Modernique Facade A Gregory Ain House in Mar Vista Tract 1948｜© 2026 Yasuko Kamei
Experience the serene dialogue between California Modernism and the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Immerse yourself in the spatial harmony of architect Gregory Ain’s and landscape architect Garrett Eckbo’s iconic 52-home enclave. Designed in 1948 by architect Gregory Ain and landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, the Mar Vista Tract (originally "Modernique Homes") represents a landmark in California Modernism. Driven by a philosophy of bringing good design to the masses, the 52 homes featured innovative, flexible floor plans with sliding panels and open kitchens to accommodate evolving family needs. The development is renowned for its unique use of rich color and Eckbo’s fluid, park-like landscaping that fostered a sense of community. In 2003, acknowledging its architectural significance, the neighborhood was designated as the first Post-World War II Modern historic district in the City of Los Angeles. More than seventy years later, the neighborhood continues to retain its vitality and richness, thanks in large part to the residents’ commitment to careful maintenance and community stewardship. Experience this unique environment firsthand in an open-house style tour, with the chance to attend an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony. We warmly invite you to take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the enduring legacy of this collaboration.
This is a walking tour, you must provide your own transportation. There is a train line that takes about 20 minutes from USC and will get you within a mile of the Mar Vista Tract. We recommend taking the train and then getting a ride share the rest of the way to Mar Vista, which will be about a 5 minute drive. A tour volunteer will lead the group from USC on the train to the Mar Vista Tract.
About the Tour Leaders
Yasuko Kamei Associate Professor at the College of Industrial Technology, Nihon University, and former Board Member of DOCOMOMO Japan. A leading scholar on this site, she presented her research paper, "Transformation of a Suburban Estate Designed by Gregory Ain: Preservation of the Mar Vista Tract After 60 Years," at the 2008 DOCOMOMO International Conference.
Takashi Yanai A Japanese architect based in Los Angeles. A resident of Mar Vista for several years, he currently serves as a Board Member of the Mar Vista Tract HPOZ, actively contributing his architectural expertise to the preservation of the district. He also leads "meier st/", an organization dedicated to fostering a community where people connect with one another.
Hans Adamson & Amanda Seward Residents of the Mar Vista Tract since 1994. Hans has been a dedicated Board Member of the Mar Vista Tract HPOZ since that time. Together, they are long-standing guardians of the neighborhood with a deep knowledge of its history and evolution.
Program Details
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Open House Tour
Explore the diverse interiors of the Mar Vista Tract. Several homes will be open for viewing, ranging from those preserving Ain’s original flexible floor plans—featuring sliding and folding walls—to those that have been thoughtfully renovated over the decades. Witness how the "kitchen-centered" layout, originally designed to liberate women from domestic isolation, adapts to modern life.
3:00 PM & 5:00 PM Japanese Tea Ceremony (Venue: 3551 Meier St.)
Deepen your understanding of Japanese culture within the context of American Modernism. This program honors the legacy of Sen Genshitsu, the 15th Grand Master of Urasenke, who championed "Peacefulness through a Bowl of Tea." Historical Note: In 1951, a young Sen Soko (Sen Genshitsu) visited the nearby Eames House. That same year, a tea ceremony was held there, likely by Master Matsumoto Sosei. We revive this historical dialogue between modern architecture and the Tea Ceremony. We present this not merely as a performance, but as an authentic tea gathering. The theme and utensils are carefully curated to resonate with the architectural space. Note on Participation: Tea will be served to 2–4 seated guests. All other attendees are invited to observe the ritual and share in the spiritual atmosphere of the setting.
Art Exhibition – "Resilience in the Ashes"
Artist Jeffrey Takumi Sugishita, a survivor of the Los Angeles fire and a student of Urasenke teacher Hiromi Yamashita, will exhibit a selection of tea utensils created with a spirit of resilience and restoration, under the theme of "Recovery from Disaster."
Co-hosted by CIT Nihon Univ. Kamei Lab., meier st/; In Cooperation with: Mar Vista Tract Residents, Jeffrey Takumi Sugishita,The Zenshuji Sado-bu; Supported by DOCOMOMO Japan