Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream (Hardcover)

by Paul Adamson (Author), Marty Arbunich (Compiler) "Modernist residential design was, in many ways, ideally suited to the everyday realities of 1950s American middle-class culture, and in California it meshed with the..." (more)
Key Phrases: San Francisco, New York, Joe Eichler (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...Combining architectural history, Ernest Braun's impossibly idyllic marketing photographs, and character study of a hard-nosed businessman and dreamer..." -- Allen Clapp, Palo Alto Weekly

"Broad in format and with much white space, this book continues to sell Eichler's vision..." -- Neil Jackson, Journal of Architecture

"Paul Adamson and Marty Arbunich have created a satisfying tome for both architectural buffs and retrophiles worldwide..." -- Frank Nolan, Eichler Network

"The book is important for serious students of California modernism and domestic architecture, and, of course, for mid-century groupies." -- Kenneth Caldwell, Line Magazine (of American Institute of Architects, San Francisco)

Top of my list is 'Eichler'...it's a book that captures the spirit of its subject." -- Patricia Poore, Old-House Interiors

Product Description
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. Eichler: 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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1 edition (November 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586851845
• ISBN-13: 978-1586851842
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Production & Operations
  #26 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Artists, Architects & Photographers
  #29 in	Books > History > United States > State & Local > California

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book on Eichler, November 14, 2006

By	mrs.c (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

Whether you have an interest in mid-century modern design, Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian architecture or just Eichler...this book is a terrifc buy. While content rich it is still visually appealing and can easily function as a "coffee table" book. This book also serves as a terrific "idea guide" for those in search of small spacce solutions and/or modern landscaping layouts that bring the "outdoors in."

5.0 out of 5 stars Detail Rich, July 1, 2009

By	Voracious Reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is filled with detailed descriptions of many aspects of Joseph Eichler and Eicher Homes. A marvelous array of photographs complement the engaging text.

20 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book!, December 5, 2002

By A Customer

As a Eichler home owner I couldn't wait for this book to arrive and thankfully it was a joy to read and pour over all the original photos in the book. I always knew I owned a special home and now I own a wonderful book that validates that too. Even if you are not a Eichler homeowner, but rather just a fan of mid-century homes this is also a must have for your library as it goes into more then just Joe Eichler and his homes. Enjoy the read!