Los Angeles Architecture and Design
Los Angeles has often been referred to as a kaleidoscope of architectural styles and designs. Throughout its history, several prominent arts movements have shaped and influenced the design of many buildings and places in the city of Los Angeles. Mission Revival Movement The first occupation of Los Angeles was by the Spanish in the 1700s. During this time, all of the buildings in the city were adobe structures of typical Spanish design, and they were organized in a central plaza format. Although this architectural style would later be replaced by other forms, we would see it somewhat re-emerge again during the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival movements in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The Mission Revival movement, like its name suggests, drew inspiration from the Spanish Missions in California , and was marked by the revival of the use of mission arches, tile roofs, gables, and domes.Mission Revival architecture is significant for the city of Los Angeles in the fact that it exemplifies the rich Spanish colonial heritage of the city. [1] Arts and Crafts Movement Another important architectural style that was concurrent with Mission Revival was the Arts and Crafts movement, also known as the Craftsmen movement. The Arts and Crafts style placed emphasis on simple designs and adapting form to function. Craftsmen works were particularly marked by the use of natural wood and cobblestone/brick, beautifully crafted wood shingled houses and wood paneled interiors. The works of the brothers Charles and Henry Greene are considered to be the prime exemplars of the Craftsmen movement; however, there were many other talented architects that also contributed to the movement. [1][2] International Style A significant architectural movement known as the International Style emerged in Los Angeles during the 1920s. The International Style was originally derived from post WWI European modernist architecture and its major proponents, architects R. M. Schindler and Richard Neutra were both also European (Austrian) born. This particular art style focused on rectilinear shapes, flat roofs, horizontal bands, and mostly used concrete or stucco as building material. The main theme of the International Style is “less is more” which refers to the minimalist architectural design that this style is well known for. [1][2] Contemporary/Modern Style The International Style would later evolve into the Contemporary or Modern Style beginning in the 1950s and 60s. The Contemporary Style integrated European based ideas and designs from the International Style with the “organic” architecture of famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. One defining feature of Contemporary architecture is that it extensively used materials such as stainless steel, plate glass, laminates, plywood, and concrete which were made readily available from the war effort. Other features of Contemporary works included overhanging flat roofs with plate glass on exterior walls, solid wall panels, clean building profiles, and exposed support posts. [1][2] |
|
[1] Gebhard, D., & Winter, R. (2003). An architectural guidebook to Los Angeles (Rev. ed., pp. 11-38).Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith.
[2] Architectural Styles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.preservation.lacity.org/files/Chapter 6 Part I.pdf
IMAGES:
[Figure 1] retrieved from: <http://www.abbeysanencino.com/images/AbbeySanEncino06.jpg>
[Figure 2] retrieved from: <https://www.flickr.com/photos/archirazzi/4875026816/>
[Figure 3] retrieved from: <https://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_locke/2936110048/>
[Figure 4] retrieved from: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binoculars_Building>
[2] Architectural Styles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.preservation.lacity.org/files/Chapter 6 Part I.pdf
IMAGES:
[Figure 1] retrieved from: <http://www.abbeysanencino.com/images/AbbeySanEncino06.jpg>
[Figure 2] retrieved from: <https://www.flickr.com/photos/archirazzi/4875026816/>
[Figure 3] retrieved from: <https://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_locke/2936110048/>
[Figure 4] retrieved from: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binoculars_Building>