Harry Jang, AIA, Residence (1963)

I was finally able to see this residence after admiring it from the street over the last ten years during walks with my family and dog. It's a fantastic home and is now for sale. It's located on a gentle hill in South Land Park Terrace.

I once shared a van ride to the airport with Mr. Jang's widow - she noticed my home was close to her old home and we both requested we take a little detour and drive past it. She wistfully said "My husband designed this home" as we admired it from the outside.

Built in 1963, this home takes full advantage of the hillside upon which it is built. The lower part of the home has an amazing cinder block carport, a backyard, and a separate in-law quarter (which I would use as a game room).

Inside, there are tons of original details (cabinetry hardware, hanging glass pendants, wood paneling, and built-ins) that have remained. These are exactly the sort of thing that I look for when I purchase an MCM home. I prefer original, untouched homes; when "updates" occur, these details are lost.

Harry Jang was a Sacramento architect born in nearby Courtland. He received a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley in 1949 and became an architect in 1956. Per his obituary in the Sacramento Bee,

"One of 12 children of Louise Jo and Choy Jang, he was a 1939 graduate of Courtland High School who attended Sacramento Junior College before being drafted into the Army on the eve of World War II.

He switched to the Army Air Forces, was trained as a navigator, became a first lieutenant and was assigned to the 306th Bomb Group. As a crew member on B-17s, he survived 35 combat missions over Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He worked as an architect for the state Department of Rehabilitation."

I would buy this home in a heartbeat if I didn't already have two local MCM homes already! Someone is going to get an awesome home. Please, oh please: don't let it be a flipper who messes it up!

For more information and pix, please see this detail report and the MLS listing.

A nice surprise

I found a really nice handmade card on my doorstep this week from the Short Center South! The Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour donated a $3,000 from this year's tour.

The Short Center South is a South Land Park neighbor and a wonderful day program that serves adults with developmental disabilities. The Center offers classes in a studio setting, taught by artists working in their own disciplines. Classes include drawing, painting, ceramics, mosaics, photography, music, dance, theatre, textiles, crafts, sign language, reading, computers, physical education/exercise and classes that further social skills and personal growth.

My kids holding the card to show how big it is!

If you haven't visited their studios and seen their artwork, check them out. You probably have already seen their work around town; they recently completed a public mural that is displayed on Franklin Boulevard. For more information about their work, see their website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour is proud to support our neighbors at the Short Center South -- many thanks to all of you who participated and contributed!

Open House Today: South Land Park Hills Eichler Home For Sale

 6457 S Land Park Dr.

Those of you looking for a MCM home in Sacramento will want to check out this 1908 square foot, 3 bedroom/2 bath Jones + Emmons Eichler Home today (8.15.10) from 1pm to 4pm.

This home has a bonus room and swimming pool. It is in the vicinity of two Eichler Homes that were in the 2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour.

More from Redfin about this home here. This information was given to me because I am known for passing this sort of information along as a public service to those who are interested and love MCM design and architecture as much as I do. Be sure to check this one out -- Eichler Homes in our neighborhood have been selling quickly!

More posts to come in the near future -- I've been taking a break after the tour and have my two kids at home these days :)