The title is a reference to The Who song I can see for miles. So now you can reread the title and sing the melody… or not. Regardless of whether you like the song, or Eichlers for that matter, if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area you can literally see Eichler homes and high rises for miles and miles.
In San Francisco they can be found in Diamond Heights, Cathedral Hill, Russian Hill, and Visitacion Valley. Sequoyah Hills in the Oakland Hills is home to another cluster of Eichlers. And Marin is home to many, many neighborhoods of Eichlers, existing in North and South Terra Linda , upper and lower Lucas Valley, Sleepy Hollow and Strawberry Point in Mill Valley. More information about available bay area Eichlers can be found here. CA Modern or Atomic Ranch are great periodicals to check out the latest Eichler trends and furnishings.
I have been fascinated by Eichlers for some time now and have recently embarked on the journey of researching them and trying to see as many as possible. I will post photos of the Eichlers I see on my Flickr account, so stay tuned.
Joseph Eichler was not an architect, contrary to popular belief, but was a real estate developer. One major characteristic that sets him apart and earns my respect was that Eichler, unlike most builders at the time, established a non-discrimination policy and offered homes for sale to anyone of any religion or race. In 1958, he resigned from the National Association of Home Builders when they refused to support a non-discrimination policy. Eichler sought to provide inventive affordable postwar homes to the masses (in northern and southern California).
So what makes an Eichler an Eichler, you may ask. Features include floor to ceiling glass walls, post-and-beam construction and open floorplans. Basically a modernist dream. The primary design philosophy of these modern homes is to bring the outside in. Which I find incredibly harmonious and beautiful. The famous Eichler atriums embody this concept.
Eicher homes are also known for Tongue and Groove decking for the roof, concrete slab floors with integral radiant heating, sliding doors and cabinets with sliding doors, and Japanese Shoji style closet doors. These homes tend to only work well in temperate climates, hence the placement in California. An Eichler community is also evident by the mindful placement of parks, yards, and the appreciation of the land it inhabits. Minimal, purposeful, and peaceful.
Like most genius ideas, Eichler was way ahead of his time and had a hard time convincing his war weary clientele to opt for innovation rather than convention. By the mid 1960’s Eichler Homes was in financial trouble and by 1967 declared bankruptcy. I would venture to say that Eichler is pleased his designs are highly sought after at present, but probably wishes the selling prices were more geared toward the working class. Joseph Eichler was a pioneer and a visionary. I look forward to seeking out the creations he enabled through talented architects such as: Robert Anshen (Wright disciple) of Anshen and Allen, Claude Oakland and Associates, Jones and Emmons, A. Quincy Jones, and Raphael Soriano.
Roxanne + Design = Love 