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Greenwood Common

None
Good
  • California Modernism
  • Identity of Building/Site
  • History of Building/Site
  • Evaluation

Greenwood Common

Site overview

Greenwood Common is a model residential grouping set on a spectacular site in the Berkeley Hills. It is an innovative plan for a suburban housing development, deviating from the typical American pattern of single houses on lots facing a street. Each house sits on a small lot, and automobile and pedestrian traffic are separated. A shared open space compensates for the small individual properties and creates a central lawn. Along with creative planning, the development incorporates a distinctive Modern landscape design characteristic of the San Francisco Bay Area by nationally-known landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. The site also contains eight Modern houses designed by some of the most influential architects of the Bay Area, who were significant practitioners by the Bay Area's distinctive regional adaptation of Modernism. Characteristic elements include economical materials and plans, flat or low-pitched roofs, simple volumes, wide overhanging eaves, wood siding, and a strong indoor/outdoor connection created with expanses of glass, patios, terraces and decks.

Primary classification

Residential (RES)

Secondary classification

Landscape (LND)

Terms of protection

Berkeley City Landmark

Designations

Berkley Landmark #125, designated on March 19, 1990

Author(s)

| | 2/1997
| | 6/1998

How to Visit

Private residential community

Location

1-10 Greenwood Common
Berkeley, CA, 94708

Country

US

Case Study House No. 21

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Designer(s)

Rudolph M. Schindler

Architect

Nationality

American

Don Olson

Robert Klemmedson

Joseph Esherick

Harwell Hamilton Harris

Howard Moise

John Funk

Henry Hill

Other designers

Rudolph Schindler, Don Olson, Robert Klemmedson, Joseph Esherick, Harwell Hamilton Harris, Howard Moise, John Funk, and Henry Hill, architectsLawrence Halprin, landscape architectWilliam Wurster, planner
Commission

1952

Completion

1955

Commission / Completion details

Commission 1952(c), completion 1952(c)-1955(e)

Current Use

Private residences.

Current Condition

Very good.

General Assessment

Greenwood Common is a model residential grouping set on a spectacular site in the Berkeley Hills. It is an innovative plan for a suburban housing development, deviating from the typical American pattern of single houses on lots facing a street. Here each house sits on a small lot and automobile and pedestrian traffic are separated. A shared open space compensates for the small individual properties and creates a central lawn. Along with creative planning, the development incorporates a distinctive Modern landscape design characteristic of the San Francisco Bay Area by nationally-known landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. The site also contains eight Modern houses designed by some of the most influential architects of the Bay Area, who were significant practitioners by the Bay Area√.s distinctive regional adaptation of Modernism. Characteristic elements include economical materials and plans, flat or low-pitched roofs, simple volumes, wide overhanging eaves, wood siding, and a strong indoor/outdoor connection created with expanses of glass, patios, terraces and decks.
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