Arts Crafts architecture of Greene Greene including The Gamble House

The arts and crafts movement was a reaction to the over-industrialization of society. The arts and crafts movement in California recognized a closer connection with nature. Pasadena was a locus for its own particular expression of the arts and crafts movement and that's largely thanks to the presence of two brilliant architects Charles and Henry Green from about 1893 on. The movement was an approach to design and craft that incorporated a high level of handwork and I can't think of a place where it's better expressed than here at the Gamble House. The Gamble House is one of the most important pieces of residential architecture in our country and probably internationally. It's a celebration of American craft and decorative arts. It's a timeless piece of arts and crafts architecture. California the setting had a big influence on Charles and Henry Green. They were influenced by the environment, by the lifestyle, the climate, and they were searching for their own architecture that they considered to be a California architecture. The Gamble House was seen as a radical statement on the land when it was built in 1908 and when the Gambles occupied it they knew they were moving into a work of art. I came here as a child for Sunday lunch. It was sort of a command performance that we'd be here. We were allowed after our lunch to put our play clothes on and roam around wherever we wanted to go in the house. I think the dining room was my favorite because of the family together. This was a home and we like to think of it still as a home. I lived here in the house while I was studying architecture at USC. I was so fortunate to be able to experience as a home as the Gambles did. I was able to experience this building as the Greens designed it to be experienced. The Greens were exploring how to bring good design to the daily lives of the people who interact with it, whether it be architecture, decorative arts, textiles, furnishings. For the Greens, no detail was too small to be considered and done well.