Dr. Thomas Greene, their father, was a friend of Mr. Calvin Woodward, the founder of the Manual Training High School in Missouri. The boys were enrolled there and thus, their "foundation" to architecture begain. Aside from academic studies at the high school, included in the curriculum were also three years of shop training; one year was devoted to woodworking, another for metalworking, and the final year to machine tool design.
In 1888, Charles and Henry entered the School of Architecture at Boston Tech, where their training was involved with traditional historic European styles. Once they graduated, they stayed in Boston working on offices in buildings until they finally decided to settle in Pasadena in 1893 and establish their own architectural firm. Their first commision was for a tombstone; the second was for a simple house for a family friend. Though their early projects may have seemed mediocre at the time, they later established much recognition for their innovative ideas when it came to ideas and style.
In 1907, Charles and Henry built and constructed the Gamble House, which is considered their finest achievement in architecture. Other houses and buildings include the Bandini House and the Blacker House, as well as several churches. In 1916, Charles decided to leave the firm that they had created to pursue his own personal desires involving architecture, but moreso on spiritual matters; he moved to Carmel in 1957. Henry continued working in Pasadena, then later moved to Aladena. From that point, much of their work was almost forgotten. However, it was from the recognition given by the American Institute of Architects that the brothers were considered leaders in the American Art and Crafts movement.
Henry Greene passed away in 1954 in Altadena, California; Charles followed soon after in 1957 in Carmel.
