The X-100 "experimental research house" was built in 1956 as a promotional tool to help attract buyers to the San Mateo Highlands subdivision which was at the time a hard to reach location. The steel post and beam home was designed in 1955 by architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick E. Emmons for developer Joseph Eichler. The "experiment" was a huge success, with articles in major magazines and newspapers touting it as the "home of tomorrow", the home eventually attracted over 150,000 visitors to the Highlands development.
Kitchen cabinet doors could be turned inside-out to change the color scheme.
Centrally located fireplace that "revolves like a top to face any sitting area."
A 32' long Wascolite Skydome skylight extended from above the fireplace across the core of the home.
View towards master bedroom. Note curtains act as an optional "fourth wall."
The exposed steel ceilings were light grey, contrasting beautifully with the cinnamon beams and posts.
The entire 56' x 8' back wall was built from glass windows and sliding doors; bringing the outdoors in.
Dining table with built-in Thermador stove concealed under sliding table top. Huh?
MusiCall intercom radio control panel from the X-100 house. "Dinner's ready!". via
The X-100 was featured in the Feb. 1957 issue of "Living for Young Homemakers" (link to full article below).
Exterior street view of the X-100, c. 1956. Image via Life photo archives.
X-100 outdoor furniture was created by Van Keppel-Green. Image via Life photo archives.
The above floorplan and design description are from the X-100 grand opening brochure (see link below)
X-100 ground breaking, May 1956. L to R: A. Quincy Jones, Thomas Callan, Joe Eichler. Photo: Ernie Braun
X-100 commercial, 1956. "Everything so modern it takes your breath away and your money too!"
For email and RSS subscribers, if you don't see the video above click here.
X-100 House Key Information:
Design: Architects, Archibald Quincy Jones (1913-1979) and Frederick Earl Emmons (1907-1999)
Developer: Joseph Eichler (1900-1974)
Location: 1586 Lexington Avenue, The HIghlands, San Mateo, California
Built: Ground breaking May 1956; opened to public October 1956
Size: 2,310 square feet (64' deep x 56' wide), 3 bedroom, 2 bath
Points of Interest:
• Quote from grand opening brochure; "An exciting exploration into future living!... Eichler homes delve into the future with a new living form that serves as a research laboratory for testing new design concepts."
• The X-100 also acted as a product showcase; in the words of Ned Eichler (Joseph's son), "I thought we could get all those manufacturers who were hanging around our business trying to get us to use their products...a place to try out their advanced prototypes that weren't in production yet."
• A 1956 "Arts and Architecture" article stated, "One of the reason for Eichler building the home is because he thought organic building materials would be in short supply 'because we can't grow them fast enough.'"
• The home was purchased for $775,000 in 2003 by Adrienne Biendo, John Ang and Marty Arbunich who have sinced restored the X-100. It has been nominated for designation to the National Register of Historic Places.
Related Links:
Go to- Article about the X-100 titled "Tomorrow's Test Home" in the January 1957 issue of Popular Science
Go to- Eichler Network article about the home titled "Discover Eichler's San Mateo 'X-100' House of Steel"
Go to- World of Eichler Design site; a great Eichler resource with brochures for the X-100 and The Highlands
Go to- Article in the February 1957 issue of "Living for Young Homemakers" about the X-100
Images above are via; flickr, World of Eichler Design and Life Image Archives.
1 comment:
bon poste
Post a Comment