A rare exhibit of drawings by Jeffrey Crussell illustrates the architecture of developer Joseph Eichler’s early 1960’s mid-century modern homes built in Orange, California. The exhibit will be displayed at Crussel Fine Arts, in Orange.

Eichler himself was not in fact an architect, but a developer. He would hire architects to pursue his vision. There are 330 Eichler homes in Orange County today. Purchasing a Eichler home is a very discreet process, there is rarely a ‘for sale’ sign, and almost everything is done through word of mouth and connections. The prices of the homes do fluctuate within the market, the most expensive shy of a million. However for a true Eichler fan purchasing one of his homes often takes great effort to renovate and restore the house to its original condition, in which Eichler had intended.

The home is designed to embrace nature, the windows facing the gardens and often leading to the atrium, a key element in Eichler homes. The atrium reminiscent of an open courtyard, is a repeated motif in architectural history. In more traditionally kept Eichler homes there are often no shades or curtains upon the windows, enabling further visibility with ones surroundings, the weather always evident, birds often about, the garden in bloom. The western side of the home receives a great deal of sun, and cools down as the hours progress. According to Crussell, the homes are a special type of environment to live in, everyone treats them differently, bringing their own persona with Eichler’s vision.

Crussell’s use of the square as the shape for his illustration exemplifies various perspectives, as though each square is part of a larger picture, almost as though an architectural plan made of grids. Crussell claims to have chosen the shape for its purity enabling him to balance shadow, and play with the horizon amongst the illustrations. The drawings are each at different levels of completion. Some more precise in detail while others are more sketched out with rougher lines. Crussel’s approach was if the drawing looked finished, it would be finished at that point, there was never a precise standard of completion.

This is Crussel’s first show that is self serving, he claimed it as a “fun project”. Many of his works have already sold, to preview the collection online visit (http://www.crussellfinearts.com/page_eichler_04.html)

I am always fascinated by how much I can learn by merely speaking to others, particularly in the arts. Jeffery Crussell is an ideal example of one such individual.  Crussell’s initial career was in architecture, he began working with other architects such as Frank Gehry, until he created his own architectural firm in 1984, Crussell and Associates. Crussell continues to create architectural plans and visions today, however he has also expanded his company to grow with the demands of society, establishing a specific sector of to Energy Efficiency Optimization, advising others for more energy efficient and green living solutions.  Crussel claimed that here in Southern California we don’t think about energy efficiency, because the weather is often so nice, however energy efficiency is vital and important to our future. Crussell and fellow UCLA colleagues have also established the Joshua Tree Project, a unique concept in which they use the CUBE or RHU (relief housing unit) designed to be both cost efficient and have a non-invasive impact on our environment. The CUBE can conveniently be built and assembled by two people.

There will be a panel discussion on Joseph Eichler Saturday, March 20^th at 6:30pm with Eichler owner, artist and realtor Mike Sasso, Eichler owner and president of affordable housing access Jon Webb, and historian and author Alan Hess, who will also be available for a book signing after. The show will close with a closing party March 21^st from 4-8pm. For more information on attending visit http://www.crussellfinearts.com/page_eichler_01.html.