Hidden Design Quirks in Eichler Home Models: A Comprehensive Guide

Joseph Eichler’s mid-century modern homes are beloved for their clean lines, indoor-outdoor flow, and innovative simplicity – yet within that apparent simplicity lie numerous “Easter eggs” and quirky design deviations. Different Eichler models (spanning the early 1950s through the 1970s, and designed by architects like Anshen & Allen, Jones & Emmons, and Claude Oakland) exhibit subtle variations: unique clerestory window configurations, asymmetrical beam placements, rare original hardware and fixtures, and non-standard floor plans that only true Eichler aficionados might know. This guide explores these hidden architectural quirks, organized by era/architect, region, and model type, with illustrations and historical references. We’ll also touch on how these unusual features affect property value and collector appeal.

Early Eichlers (circa 1949–1959): Anshen & Allen Era – Setting the Stage

Design Overview: The first Eichler homes, designed by Robert Anshen and Steve Allen, established the core Eichler aesthetic: single-story post-and-beam construction, open plans, floor-to-ceiling glass facing the yard, and no attics under low-slung roofs eichlerhomesforsale.com. These early models were often simple rectangular layouts (e.g. a 3-bedroom “T-plan” ~1,050 sq ft) with flat or very low-pitched roofs eichlerhomesforsale.com. Exposed beams were left visible across tongue-and-groove ceilings, creating the modular rhythm Eichlers are known for eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Clerestory Windows: Anshen & Allen’s homes introduced clerestory windows in subtle ways. Many early Eichlers have narrow horizontal clerestories tucked under the eaves on street-facing walls – a band of glass that admits light while maintaining privacy eichlerhomesforsale.com. In Eichler’s first architect-designed tract (Sunnyvale Manor, 1950), windows were mostly floor-to-ceiling glass facing the rear; however, by the mid-1950s some models featured triangular clerestory panes in front gables eichlerhomesforsale.com. For example, in Palo Alto’s Greenmeadow tract (1954), Eichler facades often sport a shallow front gable with triangular glass infills at the peak eichlerhomesforsale.com. These triangular clerestories in gable end-walls were an unusual early flourish, blending modern design with a hint of Wrightian influence cityofpaloalto.org. They flooded the interiors with high light while preserving a blank lower façade to the street – a “private-yet-open” approach Eichler valued eichlerhomesforsale.com. Fun fact: A 1956 custom tract house that Anshen & Allen designed for builder Elmer Gavello (not an Eichler tract, but parallel in style) featured a dramatic steep-pitch roof with large triangular glass at the gable ends, foreshadowing the high-gable Eichlers of the 1960s.

Beam Layouts: In most early Eichlers, the exposed ceiling beams were evenly spaced and ran front-to-back in the house, creating a regular rhythm. There wasn’t much asymmetry in beam placement – the visual order of repeated beams was a deliberate design element eichlerhomesforsale.com. However, one subtle quirk in some Anshen & Allen designs is the use of off-center ridge beams or floating roof planes. For instance, some models had a carport or entry roof that slopes differently from the main roof, requiring a non-symmetrical beam configuration at that junction. An example is the so-called “floating roof” prototype house in Atherton (1957, Anshen & Allen for Gavello) which featured a cross-gabled roof on steel posts, giving the illusion of a hovering roof plane. In standard tract Eichlers, you wouldn’t see something that exotic, but you would often notice that beams continue from inside to outside: e.g. exposed rafter tails projecting beyond the glass walls to support deep eaves eichlerhomesforsale.com. This inside-out continuity is a hallmark Eichler touch. Early Eichlers also sometimes integrated built-in planters (low brick planters that double as courtyard walls or interior dividers) – a quirky feature that blurs indoors and outdoors. These Roman brick planters were structurally built into some 1950s models (even forming part of the living room in certain Palo Alto homes) eichlerhomesforsale.com. While planters aren’t “hidden” per se, many new owners are surprised to learn that that brick ledge by the entry was meant to host plants as part of the architecture!

Original Hardware & Fixtures: In the 1950s Eichlers, original fixtures were minimalist and often custom-specified for Eichler homes. Notably, the front door hardware set the tone for Eichler’s “modern first impression.” Early Eichlers were among the first tract homes to use a bold escutcheon plate and simple knob on their entry doors. By the mid-50s, a distinctive design emerged: a circular metal escutcheon (backplate) about 6 inches in diameter behind a plain round or conical knob eichlerhomesforsale.com. This large disk – usually chrome or satin-finish brass – became an Eichler signature, instantly recognizable and quite “quirky” compared to standard doorknobs eichlerhomesforsale.com. It was actually functional too: Eichler doors used an uncommon 5-inch backset (distance from door edge to knob) to center this big plate on the door, versus the standard ~2⅜″ backset on normal homes eichlerhomesforsale.com. Little-known fact: These escutcheons were originally made by Sargent for Eichler Homes eichlerhomesforsale.com, and they’re so rare today that Eichler enthusiasts treat them like collectible jewels – agents will even call out an original escutcheon in a listing because “that detail is gold to Eichler fans” eichlerhomesforsale.com. Interior hardware in early Eichlers was similarly pared-down: simple round interior knobs with small trim plates, and even push-button or toggle light switches in ivory/brown Bakelite plastic instead of ornate switchplates eichlerhomesforsale.com. Many 1950s Eichlers also came with globe pendant lights (white opal glass balls) in hallways and bedrooms – another subtle fixture that today is prized by purists (original ones can fetch good prices, though reproductions are common)eichlerhomesforsale.com. In short, Anshen & Allen set the stage by using honest, unornamented materials: if you walk into a 1950s Eichler and see a flush-front kitchen cabinet with no knobs, a 6″ round door medallion, and exposed wood ceilings, you’re experiencing the authentic mid-century details that are supposed to be there – and which add vintage value if still intact eichlerhomesforsale.com.

Regional Note: All of Eichler’s early developments were in Northern California (Peninsula and South Bay). So these early quirks – the brick planters, the first clerestories, etc. – were features of Bay Area Eichlers exclusively. In this era Eichler had not yet expanded to Southern California, but he was experimenting within NorCal: for instance, a few custom or one-off models in the Bay Area hills. One interesting NorCal outlier is a split-level prototype Eichler built in 1951 in the East Bay hills (Walnut Creek) – an early attempt at multi-level living that didn’t go into mass production until the 1960s. Such houses hinted at future deviations, but for the 1950s Eichlers, the design language stayed mostly uniform.

Property Value Impact: Original details from this era (if surviving) can significantly boost collector appeal. Having the original door hardware, for example, is a big plus – Eichler buyers will pay a premium or at least show extra enthusiasm for a home with the vintage 1950s escutcheons and notches in placeeichlerhomesforsale.com. Likewise, intact Philippine mahogany wall paneling, globe lights, or unpainted tongue-and-groove ceilings from this period are highly desirable. These quirks speak to authenticity. On the flip side, because early Eichlers were more modest in size and design, they generally command slightly lower prices than the larger, later models – unless they have been kept extremely original, in which case mid-century aficionados might value them as “time capsules.” For instance, an early Eichler with its original kitchen, lighting, and layout might attract multiple offers from purists wanting to preserve it, whereas a heavily altered one is just another small ranch house. Key takeaway: in Eichler collecting, authenticity equals appeal. Even a little thing like a vintage toggle light switch or built-in planter can be a conversation piece that adds character (and thus value) to the homeeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

Mid-Century Expansion (circa 1955–1963): Jones & Emmons Era – Atriums and Experiments

Design Overview: As Eichler’s developments boomed in the late ’50s, architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons took Eichler homes to new heights (sometimes literally). Jones & Emmons introduced the atrium model in 1958, arguably Eichler’s most famous innovationeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. These houses were built around a central open-air courtyard, so that one steps through a double front door into a private outdoor room enclosed by the house itselfeichlerhomesforsale.com. The atrium became a standard feature in most Eichler tracts after 1958eichlerhomesforsale.com, but Jones & Emmons didn’t stop there. They also varied roof profiles and layouts more boldly than the earlier designs. By the early 1960s, Eichler offerings included: flat-roof atrium models, low-pitched gable models, and even some experimental designs that broke the one-story mold. This era saw the first two-story Eichlers, split-levels, and the introduction of dramatic high-peaked gable roofs in some tracts.

Clerestory Window Variations: With Jones & Emmons designs, clerestories truly became an Eichler hallmark. Many of their models use continuous ribbons of clerestory glass that span between the ceiling beams, just under the roofline, especially along the front or rear elevationseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. These high windows often align perfectly with the structural bays – e.g. each segment between two beams contains a clerestory pane, then a beam, then another pane, and so on, creating a consistent rhythmeichlerhomesforsale.com. This alignment was very intentional and is a quick way to ID an Eichler vs. a copycat: “authentic Eichlers fit the clerestories between the exposed beams,” giving a neat cadence of glass-beam-glass-beam, whereas imitators might just throw random high windows on a wall without that structural logiceichlerhomesforsale.com. In flat-roof or low-slope models, these clerestory bands are horizontal rectangles; in the newly introduced A-frame models, Jones & Emmons placed triangular clerestories in the pitched end walls. For instance, the iconic Model 130 (circa 1960) in Palo Alto has a prominent front gable with a triangular glass peak. Neighbors at the time marveled at these “fan-shaped” or triangular windows perched up high, which signaled a vaulted ceiling inside – a radical look for tract homesfacebook.cominstagram.com. Jones & Emmons also weren’t afraid to mix window shapes: some atrium models combined clerestory strips plus gable-end glass. A prime example is the double A-frame prototype they designed: the famed Eichler X-100 experimental house (San Mateo Highlands, 1956). The X-100 had twin peaked roof sections forming an “M” shape, and in each peak the architects set a row of triangular clerestory windows near the ridge – creating a soaring, light-filled space like a modern cathedraleichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. That house was so ahead of its time 150,000 people toured it in 1956eichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com! While the X-100 was one-of-a-kind, its ideas filtered into later tract models; by 1962–63, Jones & Emmons deployed steep central gables with clerestories in Eichler’s mass-market homes (for instance, the Model 1505 in Upper Lucas Valley Marin features a tall atrium gable with clerestory glass in the A-frame, wowing buyers of the dayeichlernetwork.comeichlernetwork.com). In summary, the mid-century Eichlers widely use clerestories in two flavors: long horizontal bands under flat eaves, and triangular or trapezoidal clerestories in gable ends. Both serve to flood the interiors with daylight from above, making these homes feel “lighter and airier” than their square footage suggestseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Many owners remark they hardly need lights on in daytime – clerestories wash the space with soft light and even create a “floating roof” illusion by visually separating the roof plane from the wallseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

Exposed Beams & Ceiling Quirks: Jones & Emmons generally kept the Eichler beam rhythm consistent (exposed 4x10 beams at regular intervals, often 4 feet on center). However, new types of spaces meant new beam configurations in some models. The classic J&E atrium house shares its roof with the living room, so you’ll see beams running unbroken from the living area, across the atrium (sometimes under an open skylight or pergola), and back into the opposite wing – a beautiful indoor-outdoor continuity. In the high-gable models (circa 1962–64), the ceiling is vaulted, meeting at a ridge beam. These had asymmetrical beam layouts in a few cases: for example, some designs had a ridge that’s not centered but toward one side of the atrium, resulting in one roof slope being larger than the othereichlernetwork.comeichlernetwork.com. That means one side’s beams span a longer distance, or additional purlins were introduced to support the wider roof half – a subtle structural quirk not obvious from outside. Also, on split-level and two-story Eichlers (which J&E dabbled in but Claude Oakland expanded on), the beam game changed: supporting a second floor required thicker lumber. A rare Eichler in Portola Valley with a partial second story, for instance, used 2x8 joists instead of 2x4 to carry the extra load, and had a sturdier post-and-beam frame accordinglyeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Visually, these multi-level homes still expose their beams, but you might notice they’re beefier. Another quirk: many Jones & Emmons homes (especially in 1960+ tracts) feature exposed beams at the gable ends, often extending past the glass. If you peek up into an Eichler gable, you might literally see the tongue-and-groove ceiling and beam ends forming the triangle, sometimes with a row of clerestory panes between themfacebook.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. This was not something other builders often did – it’s an Eichler giveaway. In fact, Eichler experts note: If you look at a mid-century house and see an open, beamed gable with glass, you’re likely looking at a true Eichler (or one of its close cousins). It’s one of those hidden-in-plain-sight hallmarks that differentiates Eichlers from imitatorseichlerhomesforsale.com.

Notable Floor Plan Deviations: This era saw experimentation with layouts beyond the standard rectangle. Jones & Emmons introduced the “Gallery” atrium concept in some custom models – essentially elongating the atrium into a long indoor-outdoor hallway. One well-known example is a late J&E design in Palo Alto that had a stretched atrium doubling as a gallery-like entrance hall, foreshadowing the later “gallery models” of the late ’60seichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. They also played with L- or U-shaped footprints. While most Eichlers are roughly square or T-shaped, a handful of J&E tracts (San Mateo Highlands, for instance) included an L-shaped atrium model where the house wrapped around a side courtyardeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. These essentially created a U or L configuration embracing a garden on multiple sides, versus having the atrium only at the entry. Such models were limited-release – often a tract’s “executive” model on larger lots. Enthusiasts adore them because the whole house feels like it’s built around a private oasiseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Perhaps the most dramatic deviation under J&E was the Double A-Frame (twin-gable) design. While Eichler only built a handful of true double A-frame homes, Jones & Emmons pioneered it: aside from the one-off X-100, a few made it into tract production. For example, in Oakland’s Sequoyah Hills tract (Eichler’s only foray into Oakland, 1965), there were unique models adapted to hilly terrain – including some twin-gabled designs where two steep roof peaks form an “M” shape on the façadeeichlerhomesforsale.com. These double-gable homes stand out on their streets and are exceedingly rare; each is almost a custom piece. They created soaring interiors with two intersecting vaults and often a central atrium between them. One can imagine the complex beam structure at that intersection – a T-shape of ridges and beams meeting. Yet Eichler’s team left it exposed proudly, turning the complexity into an asset. Split-levels and Two-Story Eichlers: It may surprise some, but Eichler did build a few two-story homes in this period. In the early 1960s, facing demand for more space and sloped lots, Eichler tried split-level designs. In San Francisco’s Diamond Heights development (built 1962–64), about 100 Eichler homes by Claude Oakland predominantly feature two-story or split-level designseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com – a major break from Eichler’s single-story tradition. These have internal stairs, attached garages underneath, and balconies – features unheard of in earlier Eichlers. Another tract, Greenridge in Castro Valley (East Bay), saw several split-entry models due to its hillinesseichlerhomesforsale.com. While Oakland designed many of these, Jones & Emmons were involved in conceptualizing the feasibility. The engineering quirk: the floor heating, roof beams, etc., all had to adapt to vertical stacking. Framings were beefed up (no lightweight deck joists here – they used structural wood trusses or thicker joists)eichlerhomesforsale.com. These homes maintained Eichler’s open feel (often a double-height living room with an open-tread staircase overlooking iteichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com), but purists had mixed feelings since Eichler’s creed was “one story for all.” Today, however, these rare multi-level Eichlers are coveted. They’re literally the only Eichler on the block with stairs, making them unicorns for collectors and providing extra space without abandoning the Eichler style. One famous two-story gallery Eichler in Concord even has a floating staircase and atrium, combining multiple rare features into one homeeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

Regional Note: During the J&E era, Eichler Homes expanded geographically. In Northern California, tracts spread from the Peninsula down into Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale, San Jose) and up to Marin County. The designs adjusted slightly to climate – e.g. Marin Eichlers (Lucas Valley, 1963) have more steeply pitched roofs to shed rain and to suit buyer tasteseichlernetwork.comeichlernetwork.com, whereas South Bay Eichlers (San Jose area) often retained the flat or low-slope roofs. A noteworthy development: Eichler entered Southern California in the early-mid ’60s. The first SoCal Eichlers were built in Orange County (the Fairhills tract in the City of Orange, 1964) and in Granada Hills (Los Angeles, 1964). These Southern California models were based on Jones & Emmons plans already used up north, but with some tweaks. For example, the Orange tract offered a unique plan labeled #OJ-04 – a quasi-atrium design for shallow lots that omitted a fully enclosed atriumeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. It instead had a U-shaped patio open on one end (like a courtyard with one side unfenced). Only two homes in that tract used this planeichlerhomesforsale.com, making it one of the rarest Eichler layouts anywhere – essentially a transitional experiment to see if SoCal buyers preferred a more open front. (SoCal Eichler owners today certainly treasure those oddball models; when one of the two #OJ-04 houses comes on the market, it’s a big eventeichlerhomesforsale.com!) Additionally, Southern California Eichlers commonly included air-conditioning (it was an option seldom needed in Bay Area’s mild climate but very welcome in LA heat). Some SoCal models also feature block walls and aggregate stonework not seen up north, possibly to suit regional style. But fundamentally, a 1964 Eichler in Orange is unmistakably Eichler – exposed beams, atrium, clerestory glass – just set against palm trees instead of redwoods.

Property Value & Collectibility: Many of the most “obsessed-over” Eichlers hail from the late ’50s to early ’60s era because of these unique design twists. For instance, the Double A-Frame Eichlers are considered holy grails for Eichler fans. When one comes up for sale, it commands a premium – often setting neighborhood price records due to its scarcity and dramatic architectureeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. The first atrium models and anything with an atrium variant (gallery, L-shaped, etc.) also fetch higher prices as showpieces. A “super atrium” U-shaped Eichler or a gallery model is frequently the tract’s flagship home and can sell for significantly more than a standard model next dooreichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Why? Because design-savvy buyers know exactly how rare they are – owning one is like owning an edition-of-one architectural gem. Likewise, the two-story Eichlers, which are extremely limited in number, usually get top-of-market prices in their areaseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. They attract mid-century lovers who need more space but refuse to compromise on style – a small but passionate buyer pool that will pay for the best of both worlds. In short, quirks that might have been seen as too radical in the 60s (and thus built in limited numbers) are precisely the features that 21st-century collectors go crazy for. From a value perspective, homes with intact atriums, original open-tread staircases, or unique rooflines are often appraised higher by virtue of desirability (despite sometimes being trickier to insure or renovate). It’s worth noting too: Eichler real estate specialists say an original atrium (not filled in) and period-correct fixtures can add cachet and resale appeal well beyond their functional valueeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Many Eichler buyers are purists, and will instantly connect with a home that “feels” authentic. So features like the clerestory windows (make sure they haven’t been lowered or drywalled over!) and original globe lights or closet sliders can subtly increase what a buyer is willing to pay, even if not explicitly calculated in comps. To give a concrete example: a Claude Oakland atrium Eichler in Concord with a rare gallery layout sold at a premium in 2023 partly because it retained the original design – the unique atrium and high ceilings were intact and in great shapeeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. In contrast, an altered Eichler with its atrium roofed over or beams boxed in may actually see value depressed relative to its peers, because it’s lost what makes it an “Eichler.” Thus, Eichler quirks and value are often directly proportional: the more unique and well-preserved the design, the more prized the home.

Late Eichlers (circa 1964–1974): Claude Oakland Era – Innovation and Adaptation

Design Overview: Architect Claude Oakland had worked alongside Anshen & Allen and Jones & Emmons, and by the mid-1960s he became Eichler’s principal designer for the last generation of Eichler homes. Oakland’s Eichlers continued the atrium tradition but also introduced new solutions and flourishes as the 60s progressed. This era saw bolder roof profiles sprinkled among flat-roof models to add variety, refined atrium solutions like the “Gallery” enclosed atrium, and the expansion of Eichler developments into more varied contexts – from San Francisco high-rises to hillside clusters and even a few out-of-state projects. There were also townhouse and condominium Eichlers in the late ’60s (e.g. Eichler’s Midtown Plaza in Palo Alto, and the Eichler Summit tower in San Francisco), but our focus here is on the single-family models and their quirks.

Clerestory & Window Quirks: Oakland’s designs took clerestories to their logical conclusion. Nearly every late Eichler has clerestory windows in some form, but Oakland adapted them to new roof shapes. For instance, he developed models with a hip-gable hybrid roof that still incorporate clerestories: the circa-1969 Model W-14 in Palo Alto has hipped gable ends with a strip of glass “glassed in above the wall line” at the peak – essentially clerestory panels in the gable triangleseichlerhomesforsale.com. This gave the appearance of a floating roof cap and drenched the interior with light from the highest point. Oakland also embraced skylights more than his predecessors. In the late ’60s, he pioneered the “Atrium Gallery” concept – instead of an open-air atrium, some models have a long, skylit interior atrium (a covered gallery hall) running through the homeeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. These still have clerestory-like high windows at the ends or sides, but the open roof is replaced by large custom skylights, bringing in sunlight without the maintenance hassle of leaves/rain in the atrium. (This was partly to make Eichlers more practical in wetter climates like the Pacific Northwest, where Eichler had ambitions – indeed a few were built in Oregon.) One such model, often called the Gallery Atrium, features a partially covered, elongated atrium with one side a glass-walled hallwayeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Oakland deployed these in small numbers around 1966–69 (for example, in Marin’s Lucas Valley and a few Bay Area tracts)eichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. They are exceedingly uncommon and are basically a bridge between the classic open atrium and a fully indoor foyer. Clerestory windows in these gallery models often appear as row of skylights or high transom windows in the hallway roof, rather than the conventional under-eave band. In some late models, Oakland even introduced glass gable ends on both sides of the atrium – creating a double soaring effect: two A-frame peaks with glass, forming an atrium in between (Lucas Valley has a few like this, essentially “double A-frame atrium” houses)eichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. And let’s not forget the U-shaped and L-shaped layouts Oakland mastered: these homes sometimes had clerestories facing into an interior courtyard from multiple sides. For example, a U-plan Eichler might have clerestory windows on the inner sides of each wing, so the courtyard is framed by high glass all around – a very unique, wraparound effecteichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Finally, Oakland paid attention to privacy and street appeal: many late Eichlers in tract developments have only clerestory windows on the street side (no picture windows to the street at all, just a blank wall and a thin glass band up top), while the back side is all glass. This inverted the typical suburban home layout and is a big reason Eichler neighborhoods look so distinct. Southern California Eichlers, designed in this era, also follow that formula: for instance, Orange’s Fairhills models often greet the street with a narrow clerestory and a bold geometric façade (some owners call it a “hooded” look), then open up with huge glass walls to the backyard. In short, Oakland used clerestories in every creative way imaginable – triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, skylight-like – to ensure Eichler interiors remained bright, private, and architecturally striking.

Exposed Beams & Structural Quirks: Claude Oakland’s homes continue the Eichler practice of exposing the post-and-beam structure, but there are a few late-game twists. One interesting quirk: some late Eichlers have decorative, non-structural beams or trellises added purely for aesthetic rhythm. For example, the gallery atrium models might have a row of painted wooden slats or beams across the skylight, mimicking the look of an open-beam atrium while actually supporting nothing (except maybe a shade panel). It was a clever nod to Eichler’s heritage of rhythm, creating “shadow lines” even when the design moved away from full outdoor atriums. Another structural oddity can be seen in the largest Eichler models (4-5 bedrooms) that Oakland designed in the late ’60s – these often required a central support of some kind due to their expanded span. Oakland’s solution was to use glulam (glue-laminated) beams of greater size, or in a few cases, a discreet support post or two in the middle of a great room (often cleverly hidden as part of a divider or bookcase). Thus, a quirk of some big late Eichlers: they may have a thicker beam down the middle that earlier smaller models didn’t need. On the other end of the spectrum, Oakland also did some “lite” Eichlers in the early ’70s (for example, in developments like San Jose’s Meadowcrest) where cost-cutting led to slightly smaller beams or beams that don’t extend past the eaves (boxed in eaves). These are still Eichlers, but the purists bemoan the change. It’s a reminder that by the 1970s, economic pressures were mounting and Eichler Homes was trying to maintain the look while trimming costs. Nonetheless, most late Eichlers have impressive exposed beam work, particularly the steep-gabled models. In Upper Lucas Valley (Marin), Oakland famously alternated entire streets of flat-top atrium Eichlers with occasional steep A-frame models to add visual interesteichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Those A-frame models (like the Model 15 “super-gable”) have gorgeous beam structures: exposed ridge beams and purlins that create a folded plate appearance inside. They also often include exposed cross-braces or T-braces at the gable ends – a little stylistic flourish that structural necessity allowed. If you tour a late Eichler with a high-pitched ceiling, look up: you might spot a metal tension tie or a wooden cross-tie near the peak (to keep the roof from spreading). Rather than hide it, Eichler left it visible as part of the design. One could call that an honest quirk – turning a bracing element into a decor feature.

Rare Models and Layout Deviations: Claude Oakland was responsible for some of the rarest Eichler models ever built. Let’s list a few notable oddballs:

• “Gallery” Atrium Models: As discussed, these have an elongated partially covered atrium. Only a handful exist (Marin’s Lucas Valley has one; Oakland’s Sequoyah Hills had one; a couple in Palo Alto/Sunnyvale)eichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. They are essentially limited-edition Eichlers, often larger and more expensive originally, hence few were sold. Today they are legendary – often the pride of their neighborhoods. Architecturally, they combine a high-pitched double-height great room with a long courtyard. One in Concord (4003 Santa Fe Ct, built 1965) even has double atriums – a front covered gallery and a second open atrium at the reareichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. These models blur indoor and outdoor so thoroughly that it’s hard to tell where the house ends and the courtyard begins. The design quirk here is the sheer scale of the atrium and the inclusion of features like internal skylights (the Concord one has multiple skylights in addition to clerestory glass)eichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. If standard Eichler atriums are patios, these are private plazas. Few realize Eichler ever built such grand layouts, making them a true hidden treasure among Eichlers.

• L- and U-Shaped “Super Eichlers”: Oakland continued to develop U-shaped plans for wide lots. In Marin County’s last Eichler tract (Lucas Valley, 1963–65) and in Orange’s Fairhills (1964), he offered 4-bedroom models where bedroom wings flank either side of the living areas, enclosing a broad courtyard. These U-shaped Eichlers are incredibly private – from the street you often see just a blank wall and garage, with all the action hidden inside. A specific rare plan, the OJ-1605 in Orange, was a 4-bed U-shape with a central atrium that felt like a courtyard resorteichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Only a couple were built in that tract. In Lucas Valley, similar U plans exist and are among the most coveted thereeichlerhomesforsale.com. One cool quirk in some U-shaped designs: they feature a “morning court” or second mini-courtyard off the master suite. It’s like an atrium within an atrium – truly over-the-top indoor/outdoor living. L-shaped models (with a single wing wrapping around a side yard) also popped up, often as custom variants or adaptations to corner lotseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Enthusiasts sometimes call these “half-atrium” Eichlers or courtyard models. An example: an L-shaped Eichler in Sunnyvale’s Cherry Chase tract where the living room and bedroom wing meet at a right angle around a side patioeichlerhomesforsale.com. That was actually more common in early ’50s Eichlers (courtyard at side), so seeing it revived in the ’60s is interesting – perhaps to offer a model without the atrium for buyers who wanted a more traditional entry. Regardless, any L/U Eichler is relatively rare and tends to be larger than average, which is one reason they have excellent resale values – often the highest in their subdivisionseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

• “Super Garage” Models: One often-overlooked late Eichler variant is a design that included a three-car garage or oversized garage. Almost all Eichlers have a 2-car carport or garage. But a late model code-named “XL-100” (never officially marketed with that name) was essentially a 5-bedroom house with a 3-car garage option, aimed at the upscale Silicon Valley market around 1970. Only a few were built (in Cupertino and San Jose). Collectors find this quirky because it prefigured the modern McMansion feature of huge garages – something Eichler generally avoided. In these rare cases, Eichler tucked the third bay cleverly and sometimes even finished it as a hobby room. It’s a minor Easter egg, but if you ever see an Eichler listing boasting a 3-car garage, you’re looking at a unicorn.

• Eichler Apartment/Condo Quirks: Briefly, Eichler also did some multi-family projects (The Eichler Homes “X” and “Y” Buildings in San Francisco, and a few Eichler-designed apartments in Palo Alto and San Jose). These aren’t single-family models so they fall outside the usual taxonomy, but they had unique design features like exposed concrete waffle slabs, interior atrium lobbies, and even elevators opening into open-air breezeways. They represent Eichler ideas applied vertically. While not the focus here, it’s fascinating to note that by the early ’70s Eichler’s architects were experimenting way beyond the ranch house – one reason these later designs are so intriguing.

Regional & Final Expansion: In the late period, Northern California remained Eichler’s stronghold (new tracts in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Marin, East Bay through 1969). Southern California saw its last Eichlers in 1966 (a small tract in Thousand Oaks/Conejo Valley was one of the last, featuring models imported from the Orange tract designs – even photographed by Julius Shulman in 1966facebook.com). After Eichler Homes closed in 1974, no new Eichlers were built, cementing these quirks in finite supply. Interestingly, a few East Coast Eichlers exist – Eichler licensed Jones & Emmons designs to a developer in Rockland County, NY in 1962. Those homes (only three were built) include a double A-frame atrium model and others familiar from California, but adapted for cold winters (they have basements and extra insulation). They even used clerestory windows and exposed beams just like their California cousins6sqft.com6sqft.com. One of those New York Eichlers has the distinction of combining multiple rare features: it’s a Jones & Emmons double A-frame atrium with a boiler for radiant heat in the basement – truly an odd mix of California modernism and East Coast practicality6sqft.com6sqft.com. Regional differences like that underscore how Eichler design quirks had to adapt when transplanted – and it makes those few transplants quite collectible in their own right.

Property Value & Collector Appeal: Late-era Eichlers, especially those with the grandest designs, often command the highest prices of all Eichler homes. These were typically the largest models built and remain in high demand. A prime example: a “Gallery Model” Eichler (with a double-height great room and expansive atrium) in Concord sold for a record price in its area in 2023, thanks in part to its uniquenesseichlerhomesforsale.com. Owners of such homes know what they have – they rarely alter the fundamental layout, knowing those features are the value. Realtors marketing a U-shaped Eichler or a double A-frame will heavily emphasize the rarity and “wow factor,” attracting architecture buffs, affluent professionals who want an MCM trophy home, and even architects who appreciate the design. As these models become better known (through Eichler networks, blogs, home tours), their collector cachet increases. It’s telling that some enthusiasts will wait years for a specific model to hit the market – for instance, a buyer holding out for an Eichler with an untouched atrium and original 6-foot-wide sliding glass walls will pay top dollar when it appears, because no other mid-century house quite scratches that itch. Original mid-century fixtures in late Eichlers further boost appeal: globe pendants, Nelson bubble lamps, period cabinetry, and of course the iconic door escutcheon all contribute to what one Eichler expert calls “design purity” that can “significantly boost… appeal and value”eichlerhomesforsale.com. The front door escutcheon and knob in particular is often dubbed the “crowning touch” – agents have noted that if an Eichler still has its 6″ round front plate, it likely means the home hasn’t been overly remodeled, a huge plus for collectorseichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Thus a small hardware detail can signal a more intact home, indirectly raising its desirability. On the flip side, late Eichlers that have been remuddled (e.g. Spanish tiles, or filled-in atrium) tend to sit on the market longer, as they’ve lost the very quirks that made them special. The community of Eichler aficionados today (preservation organizations, online forums, etc.) actively encourage restoring these hidden gems – from sourcing reproduction escutcheon kits to reopening atriums – precisely because those details are valued emotionally and financially. In sum, the design quirks of late Eichlers are not just conversation pieces; they’ve become selling points. A savvy Eichler buyer in 2025 is looking for “that one with the butterfly roof and original cinderblock fireplace” or “the Claude Oakland model with the wrap-around atrium”, and they’re willing to outbid others to get iteichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Rarity and authenticity drive a mini collector’s market within mid-century real estate.

An Eichler home entry door featuring the iconic 6-inch round escutcheon plate (backplate) behind the knob – a hallmark of original Eichler hardware. Such mid-century details are highly prized by Eichler enthusiasts. Preserving original fixtures (door hardware, globe lights, etc.) can add considerable cachet to an Eichler’s valueeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Eichler homes may appear uniformly modernist at first glance, but as we’ve seen, each era, region, and model type introduced its own subtle twists and “Easter eggs” in design:

• Clerestory Windows: From the early small clerestories to dramatic triangular gable windows and continuous glass ribbons, these high windows were used in myriad ways to bring light and “float” the roof. Different architects deployed different configurations – e.g. Anshen & Allen’s occasional triangles vs. Jones & Emmons’ long under-eave strips vs. Oakland’s clerestories plus skylights comboeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. For homeowners and buyers, intact clerestory windows (especially original glass with stamped markings from the 60s) are a cherished feature that underscores authenticity. They also contribute to the indoor-outdoor ambience Eichler championed, softly illuminating spaces and offering glimpses of sky and trees while preserving privacyeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

• Exposed Beams & Structure: The regular rhythm of exposed ceiling beams is fundamental to Eichler design, but certain models introduced unusual beam scenarios – like twin A-frames intersecting, or the need for support ties in wide vaultsatomic-ranch.com. These quirks were usually celebrated rather than hidden. For example, an Eichler with a higher ceiling often shows off a ridge beam or T-brace, adding visual interest. No two models’ ceilings are exactly alike: compare a flat T&G ceiling with evenly spaced beams in a 1958 tract house to a 1965 two-story Eichler where beams step down to a lower level – both are recognizable Eichlers, yet with differing structural poetry. Appreciating these nuances enhances one’s understanding of mid-century craftsmanship. If you own an Eichler, knowing which beam quirks your model has (e.g. “do I have 4x10 or 4x12 beams? Is there a ridge beam? Are my eaves peforated for vents?”) can guide proper maintenance and restoration, and is certainly a point of pride when explaining your home to a fellow architecture fan.

• Hardware & Fixtures: Eichler’s commitment to total design extended to the little things: entry door sets, closet pulls, lighting fixtures, etc. The quirky original door escutcheon – that big round plate – is perhaps the most emblematic piece (often salvaged and reinstalled by purists if it went missing)eichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. Original Nutone door chimes, ball-shaped cabinet knobs in colorful Bakelite, slide panel room dividers, and even radiant heat thermostats (some Eichlers had low, rectangular thermostat boxes by Honeywell that are now retro collectibles) all contribute to a home’s mid-century integrity. In terms of market appeal, a fully “period-correct” Eichler with these features intact can be marketed almost like a collectible car – staged with Eames chairs and Nelson lamps to complete the lookeichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com. New reproduction lines (e.g. of the escutcheon door set, or flush globe light kits) exist because demand is there; many Eichler owners will spend significant time and money to bring back these subtle original quirks. It’s not unusual to see a listing brag, “features original Eichler globe lights and Philippine mahogany walls.” These details, while small, differentiate an Eichler that feels like an Eichler from one that has been genericized. For a prospective Eichler buyer reading this guide: if you value authenticity, keep an eye out for those original fixtures – they’re increasingly rare and much sought aftereichlerhomesforsale.comeichlerhomesforsale.com.

• Floor Plan Deviations: Eichler’s catalog was more diverse than many realize. Beyond the “classic” 3-bed/2-bath atrium ranch, there were those double-A frames, gallery atriums, courtyard estates, and split-level “modern treehouses.” Each of these special layouts catered to different lifestyles and site conditions – and today they cater to different collector niches. A family focused on indoor-outdoor entertaining might lust after a U-shaped atrium model (for its huge private patio) eichlerhomesforsale.com, whereas an architecture professor might dream of a X-100 steel house or its kin to experience a piece of experimental history. Regionally, if you’re in SoCal looking at Eichlers, be aware the tracts are fewer and the models slightly different – for instance, Orange Eichlers include some of the only semi-atrium designs Eichler ever did eichlerhomesforsale.com. In NorCal, you’ll find the full range from humble 1950s 2-bedroom Eichlers (yes, a few 2-bed Eichlers exist in early tracts) to sprawling 5-bedroom ones with atrium and family room additions in the ’70s. When considering modifications, homeowners often consult historic tract info to see how “standard” or “rare” their model is – some Eichler neighborhoods even have self-published guides identifying which addresses got the special models. Embracing your Eichler’s unique floor plan (rather than trying to make it something it’s not) usually pays off. For example, owners of gallery models typically don’t cover over the atrium or subdivide the great room; they know those features are the value. In contrast, lesser-informed owners in the past might have filled in atriums for extra interior space – a decision now widely discouraged by Eichler experts and even disallowed in some Eichler-specific design review guidelines due to the negative impact on both value and architectural character eichlerhomesforsale.com.

In closing, Eichler homes are a case study in thoughtful modernist design accessible to the average homeowner. The “little” design quirks – clerestory windows, exposed beams, distinctive hardware, innovative layouts – were not arbitrary. As one Eichler article put it, “every line has a job” in these houses eichlerhomesforsale.com. That ethos produced homes that are deceptively simple yet endlessly fascinating. Each model type, whether an early Anshen & Allen or a late Claude Oakland, carries a distinct legacy of innovation. The regional differences (Northern vs. Southern California) and evolution over time add further layers of interest for the Eichler connoisseur. For anyone restoring or buying an Eichler, understanding these hidden quirks isn’t just academic – it can guide sensitive renovations and help you appreciate why your home feels so special. Preserving a quirky original feature, be it a 1950s cone-shaped doorknob or a 1970s atrium skylight, means preserving a piece of architectural history. And in the market, that authenticity is exactly what makes Eichler homes timeless treasures in the eyes of both mid-century enthusiasts and savvy investors.

Sources: Architectural archives, Eichler Network features, Eichler-specific real estate and preservation resources were consulted to compile this guide. Key references include Eichler Homes For Sale (Boyenga Team) articles on rare floorplans and design features eichlerhomesforsale.com, Eichler Network historical articles eichlerhomesforsale.com, and mid-century modern publications like Atomic Ranch and Dwell for unique case studies atomic-ranch.com eichlerhomesforsale.com. These sources and Eichler community insights collectively highlight how each “quirk” – from a band of clerestory glass to a built-in planter – contributes to the enduring magic of Eichler homes.

For anyone exploring the world of Eichler architecture, working with true specialists is essential. Eric and Janelle Boyenga of the Boyenga Team at Compass have spent decades representing Eichler homeowners, mid-century buyers, and luxury sellers across Silicon Valley. Known as the leading Eichler Real Estate Experts, they bring unmatched architectural knowledge, pricing insight, and neighborhood familiarity to every transaction.

From identifying rare floor plans to helping clients restore period-correct features, Eric and Janelle approach each home with the passion of historians and the precision of Next-Gen Agents. Their modern marketing, deep architectural understanding, and commitment to client advocacy make them the go-to resource for anyone buying or selling an Eichler in today’s competitive market.