We got a tip off from Boyd about a new mag (or at least new to us) called Atomic Ranch.
Based out of Pasadena, the quarterly magazine is devoted to 40s-70's ranch homes and modernist track houses. It's hard to see past the kitsch factor in these post war homes that have come to represent all that is the American middle class mentality. However there is something wonderful about affordable style, and it looks like this magazine is devoted to just that.
Kitsch factor? Explain yourself as I completely disagree with you here. When these tract homes were new, they were viable low-cost, stylish options priced for the entry-level (read: returning from WWII) buyer. Many of them like the Eichler pictured on the cover blurred the delineation between indoor and outdoor spaces. And many of the contemporary pre-fab homes you've highlighted on the site (including the Marmol Radziner one you posted last week) are based on the design principles first introduced in these types of homes. So, again... Kitsch? Whutchutalkinbout, Willis?
The look on the cover is really being used in manufactured housing these days. It's all kind of back to the future isn't it?
Not to say I'm not dreaming of one right now...
More info on architechturally significant post-war tract communities (mostly info on the Eichler tract in Granada Hills and the Gregory Ain tract in Mar Vista). http://www.lottaliving.com/balboahighlands/re_a_owners_seek_preservation.shtml
PS In the Westlake neighborhood of Daly City (just south of San Francisco), there's an amazing tract of 2-story houses constructed in the mid-'50s that look like they were designed by Tim Burton. Really quirky, but quite amazing to see.
Kellyo, are you there? Do you remember the name of the architect or developer?
Henry Doelger developed the Westlake neighborhood. Link is a typical Doelger home.
http://www.dalycityhistory.org/westlake/gallery/westlakegallery6.html
Eichler also did a series of tract homes here in the city of Orange- Poplife featured one of them in their issue #2, with the Antfarm on the cover- there's a whole blossoming community within that several block stretch, with lots of local surf/skate/design scene hipsters snatching them up and renovating- fun to do drive-bys...
More on Westlake/Doelger architect Ed Hageman. Makes for interesting reading if you like this type of architecture. (These Dolger homes have gained cult-status among the design-savvy Mid-C afficianados in Northern California; and have made Daly City seem cool again...)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/07/16/HOGKBDND221.DTL
Another Los Angeles mid century architect was Gregory Ain.
He was the architect who developed the 1950's tract homes located in Mar Vista near Palms and Beethoven.
I had a friend who was used to lease one of the homes and the walls moved, the kichen was totally open to the living room, and there was a lap pool.
I went to the retrospective a year ago and they featured tours of the homes, viewings of the original posters/advertising and blueprints.
http://marvistatract.org/history.html
http://www.modernsandiego.com/AINDISCOVERED.html
Tours will be given in June of this year.
http://marvistatract.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=63&
The Mar Vista tract is awesome! I went on a tour organized by the L.A. Conservancy's Modern Committee a few years back.
Oy, Enrique, dont blow a gasket! I should have written that it is hard to see past the kitsch in SOME of the these post war homes
You are totally right. I did use the word kitsch too freely, but in my defense, when you click on the link, there is a photo with mod flower-power decals on the wall and another with Fiestaware pitchers set against some pretty tacky yellow-check wallpaper.
However, you are right that (many of) these homes are representative of super chic living possibilities, and again, I have not seen the magazine, I only heard about it and thought it worthy of a post.
Please give me another chance ;-)
- Stupid Alec.
Damn... and here I was getting ready to go toe-to-toe with you 'cause I loves me a good debate! Let's don't break up. :D
I like the IDEA of Atomic Ranchand many of their photos are quite inspiringbut unfortunately I find the design and layout of the magazine incredibly grating. They need some help in that department.
i wholeheartedly agree with that statement. i looked through an issue a few months ago, and it seemed like the editorial content consisted of "hey, check out this dude's house in palm springs." elle decor it is not.
I agree with An and Sparky and was thinking the same thing as I viewed the website.
Cool idea...not so great layout and overall design.
i've been subscribing to the magazine for a year now. it is little more than a glossy fanzine. the publisher/editor is not a journalist or an architect, but an enthusiast. while the design and content can be a little annoying, it does a good job of introducing different mid-century developments around the county and canada. and while i don't understand the fascination with tiki style that many of the subjects of articles have, it's not a bad mag, and it's heart is definately in the right place.
Agree with you, David. I'm personally not a fan of Tiki, "googie", Atomic or any of the other period-correct design cues (though I did love and collect it when I was in my 20s); but the residential architecture featured is tops on my list. And the magazine's heart IS in the right place, primarily because of its preservationist slant. I'm glad a magazine like this exists. No, it ain't Elle Decor. And thank goodness for that. There are enough publications that cater to and perpetuate design homogeny. Atomic Ranch is successful in super-serving its niche audience; and educating those outside the niche. If magazines like Elle Decor can be characterized as the pretty, popular cheerleader in high school, then Atomic Ranch is like the "Enid" character from Ghost World. You may not "get" her, but you're kind of glad she's around to stir shit up.
I am enjoying the magazine - however, I wish there was a bit devoted to making over a ranch to fit both modern and historic styles. For example, I'm a member of a houseblogging site, and I've noticed there are only about 5 houseblogs for ranches (houseblogs.net) but about 100 for bungalows. I wish there was more out there that would create enthusiasm for remodeling ranches (either old period-appropriate or new). It seems to be the most lived in style in the U.S. yet little is written about them...I say kudos to Atomic Ranch for doing something about it.
In response to an earlier post, I think the houses in the Westlake section of Daly City are extremely cool and even a bit surreal. Tim Burton is a good way of putting it. I'm publishing a book about them which is due out this summer. For more info on Westlake, architect Ed Hageman, and the book, visit you may visit my website:
www.littleboxes.org