You can finally buy an Eames house. Sort of

Published on March 31, 2026

In a 1944 issue of *Arts & Architecture* magazine, architect and designer Charles Eames raised a crucial concern regarding America’s housing crisis. He wrote, “It has been estimated that one million five hundred thousand houses each year for a period of 10 years will be needed to relieve the urgent housing problem of this country.” Eames emphasized that traditional building techniques would not suffice, and large-scale industrial production appeared to be the only viable solution.

Throughout their careers, Charles and Ray Eames delved into the potential of industrial production in homebuilding, most notably through their own Pacific Palisades residence, known as Case Study #8. However, the concept of a fully factory-built house remained elusive for them—until now. A collaboration between the Eames Office, dedicated to preserving and extending the couple’s work, and Kettal, a Spanish manufacturer of furniture and prefabricated pavilions, is finally bringing this vision to life.

At Milan Design Week, the two organizations unveiled The Eames Pavilion System, a modular construction concept that reflects the Eameses’ principles of efficient, flexible, and adaptable architecture. A four-meter-square indoor pavilion, roughly 170 square feet, will begin at 45,000 Euros (about $52,000) and is slated for global sales starting in late 2026. An outdoor version of the same size will start at 60,000 Euros (about $69,000), with availability anticipated in 2027. Customers will have the option to combine modules for larger pavilions, as well as stack them up to two stories.

For the Milan installation, on display at the Triennale Museum from April 21 to May 10, 2026, Kettal and the Eames Office will showcase two configurations produced . The first is a double-height version reminiscent of Case Study #8, featuring a black-painted metal frame, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, zig-zag trusses, chicken wire–reinforced windows, and vivid wall panels in primary colors, with a price tag of 145,000 Euros (about $167,000). The second showcases a single module adorned with geometric shapes favored .

While these new pavilions are not exact replicas of any existing Eames houses, they embody the core ideas concerning materiality, structure, and proportion that shaped the Eameses’ residential designs, capturing the enchanting spirit of their architectural legacy.

“The Eames houses were intended as the start of a system or series, but they also represented experiments,” stated Eckart Maise, author of the upcoming book *The Eames Houses*, who led the pavilion’s development with Kettal. He added, “Charles and Ray were very clear in their intent to mass produce.”

Today, the housing crisis is even more critical than it was when Charles penned his article. According to Zillow, the housing deficit in the United States has surged to a staggering 4.7 million units as of 2025. Could an Eames-designed prefab offer a part of the solution?

The Eames Office has been working towards this ambitious goal for years. In 2021, they attempted to revive a never-built 1951 wood-framed prefab designed with Kwikset, but challenges in the regional business models of prefab housing limited potential scale. Subsequently, they refocused on manufacturers capable of international reach to facilitate the mass distribution of metal-framed structures.

This terrestrial shift ultimately led Maise to Kettal. One of its key offerings—a modular pavilion system for both indoor and outdoor use—has been flourishing for a decade and already had the necessary framework for worldwide production, distribution, and installation. Kettal’s creative director, Antonio Navarro, expressed enthusiasm for exploring an Eamesian design. “It’s hard not to fall in love with the solutions and atmosphere they created,” he said. Navarro believes that such architecture is essential for the future due to its ecological benefits, ease of assembly, transportability, and manufacturability.

Maise and Kettal devoted three years to researching and developing the Eames Pavilion System. Their process began with visiting Case Study #8 to capture measurements, color samples, and material analyses. As Maise noted, attention to detail—even window profiles—was crucial to maintain the “magic” of Charles and Ray’s spaces. The team also perused archives for homes designed for notable figures, including *Arts & Architecture* editor John Entenza and filmmaker Billy Wilder, gathering unique insights into the Eameses’ architectural philosophy.

From these investigations, Maise recognized how the Eameses employed modules and expanded floor plans based on those dimensions, leading to a flexible system accommodating multiple potential configurations. “It’s an open system, and you can build various designs because you can see how expansive their thinking was,” he reflected.

The Kettal-manufactured system is delivered in flat-pack format, sharing design lineage with the Eameses’ architecture. However, it is not merely a copy of the Eames House. Customization options will resonate with enthusiasts, such as roof designs that mirror Case Study #8’s flush walls or deep eaves, nodding to the Wilder house. Options for the exterior walls will include solid materials, glass, or panels featuring designs reminiscent of the Eameses’ pioneering work.

Modern material advancements and more stringent building regulations now influence the designs. Kettal will utilize contemporary materials like aluminum windows with thermal insulation glass, lightweight concrete panels, and aluminum alloy framing, all offering improved performance compared to the Eameses’ original materials.

The Eames Office and Kettal envision various potential uses for these pavilions, including Accessory Dwelling Units, backyard studios, pool houses, or even single-family homes. Before they can launch, however, testing must confirm the pavilion meets the rigorous global building codes and requirements. There is also significant potential for converting these pavilions into

You can finally buy an Eames house. Sort of

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