We're over the moon about the interview featured today by the Eichler Network, where our founder Karin Jeske dives deep into Tesselle's journey in an article entitiled ‘Breeze Block’ Breakthrough Designer/entrepreneur Karin Jeske has the building blocks all set for SoCal’s Tesselle. Learn about our beginnings, our unique products, our manufacturing process, and the ins and outs of our supply chain. Huge thanks to Adriane Biondo for spotlighting us to her dedicated audience of California architect Joseph Eichler enthusiasts! Click here to see our Breeze Block collection.
Joseph Leopold Eichler, born on June 25, 1900, in New York City, became a prominent figure in 20th-century American real estate development, particularly renowned for his distinct Mid-century modern style tract housing in California. His advocacy for bringing modern architecture to the general public set him apart in the industry. Eichler's upbringing in New York, where his parents ran a small toy store, and his later move to the San Francisco Bay Area influenced his career trajectory. His interest in residential development sparked after living in a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Hillsborough, California, in 1943, inspiring him to become a residential real estate developer.
Between 1949 and 1966, Eichler Homes, led by Joseph Eichler, constructed over 11,000 homes across Northern and Southern California, making him one of the most influential builders of modern homes in the nation. Eichler aimed to create inclusive planned communities, promoting diversity and social integration, a vision he actively pursued by establishing non-discrimination policies. His homes, characterized by open floor plans, post-and-beam construction, and floor-to-ceiling windows, embraced indoor-outdoor living, a hallmark of California Modernism. Although initially met with resistance from potential buyers seeking convention over innovation, Eichler's designs ultimately reshaped the landscape of middle-class housing in postwar America.