In the history of 20th-century American housing, Joseph Eichler was not merely a real estate developer but an innovator who fundamentally changed residential design and social values. His company, “Eichler Homes,” is known for offering architecturally refined homes that were affordable for the middle class. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Eichler built over 11,000 homes, mainly in California. These homes still retain their value today and are beloved by many. This book introduces the charm of Eichler Homes, focusing on existing architectural examples.

Joseph Leopold Eichler was born in 1900 in Manhattan, New York. His father was of Austrian-Jewish descent, and his mother was of German-Jewish descent. He grew up in a diverse ethnic environment, which is believed to have shaped his philosophy of providing equal housing opportunities for everyone.

As an adult, Eichler moved to Northern California to take over his wife’s family business. There, he encountered a rental home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright’s homes featured open layouts, harmony with the outdoors, and functional design—elements that profoundly influenced Eichler. Inspired by this experience, he started a small real estate development company that would later become Eichler Homes.

While Wright’s homes were clearly for the wealthy, Eichler’s offerings were mass-produced homes aimed at the middle class. These “tract homes” featured tasteful design and open interiors, quickly gaining popularity.

In just 24 years, Eichler supplied over 11,000 homes—a number that reflects their popularity at the time. His mission was to make modern design accessible to the average family. However, he was also known to refuse sales to potential buyers he found objectionable.

For instance, during the 1950s, many California developers practiced discriminatory sales policies. Eichler opposed these practices and insisted on selling homes to anyone, regardless of race or religion. However, he would refuse to sell—even during contract signing—if a buyer made racist remarks or seemed unsuitable as a neighbor.

Eichler was also particular about the homes he sold. He often rejected requests for significant modifications and sometimes even minor changes, such as changing the front door color. These anecdotes reflect his dedication to maintaining the aesthetic harmony of the entire neighborhood.

Eichler prioritized his ideals over profit. His homes emphasized open spaces and integration with nature, aiming to enhance residents’ lifestyles. This reflected his belief that a house is not just a box, but something that creates a way of life.

Eichler Homes are widely recognized as examples of the Mid-Century Modern architectural style. As standardized homes, they share several common features—one being the “open floor plan” with minimal walls and hallways.

Although each plan varied by designer, they all featured open layouts that made spaces feel larger and encouraged family communication. Roofs were flat or gently sloped, creating a modern, elegant exterior. The street-facing facade was closed-off, using subdued exterior colors like black, gray, blue, or earth tones. In contrast, the entry doors were painted in vivid colors like red, yellow, or turquoise—another hallmark of the design.

Living and dining areas often faced an atrium (a central courtyard), seamlessly blending indoors and outdoors. Large sliding or fixed-glass doors were used on the garden side. Even private rooms featured “high side lights” to preserve privacy while maximizing natural light.

Ceilings were relatively high, with exposed wooden beams—a key design feature. These beams often extended from the yard through the living areas to the street side, playing a critical role in exterior aesthetics. Interior finishes often included mahogany or teak veneers, many of which were imported from Japan at the time.

Eichler also adopted design elements influenced by Japanese homes, such as sliding partitions inspired by fusuma, allowing for flexible use of space. These unique features were possible due to California’s climate.

Most Eichler Homes had minimal raised foundations, which would be unsuitable in Japan’s hot, humid climate. The gently sloped roofs were practical in California, which sees little rain.

Large glass areas posed structural and insulation challenges. Today, Eichler homeowners in California face the difficult task of preserving the original design while upgrading their homes to meet modern performance standards.

Replacing beams rotted by decades of rain, installing earthquake-resistant double-glazed windows—restoring and maintaining Eichler Homes requires the dedication of their owners.

PHOTO｜Kazutoshi AKimoto 秋元一利
TEXT｜Kazutoshi AKimoto 秋元一利
PUBLISHED｜2025
SOURCE｜アイクラーホームズ＆ミッドセンチュリーデザイン
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