Robert Rummer

Robert Rummer and the Rise of the Northwest Eichler

While California is often credited as the birthplace of the mid-century modern suburban home, Robert Rummer brought that same spirit of innovation to the Pacific Northwest. Inspired by the work of California developer Joseph Eichler, Rummer set out in the 1960s to create modern, affordable homes in Oregon that reflected contemporary lifestyles and connected residents to nature. His company, Rummer Homes, built more than 700 houses across the Portland metropolitan area, each one designed around the idea that modern architecture could be both accessible and family-friendly.

Rummer’s homes featured open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, post-and-beam construction, and central atriums that blurred the boundaries between indoors and out. These were houses built for light, air, and community. While their clean lines and minimalist details mirrored the modernism of Southern California, Rummer adapted his designs to Oregon’s cooler, wetter climate by using radiant floor heating and covered outdoor spaces. His work helped define what is now known as Northwest Modernism, blending mid-century aesthetics with regional practicality.

Today, Rummer Homes are celebrated as architectural treasures. Enthusiasts prize their livability and craftsmanship, and preservation groups have recognized them as vital examples of postwar modern residential design in the Pacific Northwest. Like Eichler before him, Robert Rummer believed that good design should be available to everyone—and his vision of modern living continues to inspire architects and homeowners alike.