The Eames House, an architectural icon of the mid-20th century, is set to become more accessible to the masses through the Eames Pavilion System. This innovative venture, led by the Eames Office, offers a unique opportunity for anyone to build their own Eames-inspired residence, office, or other commercial space. The system draws on the principles and visual language of the iconic Eames House, while also incorporating elements from other Eames designs, such as the Entenza House and the unrealized home for filmmaker Billy Wilder.
The Eames Pavilion System features one- and two-story builds, with the one-story prefab pavilions available for purchase this fall. These pavilions are designed to be customizable, with options for exterior windows, color-blocked or geometric panels, and steel crossbars. The smallest build could be a meeting room within a large workspace, while the largest is more open-ended. The starting price for a one-story build is $2,800 per square meter, which would put an average-sized 2,000-square-foot home at $518,000.
The Eames Office has been working on this project for years, with the goal of translating the Eameses' scalable grid system and modularity into prefab architecture. This is a significant achievement, as the Eames House has long been seen as a singularity, and the idea of a prefabricated Eames house was once considered a unicorn. The Eames Office has struggled with finding partners that could handle shipping and logistics globally, local architects and engineers for foundations and permits, and being able to customize to taste or necessary building codes.
The Eames Pavilion System is a testament to the Eameses' vision of universalization and their interest in the multiplication aspect of their work. It allows for the extension of their legacy in a way that they had always intended, and it offers a unique opportunity for anyone to experience the magic of Eames architecture.
The Eames Office will present the new Eames Pavilion System at the Triennale di Milano, an exhibition dedicated to architecture, design, and craftsmanship. The exhibition will feature examples of the one- and two-story builds, as well as a trove of new research on both celebrated and previously unknown Eames designs. The Eames Pavilion System is a significant step forward in making Eames architecture more accessible to the public, and it is sure to generate excitement among architecture enthusiasts and those who appreciate the Eameses' unique style and vision.
