across the u.s.mid-century moderncalifornia
Streng homes, Sacramento
Streng Bros. Homes built thousands of Eichler-inspired modern houses around Sacramento and Davis from 1959 into the late 1980s, most designed by architect Carter Sparks. Brothers Jim and Bill Streng adapted Bay Area modernism to Valley heat with skylit interior atriums, broad eaves and air-conditioning, in subdivisions from Sacramento, Carmichael and Fair Oaks to Elk Grove, Woodland and Davis.
The housesThe rulesBefore you buy
- built1959–late 1980send date varies by source
- homes3,000–4,000sources differ
- architectCarter Sparks1923–1997
- buildersJim and Bill StrengStreng Bros. Homes
the houses
What makes them distinctive
- Covered atriumUnlike Eichler’s open-air atrium, the Streng atrium is open to the living areas and topped with a dome of tinted acrylic to block heat.
- Built for heatSparks designed for a hot climate: air-conditioning instead of radiant heat, and broad overhanging eaves for shade.
- Post-and-beam and glassIn Wilhaggin, the Strengs sold architect-designed post-and-beam homes with open plans and glass walls.
- The “Classic” frontSparks’ “Classic” model has a low-pitch front gable with large projecting beams, a facade blank except for clerestory windows, a recessed entry and a carport.
- Eichler tiesSparks had worked at Anshen & Allen, Eichler’s original architects, and the Strengs and Eichler briefly discussed sharing designs and even merging.
- Plans variedBuyers could have Sparks’ plans changed when they bought, so houses of the same model can differ.
the subdivisions
Some Streng subdivisions
| Subdivision | City | Built | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelfield Oaks | Carmichael | 1965–1967 | 67 modern |
| University Estates | Davis | 1964–1975 | about 100 to 500 (sources differ) |
| Wilhaggin Estates | Sacramento area | 1968–1972 | about 150 |
| Covell Park | Davis | from 1975 | about 250 by the Strengs |
| Williamson Ranch | Elk Grove | late 1970s to about 1990 | just under 200 |
A few of the 40-some Streng subdivisions; counts and dates as the sources report them.
protection
Designation and the rules
- No designated Streng districtWe found no Streng tract on the National Register or designated as a local historic district. The City of Sacramento’s 2017 mid-century modern survey noted that most Streng tracts lie outside city limits.
- Davis eligibility findingA study for the City of Davis by historian Kara Brunzell found University Estates appears eligible as a historic district for the National Register, the California Register and the Davis list; we found no record of a designation.
- Mills ActCalifornia’s Mills Act contracts are between the owner and the local government and need a property on a national, state, county or city register; they run 10 years with yearly renewals and pass to new owners. A Streng house would need to be listed first.
before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Atrium domeCheck the age and condition of the acrylic atrium dome; some owners have replaced theirs with more energy-efficient acrylic.
- Roof and coolingSome owners have added foam roofs. Ask for the roof type and age and the age of the cooling system.
- WindowsOriginal windows may be single-pane wood frames; one Carmichael owner kept them and ordered matching ones from Blomberg, the original maker.
- Original vs. alteredStreng tracts mix Sparks modern models with traditional ranches, and many houses have been remodeled; Jim Streng said he wished they had done more to control changes.
- Which jurisdictionMost Streng tracts are outside Sacramento city limits, so confirm the city or county for the parcel before assuming any survey, register or Mills Act program applies.
Sources disagree on totals (more than 3,000 modern homes to close to 4,000 in all), the start (1957 to 1960), the end date (early 1980s to 1989) and the size of University Estates; the Sacramento and Davis survey reports themselves couldn’t be opened.
sources
Where this comes from
Checked October 20, 2026.
- Eichler Network: Greater Sacramento Strengs: Valley of the AtriumsTotals, subdivisions, Sparks, atrium, cooling, Eichler ties.www.eichlernetwork.com/article/greater-sacramento-strengs-valley-atriums
- Sacramento Modern: 60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes tour (2019)Modern homes in Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties.sacmod.org/june-1-2019-60-years-of-streng-bros-homes-2019-sacramento-mid-century-modern-home-tour/
- Eichler Network: Study says Streng homes retain integrity (2017)University Estates eligibility.www.eichlernetwork.com/blog/dave-weinstein/study-says-streng-homes-retain-integrity
- Eichler Network: Streng homes may be deemed historicThe “Classic” model.www.eichlernetwork.com/blog/dave-weinstein/streng-homes-may-be-deemed-historic
- Eichler Network: Historic district for Sacramento Eichlers? (2018)Sacramento’s 2017 survey; tracts outside city limits.www.eichlernetwork.com/blog/dave-weinstein/historic-district-sacramento-eichlers
- Eichler Network: The great late-century modern of Elk Grove (2020)Williamson Ranch, foam roofs.eichlernetwork.com/blog/dave-weinstein/great-late-century-modern-elk-grove
- Inside Sacramento: Love at first sightWindows, totals and years.insidesacramento.com/love-at-first-sight/
- California Office of Historic Preservation: Mills Act ProgramMills Act eligibility and terms.ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21412
- National Park Service: National Register FAQNational Register listing places no restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property.www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/faqs.htm
questions
Questions we hear
Are Streng homes Eichlers?
No. Streng Bros. Homes built them, mostly to designs by Carter Sparks, who had worked at Eichler’s architects Anshen & Allen; the Strengs adapted ideas like the atrium for Valley heat.
Are any Streng neighborhoods historic districts?
We found none formally designated. A Davis study found University Estates eligible for national, state and local listing, but we found no record of a designation.
How many Streng homes are there?
Estimates run from more than 3,000 modern homes to close to 4,000 in all, built from 1959 into the late 1980s in Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties.
more to learn
Keep going
- Anshen & Allen homesAnshen & Allen’s Eichler work in the Bay Area.
- Mid-century modern across the U.S.Every guide in the series, coast to coast.
- Mid-century modern homes in Silicon ValleyThe style at home: where it is, what to look for.
- Silicon Valley Eichler tractsEvery Silicon Valley Eichler tract we cover, with live listings.
- Builder FilesThe builders and architects behind Bay Area homes.
General information from the sources listed, checked October 20, 2026; not legal, preservation or construction advice. Confirm designation and permit rules with the local preservation office before you buy or remodel. The Boyenga Team represents buyers and sellers in Santa Clara County, bay-side San Mateo County and San Francisco.
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