We found some plans of work done on the house over the years by the previous owners. They took great effort to maintain the original Eichler style and essence.
Here is an example from 1962 when the garage was transformed into a rumpus room:
Front elevation before renovation:
Front elevation after renovation:
The garage was moved to the left of the original, which increased the square footage of the home from 1582 sq. ft. to over 2000 sq. ft. Because the renovation was completed in 1962 with similar building materials from that era (including Arcadia sliding glass doors), the renovation seems to suit our Eichler quite well.
I personally find the remodel innovative, pleasing and useful. Buildings do change over time according to the needs of their occupants. For more on this concept, read "
How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built" by Stewart Brand.
This 1962 renovation was designed by Grant D. Caywood, a respected Sacramento architect. Per his recent obituary this August in the Sacramento Bee:
"In 1953, Mr. Caywood opened a Sacramento architectural firm that grew to five partners. He worked on many residential and public projects, including California State University, Sacramento; the Sacramento Zoo, and Sacramento International Airport. He retired in 1986 and was an emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects." http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1188432.html
Mr. Caywood also built his personal (and lovely)
mid-century home in the same neighborhood as ours.
