Gamble House

The Gamble House, also known as the David B. Gamble House, is an iconic American Craftsman home in Pasadena, California, designed by the architectural firm Greene and Greene.

The influence of Japanese architecture and design on the work of American architects Charles and Henry Greene, best known for designing the iconic Gamble House in Pasadena, California. Despite never having visited Japan, the Greenes incorporated elements of Japanese design into their work, leaving a lasting impact on American architectural history.

The Gamble House, completed in 1908, is considered a masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts movement and is now a National Historic Landmark. Some of the Japanese-inspired features in the Gamble House include rafter tails that extend beyond the eaves and unique Japanese metal lanterns adorned with art glass.

While their designs reflect Japanese sensibilities, the Greenes' interpretation was based on what they saw as Japanese rather than an authentic replication of Japanese architecture. The lecture, featuring writer and scholar Bruce Smith, delves into the sources of the Greenes' inspiration and how they adapted Japanese elements to create their distinctive architectural style.

The lecture will also include a book signing with Bruce Smith, who has researched the Greenes for over 30 years, and a Japanese folk art sale featuring various art objects, ceramics, toys, textiles, and Kokeshi dolls. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Gamble House.

Despite never traveling to Japan, the Greenes found inspiration in their local environment, including visits to the Japanese Garden at The Huntington and exposure to Japanese import stores and books. Charles Greene's visit to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, with its Japanese exhibits, further influenced their architectural designs.

This event, titled 'Greene and Greene’s Vision of Japan,' provides a fascinating exploration of the intersection of American and Japanese design influences within the context of the Gamble House and the broader architectural landscape of Pasadena and Southern California.