Eames House

Conservation Management Plan

Getty Conservation Institute and The Eames Foundation

Los Angeles County, USA

Eames House is one of a series of Case Study houses by eminent architects erected throughout Los Angeles designed to champion modern domestic architecture.

GML Heritage were commissioned to co-author a Conservation Management Plan for the Eames House, a National Historic Landmark, in Los Angeles, USA.

The Eames House was designed and constructed by Charles and Ray Eames (completed 1949). Today it is renowned internationally as a landmark of mid-century modern design. The husband and wife team custom designed both the residence and studio—incorporating open courtyards and a covered patio—to reflect and support the interconnectedness of these activities in their lives. The house compliments the landscape, and the interiors are purposefully considered with furnishings and collections to delight and welcome guests.

The Eames Foundation, with Lucia Dewey-Atwood, the granddaughter of Ray and Charles, continue to care for and manage the house and its landscape setting.

GML’s involvement with the site began in 2014 when a grant from The Getty Foundation under its ‘Keeping it Modern’ programme, supported the development of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP). As part of this process, GML worked with the Getty Conservation Institute and the Eames Foundation, to develop management principles and practical guidelines based on the internationally recognised Australian CMP model. The Conservation Management Plan was launched in April 2019, and was awarded the California Preservation Design Award for Cultural Resource Studies in October 2019.