Joseph Eichler was a visionary architect who changed the face of suburban housing in California during the mid-twentieth century. His unique and innovative designs, which incorporated indoor-outdoor living spaces and modernist aesthetics, continue to influence the architecture of today.

Born in New York City in 1900 to Jewish European immigrant parents, Eichler was raised in a modest home. After studying business at New York University, Eichler moved to the Bay Area in 1925, working as a retailer for butter and eggs. In 1943, he and his family rented a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Hillsborough, and he caught the modernist architecture bug. 

Eichler's breakthrough came in 1949, when he teamed up with architect Robert Anshen to design and build a housing development in San Mateo, California. The development, which was called "The Highlands," consisted of over 200 homes with flat roofs, open floor plans, and floor-to-ceiling windows that provided ample natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. The homes were designed with a central atrium, which served as an outdoor living space and a way to bring nature into the home.

Eichler went on to build more than 11,000 homes in California between 1950 and 1974, most of which were located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California. Notable clusters are in San Francisco’s Diamond Heights (where our friend Troy owns one that he has lovingly restored) and Sacramento’s South Land Park. Eichler believed that good design should be accessible to everyone, and he designed his homes to be affordable for middle-class families. Key features of Eichler homes include:

• Open floor plans: Eichler homes are known for their open floor plans, which allow for easy flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas. This creates a sense of spaciousness and makes it easy to entertain guests.

• Use of natural materials: Eichler typically used natural materials, such as wood, glass, and concrete. This gives the homes a warm and inviting feel.

• Integration of indoor and outdoor spaces: The homes often have large windows and sliding doors that open up to the outdoors. This creates a sense of connection to nature and makes it easy to enjoy the California climate.

• Modern design: Clean lines and simple forms are hallmarks of Eichler design. This gives the homes a timeless look that is still popular today.

Though best known for his single-level Modernist homes, Eichler also undertook some alternative projects in San Francisco, including two-story townhomes in Diamond Heights, 66 Cleary Court in the Western Addition, Geneva Terrace and Geneva Towers in Visitacion Valley (the towers were demolished in 1998), and the 32-story Eichler Summit atop Russian Hill. 

Likely driven by his own experiences with racism as a Jewish person, Eichler was also known for his commitment to social equality. He was one of the few developers at the time who sold homes to African American and Asian American families, and he was a vocal supporter of civil rights. In fact, many of Eichler's homes were located in neighborhoods that were racially integrated, which was rare for the time, and even risky.

Today, Eichler's homes are highly sought after by architects, designers, and enthusiasts who appreciate their timeless design and modernist aesthetic. Many of Eichler's original designs have been preserved and restored, and his influence can be seen in the work of contemporary architects and designers who continue to build on his legacy.