Eames House, Modernist residence in Pacific Palisades, United States
The residence is a pair of steel-framed boxes set into a slope above the Pacific Ocean, with walls made almost entirely of glass and colored panels. The exterior shows a grid of black metal frames filled with transparent glass, opaque sections in primary colors, and white infill panels that create a checkerboard effect.
The couple constructed both buildings in 1949 as part of an experiment where architects designed modern homes using industrial materials. The design emerged after a change from the original plans that called for construction on the meadow, with the finished version tucked among the trees instead.
The name comes from the couple who lived and worked here for decades, designing furniture now displayed in museums worldwide. Visitors see the collection of toys, masks and textiles the pair gathered on travels and arranged throughout the rooms.
Access requires advance booking, and the walk from the roadside takes about five minutes uphill. The approach follows a residential street in Pacific Palisades, where parking spaces line the curb.
The interior remains unchanged since the last occupant died in 1988, with books, furniture and personal items in their original positions. This preservation offers a direct glimpse into the daily life and working methods of a design couple during the second half of the 20th century.
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