Eichler homes are a perfect fit to the Marin County, California climate and lifestyle. They merge the indoors with the outdoors, allowing us to live out of doors even when are inside. Walls of glass to the rear and central courtyards provide light, views, and easy access to nature. Flexible floor plans adapt easily to changing family needs.
A-Frame Atrium Eichler in Upper Lucas Valley
Marin has about 1,600 Eichler-built homes, and most of them in northern San Rafael –Terra Linda, Marinwood, and Lucas Valley—plus a few higher end models in the Sleepy Hollow area of San Anselmo and the Strawberry area of Mill Valley.
Original and innovative
Eichler Homes were built in Marin from about 1957 to 1974. They are typically single level, with post and beam construction to allow for uninterrupted and flexible interior spaces. Joseph Eichler, the builder, believed in providing well designed modern homes, designed by fine architects, to people of moderate means.
Atrium Eichler in Upper Lucas Valley
Eichler was also an innovator in home construction. Post and beam construction became his standard, and he introduced a second bathroom when most houses had only one bathroom. Homes were heated with radiant systems built into the cement floors. Kitchens were furnished with attractive stainless steel appliances. He covered the walls with elegant Philippine mahogany paneling that he had specially fabricated in Japan.
More to learn about Eichlers
There is much more to learn about Eichler homes. Recommended reading is Design for Living Eichler Homes, by Jerry Ditto, Lanning Stern, and Marvin Wax. You can find it at most Marin Libraries (728.097 Ditto) or order a personal copy from Amazon.com. On the internet at www.eichlernetwork.com you can find current articles on Eichler houses and their restoration. Materials are available for most aspect of repairing, restoring, and upgrading these homes; for example, the distinctive exterior siding can be purchased from www.eichlersiding.com.
Two subdivisions of Eichler homes in Palo Alto were recognized for their architectural importance in 2005 by inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.