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Sparks House : 1960

4500 Rutgers Way, Sacramento, CA

3 beds / 2 baths / 1,776 sq. ft

"The house Sparks designed for himself and his family shows what the architect could do when his budget was small. A boxy home with a low, glass-filled gable, the house has open-beams, oddly placed windows, and a simple plank deck overlooking the backyard, which originally had a manmade river.
...
The house has since been extensively remodeled, although it retains many of Sparks' characteristic touches."

-David Weinstein, "Signature Singular Sparks", https://www.eichlernetwork.com/article/signature-singular-sparks, 02/01/2010

More About the Sparks House at CA Modern

-subsequent owners painted over redwood interior, removed block fireplace, removed signature ceiling height front door, changed out windows to vinyl replacements, among other unfortunate changes.. Current owner, A Wilson, has made some positive updates, but much would need to be done to restore this home to near original.

Front entry - Sparks family photo; circa 1966
living room - Sparks family photo; circa 1966
Carter with a "trained branch" in front of his house - Sparks family photo; circa 1966

A young Jennifer in the Sparks' home carport, along with some magnificent automobiles. Circa 1965

Photo courtesy Jennifer Sparks, via CAModern Magazine