California Architecture: An Architect’s Favorite Structures – Homes

The Eames House in Los Angeles is an excellent example of mid-century modern architecture that lives in harmony with its environment. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, it nestles into the hillside, while its geometric shape and touches of bold color proudly proclaim it a man-made structure. The construction used mostly pre-fabricated parts, and its sliding walls and windows gave maximum flexibility to the designer couple who lived and worked there.

This structure doesn’t just harmonize with the environment, it actively uses it. Built in 1964, the extraordinary Frey House II blends so well into its desert environment that it almost disappears, which was what architect Albert Frey intended. It’s constructed around an enormous boulder that defines the home’s interior space, literally bringing the outside indoors. Frey even designed the house according to the angle of the sun in different seasons to maximize natural light.