Eames House · The most notable spatial quality that the Eames house possesses is the continuation of space. Starting with the topography, the Eames House was inserted into a bluff

Eames

House

Case Study

Hannah Nix

Table of Contents About -Case Study House Program-The Eames

Case Study House No. 8-Site Plan-Axonometric -Exterior Elevations-Floor Plans

Program-Functional Aspects-Circulation

Formal Appearance -Parti-Description

Spatial Qualities

Design and Construction-Materials

Design Analysis

ConclusionSources

Program In 1949 the Eames house was designed and constructed by husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames. Both of who were designers that bellieved in an interactive process of architecture and design.

They were followers of the Case Study Program, created post WW2 to design and built inexpensive and efficient model homes for the United States residential housing boom following the return of millions of soldiers.

The Eames house was built to be their studio and home, reflecting the Eames’ way of dealing with life and work.

They believed in the simplicity of the moden home, but also wanted it to be comfortable and inviting.

“Just as a good host tries to anticipate the needs of his guests, so a good architect or a designer or a city planner tries to anticipate the needs of those who will live in or use the thing being designed.” -Charles Eames

The EamesThe Eames married in 1941. They had a belief in connections- they designed their home and studio to have simplicity in movement and unity in space. Despite having different edu-cational backgrounds, the Eames continued to pursue their passion in architecture and the arts.

Case Study House No.8Built to blend in with the natural environment, the initial design of the Eames House was changed from a bridge to a house nestled into the landscape.

The Eames designed the house to be comfortably modern. They also employed the honest use of materials to expose the structure of the house.

The spaces within the house are not especially private; the Eames wanted a guest and host relationship in the house, as seamless as the spaces inside.

ProgramThe Eames House is com-prised of two units: the studio and the living space. But they are seamleslly connected by a garden between them.

The first floor is completely public space, while the second floor is private. With-in the first floor are various artifacts and knick-knacks that create an inviting living space.

Steel and glass are used to represent the materials used durng wartime, but also to blend the house into the natural landscape.

Formal Appearance

Consists of two glass and steel rectangular boxes, one being a resi-dence, the other being their studio space. The buildings cap at 17’ and each have a mezzanine balcony that overlooks a central space. The struc-tures are aligned centrally on an axis and have a facade that consists of a black-painted grid. A concrete retaining wall ties together the two seper-ate structures by a courtyard, which is the Parti.

Within the grid there are inserts of glass in various colors and consistencies. These strategically placed colors highlighted different points across the resi-dence.

Spatial Qualities

The most notable spatial quality that the Eames house possesses is the continuation of space. Starting with the topography, the Eames House was inserted into a bluff so that it could blend with the nat-ural landscape- a seamless view.

The spaces inside are not distinctly seperated. The liv-ing room is a “large unbroken area for pure enjoyment of space in which objects can be placed and taken away — driftwood, sculpture, mobiles, plants, con-structions, etc.” as said by Charles.

There is also a distinction between the spaces of the exterior facade and the interior. The facade gives the view all the signs of a moden building, with conformity to a grid, shifting, linear planes, and angular geometric features.

How is it Made? Many of the materials are easily assembled- steel, plastic, stucco, and glass make up the basic structural com-ponents of the Eames House. The cheap, pre-made materials made the cost of the house incredibly low.

These materials give the Eames house an open, airy atmosphere. The Eames family usedthe same materials for their furniture de-signs and incorporated it into their study house.

Structural Systems

Steel beams support the Eames Houses.

Glass and Plastic provide other structural elements to the house.

The trees also provide bounderies for the property.

MaterialsThe Eames House takes advantage of new technologies and materials de-veloped during World War II. These materials include steel framing and glass for the exterior, and more natural components like wood for the inte-rior.

More materials used include aluminum, colored panels, masonry, and plastic.

Sustainable and Affordable

The house is gently placed into the landscape, and is built in a way so that it preserves the nature around it.

The Eames wanted to emphasize the importance of a direct relationship with nature, which is why they advocated for as little environmental impact as possible.

The large glass openings allow for natural light, which reduces the need for electricity and heating during colder months.

The movement for cheap, affordable and sustainable homes for wartime families is what pushed the Eames to devote themselves to designing the Case Study #8.

Conclusion and Analysis

The Eames House succeeded in creating a seam-less space that reflects their lifestyle: a complete integration of work and personal life.

Their house represents the idea of a post war, affordable and easy to build household.

Works Citedhttp://www.archdaily.com/66302/ad-classics-eames-house-charles-and-ray-eames

http://eamesfoundation.org/house/eames-house/

http://www.archdaily.com/620033/a-virtual-look-into-the-eames-case-study-house-8

http://www.eamesoffice.com/the-work/eames-house-case-study-house-8/