuals interested in these properties may find themselves looking for elements such as open floor plans, large windows and angular lines in order to fulfill their mid-century requirements.
What is the difference between mid-century and Mid-Century Modern?
Mid-century is a term commonly used to refer to any design style from the middle of the 20th century, typically 1940s to the mid-1970s. This style often includes bold geometric patterns, curved lines and solid vibrant colors.
Examples of mid-century designs include Classic Hollywood, Bauhaus and Psychedelic styles.
Mid-Century Modern is a specific sub-genre of mid-century design style that emerged in the U. S. in the 1950s and 1960s. Its characteristics include organic shapes and materials, sleek lines and large windows.
Designers like Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi are known for synthesizing modern technology, minimalism and new materials to create iconic pieces within this style. Mid-Century Modern pieces can typically be identified by their distinct mix of functionality and style.
What makes a home an Eichler?
A home designed by the renowned architect, Joseph Eichler, is what makes the home an “Eichler”. These post-war modern homes were built from 1950 – 1974 in California, and featured flat roofs with large balconies, glass walls and natural wood interiors.
Joseph Eichler sought to create a connection between the outdoor and indoor environment, so he utilized items like walls of glass and skylights. He also preferred open floor plans, which were created by strategically positioning the kitchen, dining, and living areas together.
He also used mahogany and cedar details throughout the interior. The characteristic of an Eichler home that sets it apart from other dwellings of the era is Joseph Eichler’s focus on utilizing large areas of glass to create an open, light-filled feeling within the home.
That being said, the interior and exterior of the home being designed by Joseph Eichler is what truly makes it an “Eichler. ”.
What is a Rummer home?
A Rummer home, also known as “Rutman,” is an informal architectural style popularized in the late 1950s and 1960s. Usually found in the suburbs of coastal areas, Rummer homes are distinguished by open floor plans, large windows, and a simple design often featuring a post and pier foundation, flat gable roof, overlapping, board-and-batten siding and large decks.
The style utilized the innovations of the mid-20th century when modern materials such as concrete and steel became more readily available for creating customized versions of affordable ranch-style homes.
Generally, Rummer homes feature an asymmetrical façade with a large main living space, a popular kitchen showcase window, and attached garages. As a result, the style was especially popular with builders looking to bring modern, affordable housing to suburban areas.
Today, Rummer homes still capture the attention of many homeowners looking for a unique and uncomplicated getaway.
Are there Eichler homes in Palm Springs?
No, there are no original Eichler homes in Palm Springs. Eichler homes were built in California from 1949 to about 1966 by developer Joseph Eichler in the San Francisco Bay Area and parts of California, but not Palm Springs.
However, there have been many homes built in Palm Springs that were inspired by the style of Eichler homes and incorporate many of the same design elements, including open-air courtyards, post-and-beam construction, large glass windows and walls of glass, slab-style construction, and flat-plane roofs.
These homes often feature mid-century modern, minimalist and modernist design elements.
