The Gamble House

The Gamble House in Pasadena, California, is an outstanding example of American Craftsman architecture, built between 1908 and 1909 by the renowned architecture firm Greene and Greene. Originally designed as a winter residence for David B. Gamble, son of the Procter & Gamble co-founder, the property now serves as a National Historic Landmark and is regularly open for public tours. Unlike many of the architects' other works, which were often altered or stripped of their original furnishings, the Gamble House is remarkably well preserved. It still holds all of its original furniture and built-in fixtures, designed specifically for this house, which makes it a unique witness to the early 20th century.

The home's architectural style blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with the spatial openness of California. The facade is organically woven into the landscape, with natural materials such as granite, brick, and climbing plants softening the transition between building and nature. Inside, a variety of woods such as teak, oak, and mahogany dominate, their surfaces deliberately rounded to create a soft feel to the touch. One recurring design motif is the grouping of three, found in the arrangement of windows, doors, and decorations. Large art glass windows make the rooms bright and open, and the living area was designed without doors to create the greatest possible sense of space. The grounds, with their terraces, gardens, and a pond, are also an integral part of the overall concept and invite you to linger.

Historically, the Greene brothers' style fell out of favor in the 1930s and '40s before being rediscovered after World War II through publications such as House Beautiful. The house also gained worldwide fame as a filming location in the Back to the Future film series. Today the property is managed by the Gamble House Conservancy, which works with the City of Pasadena and the University of Southern California to preserve the landmark. Two selected students live in the house each year, giving the building a lively character and maintaining its connection to the academic world.