Gamble House (Pasadena, California)
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| Gamble House (Pasadena, California) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gamble House |
| Caption | The Gamble House, a National Historic Landmark |
| Location | 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 34, 9, 2, N... |
| Built | 1908–1909 |
| Architect | Greene and Greene |
| Architecture | American Craftsman |
| Designated nrhp type | December 22, 1977 |
| Added to nrhp | December 22, 1977 |
| Refnum | 71000155 |
| Governing body | University of Southern California |
Gamble House (Pasadena, California) is a premier masterpiece of the American Craftsman style of architecture, designed by the architectural firm Greene and Greene for David B. Gamble of the Procter & Gamble company. Completed in 1909, the residence is celebrated for its exquisite integration of structure, interior craftsmanship, and landscape, representing the zenith of the Arts and Crafts movement in the United States. Now owned by the University of Southern California and operated in partnership with the City of Pasadena, it is preserved as a public museum and a National Historic Landmark.
History
The house was commissioned by David B. Gamble and his wife, Mary Huggins Gamble, who sought a winter residence in the mild climate of Southern California. They selected the prominent Pasadena firm of brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, who were then developing their signature style. Construction took place between 1908 and 1909 on a plot in the Arroyo Seco area, a region favored by wealthy Easterners and Midwesterners. The Gamble family used the home seasonally until the death of Mary Huggins Gamble in 1929, after which it passed through heirs. In 1966, the family deeded the property to the City of Pasadena in a joint agreement with the University of Southern California, ensuring its preservation against potential demolition during a period of significant redevelopment in the region.
Architecture and design
The design is a consummate example of the ultimate or "ultimate bungalow" phase of Greene and Greene, characterized by a holistic, handcrafted approach. The structure employs a post-and-beam timber frame of redwood and teak, with extensive use of clinker brick, and features a prominent, sheltering Japanese-inspired roof with wide, overhanging eaves. The interior is famed for its custom-designed elements, including intricate leaded art glass windows, meticulously crafted furniture built by the Peter Hall Manufacturing Company, and elaborate woodwork in woods like mahogany, maple, and Port Orford cedar. The layout seamlessly connects interior spaces to the surrounding gardens and terraces, emphasizing a harmony with nature central to the Arts and Crafts movement philosophy.
Significance and legacy
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, the Gamble House is considered one of the most important and intact examples of American Craftsman architecture in the world. It profoundly influenced the development of residential architecture in California and remains a pivotal study site for architects and historians. The stewardship by the University of Southern California School of Architecture ensures its ongoing conservation and academic use. It is also a key anchor of the Prospect Boulevard historic district and contributes to Pasadena's identity as a center for architectural tourism, drawing parallels with other significant landmarks like the Hollyhock House by Frank Lloyd Wright.
In popular culture
The Gamble House's distinctive appearance has made it a recognizable location in film and television. It served as the fictional home of Doc Brown in the iconic 1985 film Back to the Future and its sequels. Its interiors and exteriors have also been featured in various other media, cementing its status as an icon of early 20th-century American architecture within the public imagination. The house frequently appears in documentaries and series focusing on architectural history, such as those aired on PBS.