Architects and Architecture

George Nagano, Architect Cayucos CA

All it took was a stroll along the beach side of Pacific in Cayucos and a Robert Stanton and two George Nagano designed homes, to realize what the focus of this first piece and many to come would be – Architects and Architecture. It’s what inspired me to begin a career in real estate twenty-five years ago, and it still inspires me today. Every home is special in its own way, but I’ve always been drawn to design and how it speaks to us and makes us feel. I began my real estate journey in Los Angeles, home to pedigree architecture of every genre, but it was mid-century design that spoke to me and immediately became what I would focus on for the rest of my career.

Four years after launching my career in Los Angeles I moved to Fresno to me near my folks.  Where Los Angeles was home to architects familiar to me, the world class architecture in Fresno was attached to a whole bunch of names I didn’t know. I had my work cut out for me – architects to meet, homes and buildings to discover, and local treasures to honor. It was also my good fortune that Fresnans were ready to celebrate the Renaissance of the mid-century era that was such a huge part of the city’s history. The perfect storm - Fresno Modern was born. More than just my modest real estate company – it was community, a lifestyle, and a whole lot of good times and people that are memories I often think about.

When I first moved to Fresno I asked my brother, Jeff, “who do I want to meet here?” Without missing a beat (Jeff’s a drummer, so that’s a bit of a pun) he said, “there’s an Architect, Arthur Dyson who studied with Frank Lloyd Wright and his buildings are amazing. You need to meet him,” I don’t remember who reached out first, me or Art, but we met, and he and his lovely wife Audrey are now dear friends of both mine and Jeff’s. Always patient and generous with his time, Art became my go-to for questions about the local architects, design and materials of the day, and research on homes when I was having a hard time determining who their creator was. By the time I had arrived, many of the architects from the late 40s, 50s and 60s had left us, but I had the good fortune to have relationships with Robin Gay McCline and James Oakes who partnered for many years. I in fact purchased and restored the classic post and beam McCline designed Micka Residence from Mrs. Micka in 2016 and enjoyed living in it immensely. Before Gay’s passing, Gay and Sue McCline joined me and Gay spoke on a Mid-Century Modern home tour I sponsored for the Parties for the Parkway conservancy. Art would later organize a celebration of James Oakes’ wonderful accomplishments and architectural career that I was honored to participate in and attend. Fast forward to the present, I now share an office with Art Dyson and his associates in his building next to the Sea Shanty in Cayucos – graciously offered by a good friend and gratefully accepted by me.

There’s a reason I’ve given you a brief version of my story up to now, and that is that I love what I do, the homes I’m invited to see, and the wonderful conversations with the people willing to share their stories with me. It’s a process. In Fresno I didn’t know a soul except my brother. The new guy from LA, I would send letters to owners of homes that I admired and ask if they would be willing to allow me into their home to hear how they chose that style of home, or the architect that designed it. My letters often went unanswered until our paths crossed in person and though yes, I sell homes for a living, my interest was

sincere and hopefully it was evident that first and foremost, I was passionate about architecture. I love nothing more than a living room conversation with people willing to share their stories. Trusting relationships are earned in life. So IF you receive a letter from me, know that this is part of my journey – the new guy now living at the coast who’s been coming here all my life, loving the homes I see, stories I hear, and the people I meet.

Eldon Daetweiler COASTHOUS

I’m looking forward to deep dives in future pieces about the homes in our community, the architects who designed them, and great stories behind it all. Stay tuned…

Eldon Daetweiler / COASTHOUS / February 2026