I’ve always been interested in houses, floor plans, the relationship between structure and site, and architectural diversity. A native Californian, I grew up in a simple gable-roofed adobe with many doors opening to long porches, like a small town train depot. I think it gave me a fixation on circulation and fresh air: there are no dead-end rooms, every in has an out, and every space connects to the outside.
Dan Gregory
I received a Ph. D. in Architectural History from U. C. Berkeley and was Sunset magazine’s senior home editor before coming to Houseplans.com. My recent book about Cliff May (published by Rizzoli, 2008) tells the story of the influential designer who helped popularized the suburban ranch house.
I think of Houseplans.com as an expanding template for affordable quality in home design. Our Project Advisors, Design Department, and huge inventory of stock plans give you a head start in the complex process of creating a new home. With Eye on Design, Get Inspired, and Looking Around – not to mention our Customizer Tool, unique specially commissioned designs, and plan collections – we want to spark your architectural imagination so that your new home is the best it can be.
4 responses so far ↓
Susan's Snippets // April 2, 2009 at 8:05 am |
Hello, Dan Gregory. I am a fan of Cliff May’s. I sold my midwestern “California” ranch in 2006 to downsize to an 1899 two bedroom farmhouse. But, I still miss my long, sprawling ranch with porches, big overhangs, vaulted ceilings and uplighting….all from 1962. So, I am interested in your book that you wrote about Cliff May…in this post you say…”shown at right” regarding it… I can’t find it on this site…any clues.
from yous
Dan Gregory // April 2, 2009 at 8:54 am |
Hello,
Thanks for reminding me! It’s Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House, published by Rizzoli, 2008. The photographer is Joe Fletcher and it describes how Cliff May helped develop and popularize the suburban ranch house, an emblem of the California dream. Here’s the link to it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Cliff-May-Modern-Ranch-House/dp/0847830470/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238691011&sr=8-1
I have now added an image of the book’s cover to About Eye On Design.
Cordially,
Dan
Sally Aberg Becom // May 13, 2009 at 1:11 pm |
Greetings, Dan! Jeffrey and I have lost touch with you. It is wonderful to see what you have been up to since Sunset—the book, blog and website! I am currently heading a campaign to try and save an amazing modernist house in Pacific Grove from a wrecking ball. I would be most grateful if you could email me so I can give you a little history and then ask a few questions. I am very hopeful that you will be able to supply the answers and perhaps help confirm whether or not this home was featured in Sunset sometime between 1953 and 1960.
Dan Gregory // June 15, 2009 at 7:46 am |
Hi John,
Thanks for re-connecting. Let me know about any HG introductions. Keep in touch.
Best,
dan