The Gamble House: An Architectural Case Study

Charles and Henry Greene’s Gamble House Employs Architecture as Fine Art

The Gamble House, designed by Charles and Henry Greene, is regarded as one of the finest examples of Craftsman architecture in the United States, employing architecture as fine art. Over one century later, our country is experiencing a revitalization of the Craftsman movement. We find a renewed interest in handcrafted details, warm colors, and nature-inspired elements in the Craft Revival style trending for 2022. So, it only seems appropriate to go back and analyze one of the most popular homes constructed in the style. In our Gamble House architectural case study, our team of Austin architects reviews the history of the home, the influences of the Greene brothers, as well as the materials and design elements used in construction.

History of The Gamble House

The Gamble House was built in 1908 by the Greene and Greene architecture firm for David B. Gamble, son of the Procter & Gamble Founder James Gamble, in Pasadena, California. Today it is considered to be an iconic example of American Craftsman architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. In 2008, a Los Angeles Times survey included the home in a list of all-time top 10 houses in Los Angeles.

When the home was initially built, it did not receive any acclaim and was actually the target of harsh criticism among fellow architects, critics, and neighbors. It wasn’t until after World War II that the project was rediscovered and praised by a group of architects who were embracing American design and rejecting European influence. Alongside Frank Lloyd Wright, the Greene brothers' architecture regained newfound popularity in the 1940s and inspired the American-centric Modernist movement. While the home was constructed in the Craftsman style decades prior, the elements of indoor-outdoor connections, horizontal lines, and earthy color palette resonated with the era.

In 1966, the Gamble family decided to pass the home's legacy to the city of Pasadena and the University of Southern California School of Architecture. The house is now open for public tours and serves as the residence for two lucky 5th year USC architecture students every year.

In 1985, the home gained worldwide notoriety as Emmett "Doc" Brown’s house in Back to the Future. While the Greene brother’s design wasn’t initially popular, it is now cemented as a cultural icon. It just shows that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.

About the Greene and Greene Architects

Brothers Charles Sumner Greene (1868 - 1957) and Henry Mather Greene (1870 - 1954) established the Greene and Greene architecture firm in 1894 and were in operation until 1922. They are most noted for their larger-scale “ultimate” bungalow homes in California constructed in the American Craftsman style. The Gamble House is one of their most popular works.

The brothers studied metal and woodworking at the Manual Training School of Washington University in St. Louis and graduated in 1888. In 1893, their parents moved to Pasadena, California, and asked their sons to relocate. Their father was a physician studying the effects of sunlight and fresh air on health, which would influence the indoor-outdoor connections of their designs. While traveling to California, the Greene brothers stopped at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where they saw an exhibit on Japanese architecture. This experience would also significantly impact the architects’ signature works.

The Greene brothers received little acclaim for their work during their active years. It wasn’t until 1948 (over two decades since they closed their architecture firm) that they received recognition from the Pasadena Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In 1952, they earned praise from the national AIA level for creating a “new and native architecture.” The two brothers died in the late 1950s.

The Gamble House: Materials and Design Elements

The Gamble House defined American Craftsman architecture. Here are the materials and design elements that comprise the style.

Materials Used in The Gamble House

Hand-carved Wood Details

Craftsman architecture features many hard-carved wood millwork details, including trims, columns, and decorative elements. The Gamble House uses teak, oak, maple, mahogany, and cedar to incorporate contrasting colors, grains, and textures. Wood details include custom built-ins, inlays, and an exposed interlocking joint staircase.

Stained Glass Accents

Stained glass accents are also common in Craftsman design. In the Gamble House, stained glass appears on accent windows above the fireplace, in the stairwell, and on the front door. Stained glass patterns are inspired by nature, depicting landscapes, flora, and fauna.

Earth Tone Colors

The Craftsman style uses a nature-inspired color palette featuring browns, olive greens, and rust oranges. Allowing the structure to blend in with the surroundings helps establish a sense of unity with the landscape and a relaxed feel.

Distinct Front Door

Today, people are embracing the Craftsman movement again because it feels welcoming and inviting. The welcoming feeling starts at the front door, and many Craftsman homes feature a distinct front door that makes a great first impression. The Gamble House door is three doors wide and includes transoms above each entrance. The entry is designed in a classic Craftsman form and features a Japanese-inspired stained glass tree that spans multiple panes.

Design Elements Used in The Gamble House

Craftsman Design

The Gamble House is often described as America’s Craftsman masterpiece, establishing the standard of Craftsman-style homes. While most Craftsman bungalows constructed at the time were small, the Greene brothers expanded on the traditional floor plan to create an “ultimate bungalow” that evokes a sense of grandeur while remaining grounded.

Japanese Influence

The Green brothers attend an exhibit on Japanese architecture while moving to California, and the influence is evident throughout their work. In The Gamble House, Japanese-inspired cherry blossom tree and cloud motifs can be seen on the front doors, windows, lighting, and more.

Organic Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright coined the term “organic architecture,” which was used to describe his designs which feature indoor-outdoor connections, low-pitched rooflines, horizontal orientations, banks of windows, and extended rafters. The Greene brothers employ many of these same elements in The Gamble House design. The home also features a double-story front porch design, capitalizing on the beautiful surrounding landscape.