Eichler-like house plans (designs, contemporary, good, cheap)

[earthlyfather]

Anyone know where I can find, and possibly buy mid-century modern house plans? These could be 'originals', or more recent, but retro designs. To build with, btw.

[Jukesgrrl]

As you might know if you are into MCM design, Phoenix, AZ, is home to one of the most vast collections of MCM homes, especially mid-priced ranch houses, in the entire U.S. And, of course, Taliesin West is in Scottsdale. An excellent organization called Modern Phoenix is dedicated to acting as a hub for the people who own MCM houses. They advocate restoration, preservation, and appreciation of everything MCM.

While Eichler worked mostly in California, he had several contemporaries in Phoenix who were doing similar work (e.g. Ralph Haver and Al Beadle). The Modern Phoenix website has a links page that is useful for anyone interested in MCM design. It also has blogs and forums where you can ask questions and discuss MCM topics. Perhaps some of those people could lead you to sources that would be helpful to you. The page on "Architects" is also an encyclopedic resource, including contemporary people working in the MCM style.

Modern Phoenix: The Neighborhood Network

[jerseyj]

Originally Posted by earthlyfather

Anyone know where I can find, and possibly buy mid-century modern house plans? These could be 'originals', or more recent, but retro designs. To build with, btw.

Eichler was a real estate developer who was inspired by FLW designs. He used Architects, who were of the same ilk, to design the homes he built.

I would look at sites like this to find a plan that might work for you-

Exclusive House Plans from Joseph Eichler

Good luck with your house plan search!

[K'ledgeBldr]

Take the plans with a grain of salt.
IOW, use the plans as a design basis. If you were to dig into the "nuts and bolts" of the plans, you'd see just how cheap these homes were. Especially when it came to insulating properties.

Don't take me wrong- the "concept" of the designs are very appealing, even to me. But to build a "modern version" of those plans would require a lot more forethought.
Joe was a "salesman" first and foremost!
Getting the biggest bang for the buck required the right architects and suppliers; along with a great marketing strategy that would appeal to the masses- the working middle class.