Yes, please, someone answer this - we want to know also! We have an Eichler-like house in No. California.

If no one here knows, you can try emailing the fine people over at http://retrorenovation.com/ they know all about things from that era!

It looks like 4 X 8 blocks in a stacked bond.

I found this comment on another website talking about an Eichler home:

"This front yard of a mid-20th-century Eichler Home uses ground-face concrete blocks to give texture to the walls, which layer themselves and increase in height as one moves closer to the house, like a means of transition from public to private. This example uses stacked bonding, unlike the more typical running bond. Since the stacked bond does not gain structural strength from interlocking blocks, these walls — not retaining walls, but site features — most likely have some vertical reinforcing in their cavities and also horizontally between the rows of blocks".

However to me, some of your examples above look like poured concrete with a pattern tooled into the concrete (especially the fireplace).

If you're looking for the exact blocks, they may not make them anymore (I could be wrong though). Not too helpful, sorry!

I found this document as well, which recommends using "Exposed Concrete Block".

It's quite a neat little architectural controls document.

http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Portals/0/Sunnyvale/CDD/Residential/Additions/EichlerDGADOPTEDlowresolution.pdf

Have you tried posting this question at the Eichler Network website forum? The folks there seem to really know their stuff. Plus, it's just a great site to gaze at the pics and daydream!

Looks like half-high concrete block. As you might guess, this is a block that is 4" high instead of the regular 8". It might be a 4x12 concrete brick instead though - similar, but solid instead of with holes through the middle.

Those photos are not of ground-faced block, though that may be an attractive option for you (looks a little like terazzo).

Call your local masonry supplier (look under "brick" in the yellow pages) and tell them what you want, and they will most likely be able to get you some.

This looks suspiciously like my fireplace, on AT right here. I'm no longer going to tear it out, and if anyone wants, I can give you detailed dimensions.

looks like a standard nominal 4" CMU in stacked bond with raked joints

I have an Eichler and have used these for planters ect. You can buy them at any distributor of concrete blocks - there exists two sizes - 6 inches deep x 16 inches long and 4 inches high or 4 inches deep x 16 inches long and 4 inches high. To get the look - you want to specify a stacked bond as opposed to a staggered pattern bond. Every bricklayer will try to talk you out of the stacked bond because they have to add rebar. email me at michel_graff@hotmail if you have any questions.

Sorry - forgot to add - the cavities have to be completed filled with concrete. The joints have to be scraped - they have a special tool to do this. Check out this link - you will find my water fountain with the bricks. http://www.eichlernetwork.com/article/modern-water-features

I think the cement blocks that have decorative, geometric patterned insides are often this dimension and might be easier to find.

Thanks for your help, everybody! We'll use the info and thoughts you've provided and hopefully we can find what we're looking for! Michael Graff, don't be surprised if you get an email from us in the next few months :)

-Seth & Desiree, www.zelophotoblog.com/91204

Seth and Desiree - once you send me an email - I will send you a series of photos on how I have used these bricks in my Eichler. michel_graff@hotmail.com