Anyone know of Eichler

[BMK]

After a slow start - due to other work projects - we have started work on the upgrade of the Eichler inspired home.

The older part of the house was fully re built.

The outside extensions have now started..





The garage and office floor above starting to take shape



The pool and spa poured. The slab for the family room poured and ready for framing



Next stage photos foillow

[BMK]

Twelve weeks on and the entire inside has been pulled out and re built.

The outside extension, garage and pool/spa have also started to take shape.

We have worked hard to maintain the Eichler style with a little Modern influence..

The garage and office are now locked up and final fitout is taking place. Decks and over head pergola work will start soon.



The family room now also nearing completion.



The office above the garage - also nearing completion



The upstairs office is still to have desks,shelving,computers etc. to be installed, the office looks over Geelong to the ocean in the distance. Fantastic lights view at night.



The pool and spa taking shape



Inside photos will follow. We are enjoying the renovation and we have tried to stay within the Eichler feel. However, we have spent a bit on air con/heating and insulation certainly items missing from the original Eichlers..

[richardferguson]

Keep the dream alive Bernie!
Richard
Ain't buiding a *****.

[BMK]

richardferguson

Richard,

We are really making progress now as the focus is all here..

Each week when I return, it is amazing to see the progress. We worked hard totally ripping the inside out and replacing it.

I'll get Todd to do some inside photos tomorrow..

Mmm and still on budget.

Have not worked on the GT40 though..

[BMK]

It seems like an eternity since I posted this Thread enquiring about Eichler homes.



Well we ended up purchasing the Eichler inspired home and undertook a major - I mean major renovation.

The more we planned the more we just wanted to do.

We totally pulled the house down to a shell - a chassis up rebuild in car terms.

This gave us an opportunity to totally re plum, re wire and to some extent change doors and walls around to better suit our living requiremets.

I know this is not a house web site, but I thought sharing this non car renovation and experiencing and hearing your suggestions, comments and knowledge was a real benefit.

We acquired a number of books from the USA and used them as a guide for the renovation. My wifes' aim was to kep the house as original as possible.

This saw the major expense of totally linning all the ceiling with the original style "v" joint linning board - painted white.

The extensions were matched to the very best of our ability with the use of books, web sites and photos. We think we achieved this match as the transition from old house to the new section is not noticeable.

Our architect was delighted with the result and placed the house on his web site and also entered it in a housing competition.

Our swimming pool was also entered in the Pool and Spa expo competition. We were obviously delighted in their vote of confidence.

What we ended up with was a very comfortable home that has seen the addition of air conditionning to the entire house and upgrades to totally modern standards in insulation etc.

Here are a few of the new pictures. I hope they give you an idea of our renovation. Once again this is not car related and I apologise to anyone who feels we have intruded.

However, I have found the responses on this site here a real benefit, not to mention the many links to books, Eichler sites, Eichler realtors and the like you gave us.

Well from here Anne and I are making a pilgrimage to California again in April to visit some of the Eichler homes. We will be in Palm Springs etc.

It has been a great project.

A link to our architect and his photos - see the projects then, extensions section, and then Knight residence in the search.

www.tonypreiato.com.au

Some later photos..










Only small changes to the front - some landscaping and painting.



The extensions were out to the right side of the existing house and a larger garage at the rear of the property with access off a laneway. A room is visible at the back this is above the garage.



The original garage was converted into a gym. Landscaping and some path removal has blended this in well.



The garage converted to the gym now has a few cycling jerseys that my friend Cadel Evans gave me. These are his actual jerseys that he wore to the two Olympic Games. I sold him a '66 Mustang Coupe and we remain good friends. He even started me on a fitness program - that is another full renovation..



Cadel gave me his jersey that he wore in the Tour De France. He came second in this race. Going on to win a second place again the following year in the Tour De France. He won then the World Championships later in the year. I find it hard to keep up when riding with him... This gym was a great conversion from the old garage. I managed to get Cadel to stand still long enough to get this somewaht blurred photo of him next to his TDF jersey.

www.cadel.com.au



The gym has a three panel window that over looks out onto the rear yard coutyard, spa and pool. There are three seperate courtyards with windows from all areas of the house bringing outdoors in. The true Eichler aim of creating space.



The architect has a number - better photos - on his site.

Again thanks to everyone who replied to the Thread, sent me PM's, photos and links to website etc.

It's back to cars now.. my garage..




And now some time to work on cars. I am pleased with the garage and the hoist we added in here allows us to store the GT40 up in the roof area. The room above the garage is used as a cinema and den area. I have added beer and wine fridges and a full bathroom to the garage area as well.





And so ends this journey and renovation. We are delighted with the result and again thank everyone of you for your inspiration and advice.

Anne Bernie

[Larry Spillman]

Yes I know these homes and the flat roofs will leak like a rain storm in january if not well maintained. There OK homes were cheap to build as anyone could build the roof.But flat roofs leak even in sunny Calif.

[BMK]

Larry Spillman

Larry,

We spent a lot of time and money ensuring the roof and the down pipes to the water tanks can carry even the heavy rains.

When we pulled the roof off there was no sign of water getting in.

I guess we also pretty well started with just a shell and completely rebuilt.

I will be in California in three weeks and plan to try and get into the areas that have the Eichler homes. My wife and I will also spend some time in Palm Springs. It is a pilgramage to see the homes as we have both enjoyed the building/restoring. The house has lived upto our expectations to date.

We did purchase a number of books on the homes in both Palm Springs - Palm Springs Moderns - and the Eichler books. I must confess to using many of the ideas I saw in the books. In particular the court yard designs and the pool layouts.

And I ended up with a better garage...

[Woodz428]

Did he also have input into school designs?? The pictures remind me of some of the newly built schools I attended in California during the 50s and 60s.

[BMK]

Woodz428

In the various books I have read and the many pictures there was no reference to schools.

We also had similiar low flat roofs in the new schools here. The multiple panel classroom windows that openned out etc.

If you 'Google' Eichler you will see reference to a number of architects of the time and many of them have links to big projects such as offices and hospitals etc.

Many of the furnishings in the homes are today collector pieces - such as the Eames chairs, Egg chairs and Barcelona chairs.

Mmmm and to think my parents threw a lot of this type of furniture out or sent it to the beach house.. There must be a number of beach house with valuable pieces in them today..

The whole project has been very similiar to building or restoring a car - guess that was my motivation placing the Thread.

We have enjoyed it and will now take a few days to look at some of the Eichler homes in the USA.

Thanks

Bernie

[CSXDreamer]

I've heard that all the US Eichlers have the garages on the left side when viewed from the street, while the Australian ones have it on the right.

[BMK]

CSXDreamer

Yes the Australian designs have the major living and window courtyards on the right side - our north.

The Australian sunrise in the east and running through the north settling in the west, provides ample opportunity to catch sun into the rooms on this north side here in Australia. Many of the living areas here have large courtyards off the right side behind the garages.

Our pool and outdoor areas are all on the right - north side.

Cheers

[BMK]

Above -Nothern court yard at front.




Above - central courtyard and pool area both on north side.

[BMK]

CSXDreamer

I just had an email and I see what you mean with the garages.

I booked all my accomodation yesterday and will spend 2 days in Palm Springs. We tried to get into the Orbit Motel as it was similiar to our furnishings etc. Ended up in the Movie Colony Hotel. Will do the Palm Springs Modern tours and check out a few house and buildings.

Then in North Hollywood Cal. for three days and will have a look at the Eichler areas in Cal.

Not all houses though..

Might get to see one or two car events that just happen to be on during that time.. leaving for a warm climate in two weeks..