The Eames House, a project undertaken using only standard materials available through catalogues, is highlighted in this slide tour of the architecturally masterful building after five years of being lived in after its construction in 1945-49 as a Case Study house (Number 8 to be exact) for the West Coast journal Arts and Architecture. The slides feature the many ingenious designs of Charles Eames during and after its five year test of time, as well as other facets of life that make the Eames House their own.
A large portion of the back and ocean facing wall has been replaced with windows that open and close allowing large amounts of natural light to flood the house. Under the windows, a wooden walk-way leads around to a dirt path and small potted garden. The ampleness of unobstructed light throughout the day and evening allows for extensive selections of plants to be planted or potted near and around the house. Inside the house is a collection of personally designed furniture, as well as presumably factory ordered lamps, desks, cabinets, and other housing accessories. A notably open and airy downstairs leads to a nicely cloistered upstairs via a spiral staircase, still illuminated during the day by natural light. This staircase can be seen in more detail in another Eames movie, "Lucia Chase Vignette" (1978).
Despite being such a highly publicized house, the Eames have made a comfortable living at their new home. After five years, the house has a warm yet new feeling sensed through the pictures taken by Charles of the surrounding environment, and the supplemental pictures of the house itself. Seashells, leaves, insects, and materials that make up the house are among the slides Charles took during the five years of living there. This film is a remarkable visual documentation of a landmark in architectural design, and will stand the test of time when newer houses are built and compared to the greatness of the Eames House. Yet again the Eameses have amazed me.
A large portion of the back and ocean facing wall has been replaced with windows that open and close allowing large amounts of natural light to flood the house. Under the windows, a wooden walk-way leads around to a dirt path and small potted garden. The ampleness of unobstructed light throughout the day and evening allows for extensive selections of plants to be planted or potted near and around the house. Inside the house is a collection of personally designed furniture, as well as presumably factory ordered lamps, desks, cabinets, and other housing accessories. A notably open and airy downstairs leads to a nicely cloistered upstairs via a spiral staircase, still illuminated during the day by natural light. This staircase can be seen in more detail in another Eames movie, "Lucia Chase Vignette" (1978).
Despite being such a highly publicized house, the Eames have made a comfortable living at their new home. After five years, the house has a warm yet new feeling sensed through the pictures taken by Charles of the surrounding environment, and the supplemental pictures of the house itself. Seashells, leaves, insects, and materials that make up the house are among the slides Charles took during the five years of living there. This film is a remarkable visual documentation of a landmark in architectural design, and will stand the test of time when newer houses are built and compared to the greatness of the Eames House. Yet again the Eameses have amazed me.
