The Oakland & Imada Collection spans the years 1942-2002 (bulk 1953-1999) and includes files documenting the projects of the firm and its predecessor, Claude Oakland & Associates, and the activities of the two partners. The Collection is organized into five Series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Office Records, Non-Eichler Project Records and Eichler Project Records.

Both the Personal Papers and Professional Papers series are limited and contain documents primarily relating to Claude Oakland. Personal Papers contain biographical information for Claude Oakland as well as correspondence and a travel diary written by his friend Thomas H. Creighton. The Professional Papers contain Claude Oakland’s architectural license and award, portfolios from his time at Anshen & Allen, and files related to both Oakland and Imada’s involvement in the AIA.

The Office Records series consists primarily of records related to marketing including firm brochures, project brochures, awards and award submissions, publication correspondence, photographs, and clip files. Also included are some administrative files and reference files, as well as correspondence between clients, other architects, landscape architects, contractors, and other associates.

The Non-Eichler Projects Records consist primarily of residential projects as well as some commercial, medical, and public buildings. Records include files, photographs, slides, and architectural drawings. Well-documented projects include a house for structural engineer T.Y. Lin in El Cerrito, CA (1969); the Lakeside Apartments in Oakland, CA (1976); and an office building for structural engineers George S. Nolte and Associates in San Jose, CA (1982).

The Eichler Project Records make up the bulk of the collection and contain documentation for projects commissioned by Joseph Eichler and his development companies. Records consist of files, photographs, slides, architectural drawings, and presentation drawings. Eichler house models are identified by a naming system reflecting the subdivision location code and model number (ex. MC-184 for Marin County model 184). Projects are organized by homeowner/project name if they are identified. Otherwise model plans are grouped and organized by subdivision name or location code. Many of the subdivision site plans were designed by Jones & Emmons, Eichler’s architects in southern California. There are a small number of drawings for house models designed by Jones & Emmons in the collection as well, and those model numbers are represented by a numerical code (ex. 2.1).

Joseph Eichler development companies:

Eichler Homes, Inc. (1950-1968)

J.L. Eichler Associates, Inc. (1966-1972)

Nonpareil Homes, Inc. (1967)

Alsco Homes, Inc. (1973-1974)