The Ultimate American Bungalow Was Built by a Soap Fortune Using Ancient Japanese Woodworking Techniques

The Gamble House

Built in 1908 for the Gamble family of Procter & Gamble fame, this Arts and Crafts mansion became one of America’s most perfect examples of the style. Every beam, tile, and window was crafted by hand with stunning detail.

Here’s how two brothers created what many call the crown jewel of American home design.

The Gamble House, California

David Gamble commissioned architects Charles and Henry Greene to build his winter home in 1907. The son of Procter & Gamble’s co-founder wanted to escape Cincinnati’s harsh climate.

Construction on the 8,100 square-foot residence began in March 1908. Workers completed the structure by December that same year, though furnishings took until 1910.

The house sits on a knoll overlooking Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco. Its Craftsman style pushed back against mass production of the Industrial Revolution.

The City of Pasadena now owns this National Historic Landmark. Its preservation continues through a partnership with the University of Southern California.

When Procter & Gamble Met Greene & Greene

David Gamble first visited Pasadena looking for winter sunshine. Many wealthy Midwesterners made similar trips in the early 1900s.

By 1907, Greene & Greene had built several “ultimate bungalows” in the neighborhood. These large Craftsman homes impressed Gamble with their outstanding woodwork.

The Gambles hired the firm in May 1907. They gave the architects unusual freedom to create without many restrictions.

Construction began in March 1908. Though the family moved in by December, custom furniture continued arriving until 1910.

Master Craftsmen Behind The Masterpiece

Peter and John Hall emigrated from Sweden in the late 1800s. They settled in Pasadena after working in Washington and Oregon as skilled woodworkers.

Peter Hall took charge as general contractor for the Gamble House project. His brother John crafted the furniture and intricate cabinetry throughout the residence.

Charles and Henry Greene studied at the Manual Training School in St. Louis during their teens. They divided their days between academic subjects and hands-on crafts like woodworking.

The team included about ten local craftsmen who worked for two years. Charles Greene sometimes carved wood elements himself when seeking particular artistic effects.

Japanese Influence On American Design

Charles and Henry Greene first saw Japanese architecture at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The encounter left a lasting impression on both brothers.

Charles visited the Japanese exhibit at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. This experience transformed his design approach for future projects.

The Gamble House front door features stained glass with a Japanese black pine motif. This immediately signals the Asian influence that continues throughout the interior.

Sixteen wood carvings line the living room frieze, resembling “ramma” panels from traditional Japanese homes. These decorative elements filter light while adding visual interest.

Low-slung roofs extend with pagoda-like flaring eaves around the exterior. Every stone on the property comes with rounded edges, reflecting Japanese aesthetic preferences.

The Art Of Wood In Twelve Varieties

Honduras mahogany panels line the living room walls with their rich red tones. Burmese teak appears in darker, more formal areas of the first floor.

Floor patterns indicate room functions throughout the house. Chevron patterns mark formal spaces for entertaining guests, while horizontal boards designate private family areas.

The main staircase reveals its construction methods rather than hiding them. Exposed joinery shows how each piece connects to the next, celebrating craftsmanship rather than concealing it.

Light switch plates received the same attention as major furniture pieces. Each one came carved from the same fine woods used elsewhere in the house.

The Greenes selected maple, oak, Douglas fir, Port Orford cedar, and redwood for specific locations. Each wood type contributed particular color, grain patterns, and structural properties to the design.

Signature Design Elements Inside And Out

The “cloud lift” motif appears in furniture, doors, windows, and light fixtures. This subtle upward curve in horizontal elements came from Chinese furniture designs.

Living room walls feature sixteen carvings at the frieze level. Each carving contains nature motifs that connect the interior decoration to the surrounding landscape.

Dining room walls received canvas varnished into wet plaster during construction. This unusual technique creates a velvety glow when light hits the surface.

Furniture pieces contain semi-precious stone and abalone shell inlays. These materials add subtle sparkle and color to wooden surfaces throughout the house.

The Greenes often grouped three architectural elements together in their designs. This “theme of three” creates visual rhythm and balance throughout the residence.

A House Designed For California Living

Ceiling heights shift subtly as you move through the Gamble House. First floor rooms reach 8’10” tall, second floor spaces 8’8″, and the den extends to 9’10”.

The main terrace behind the house contains a curvilinear pond surrounded by gardens. Distinctive clinker bricks and boulders form walls that blend with the natural setting.

Three second-floor bedrooms open onto sleeping porches with screens instead of glass. Family members often slept outdoors during warm months, following health recommendations popular in that era.

Deep roof overhangs protect the house from direct sunlight while allowing natural light inside. This design responds directly to the California climate.

The dining room offers views on three sides to surrounding gardens. This arrangement literally brings “nature to the indoors” through carefully placed windows.

How The House Nearly Met A Tragic End

David Gamble lived in the house until his death in 1923. Mary Gamble continued using it as a winter residence until she passed away in 1929.

Mary’s sister Julia occupied the house alone for fourteen more years. She maintained the property until her death in 1943 during World War II.

Cecil Huggins Gamble and his wife Louise moved into the family home in 1946. The Craftsman style had fallen completely out of fashion by this time.

Architectural critics ignored Greene & Greene’s work throughout the 1930s and 40s. This led the Gambles to consider selling the property to new owners.

The family stopped the sale when prospective buyers planned to paint all interior woodwork white. They suddenly recognized the artistic importance of preserving the original finishes.

From Private Home To Public Treasure

The Gamble family donated the house to Pasadena and USC in 1966. Their agreement specified that the university’s School of Architecture would operate the property.

Two architecture students live in the house each year through a competitive selection process. This arrangement provides hands-on education while ensuring constant oversight.

The federal government designated the Gamble House a National Historic Landmark in 1977. This status recognized its national significance in American architectural history.

The J. Paul Getty Trust funded a comprehensive Historic Structure Report for the property.

This document guides all preservation work to maintain authentic materials and methods. The Gamble House Conservancy now handles daily operations and educational programs. They maintain the property as both a museum and teaching resource.

Recognition After Years Of Obscurity

Greene & Greene designs fell from popularity after World War I. Their handcrafted approach seemed outdated compared to new modernist trends.

Elizabeth Gordon, editor of House Beautiful magazine, championed their work after World War II. Her articles reintroduced these architectural treasures to a new generation.

The American Institute of Architects finally recognized the Greene brothers nationally in 1952. They praised the duo for creating a “new and native architecture” uniquely suited to America.

Architecture historian Esther McCoy included them in her influential 1960 book “Five California Architects.” The chapter on the Greenes came written by scholar Randell L. Makinson.

A Los Angeles Times survey in 2008 ranked the Gamble House among the top ten houses in Los Angeles. This confirmed its lasting impact on American architecture.

Hollywood Connections At 1640 Riverside Drive

Movie fans recognize the Gamble House exterior as Doc Brown’s mansion from “Back to the Future.” The 1985 film used the house as the fictional 1640 Riverside Drive address in Hill Valley.

“Back to the Future III” featured the house more prominently in 1990. This exposure brought new waves of visitors interested in both architecture and movie landmarks.

The garage that appeared in these films now serves as the Gamble House bookstore. Visitors can purchase books about Arts and Crafts architecture and Greene & Greene designs.

Television audiences saw the house in 1987 on “This Old House” with host Bob Vila. The episode introduced preservation issues facing historic wooden structures.

Film appearances helped the Gamble House reach audiences beyond architecture enthusiasts. Many first-time visitors arrive because of movie connections rather than architectural interest.

Visiting The Gamble House

The Gamble House sits at 4 Westmoreland Place in Pasadena, California. Tours operate Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday each week.

Standard one-hour guided tours cost $15 per adult. Children under 12 enter free with an adult. Advance reservations through the website prevent disappointment.

Free parking spaces line Westmoreland Place directly in front of the house. Additional parking exists on Orange Grove Boulevard and West Walnut Street.

Photography remains prohibited inside the house but allowed on the exterior and grounds. The bookstore opens Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Special tours include the 2.5-hour “Behind the Velvet Ropes” flashlight tour and focused art glass tours. Check the official website at gamblehouse.org for current schedules and events.

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