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Los Angeles Architecture 101: Mid-Century Modern Architecture

 

Featured image credit: mbtrama

As our Architecture 101 blog series has strived to illuminate, California has often stood at the forefront of America’s architectural development. But this arguably became most obvious in the 1940s with the introduction of today’s featured design movement. Since the mid-1950s, the term “mid-century modern” has been bandied about. But it wasn’t until the ‘80s that experts widely recognized mid-century modern architecture by this name. Nearby Palm Springs is an undisputed mecca of mid-century modern structures, but this blog series is about architecture in Los Angeles, so we’ll be maintaining that focus. Without further adieu, let’s get optimistically simple! 

A Simple, Straightforward Response to the Post-War Housing Crisis

Photo credit: Grueslayer

While mid-century architecture had a global impact, it was most obvious in new homes built in Brazil, Europe, and the U.S. between 1945 and the early ‘70s. Gone was the ornamentalism of exotic revival styles. Rather, architects working in mid-century modern designs were searching for the meaning at the heart of a structure; an authentic, sincere communication between the architect and the inhabitant. It may seem grandiose, but the result was simplified compared to preceding design crazes. And simple was ideal considering service members were returning from World War II in droves at the genesis of the mid-century modern movement. 

We’ve talked a great deal about the post-war boom and its impact on a myriad of architectural styles popularly employed in Los Angeles in our Architecture 101 blogs. LA’s role as a hub for military aircraft manufacturing and shipbuilding added further fuel to this post-war housing boom. It was a solid place for a service member to land, making use of the skills they’d developed during the war. But mid-century modern architecture arose from a time when this sudden demand outstripped the supply dramatically, feeding a pronounced housing crisis.

Form Celebrating Liberty

At odds with this crisis, a general sense of optimism permeated post-war America. It’s a feeling that mid-century modern architecture managed to capture in its clean, almost futuristic efficiency. Mid-century modern took a snapshot of a world ready to move forward. Open floorplans encouraged this motion as did rooms that weren’t committed to any specific purpose. This new modern home celebrated a hard-won liberty. 

Common Features of Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Photo credit: Ilpo’s Sojourn

Despite what the name would imply, mid-century modern architecture didn’t encompass all styles of the mid-20th century. Rather, mid-century modern designs adhered to a concerted set of principles and defining features independent of the period. Cost-effective materials including concrete, cement, and plywood allowed construction to pivot to the growing demand for housing. Meanwhile, new technological breakthroughs in industrial insulated glass allowed for greater freedom as forerunners to the post-and-beam style did away with the need for hulking structural supports. With insulated glass, floor-to-ceiling windows became commonplace.   

The tell-tale features of mid-century modern architecture included: 

  • Affordable materials including concrete, cement, wood, and glass
  • Clean, simple lines
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Functional use
  • Indoor-outdoor designs prioritizing nature
  • Lack of ornamentalism 
  • Open floor plans

The Case Study House Experiment

For many people, Arts & Architecture magazine’s ambitious case study houses served as an introduction to mid-century modern architecture. Construction crews built the vast majority of these experimental homes in Southern California. From 1945 until 1966, notable architects created 36 case study homes on the magazine’s dime, addressing the housing crisis with innovation that helped propel the themes of mid-century modern architecture. Several of these structures are lost to time, whether demolished or renovated beyond recognition. Yet, some remain in similar condition, a time capsule underscoring the energizing creativity of mid-century modern in its prime. 

Popularizing Mid-Century Modern Architecture in LA

Photo credit: Los Angeles

Yet, the case study houses couldn’t touch the influence that a single architect had on mid-century modern architecture. Universally acclaimed as the godfather of mid-century modern, Frank Lloyd Wright helped to popularize this architectural style in suburbs across America. His philosophies on Organic Architecture leaned into blurring the lines between nature and structure with inside-outside designs that became a tenet of mid-century modern homes. He also prioritized open, flowing floor plans and liberal use of wood paneling. 

During the height of mid-century modern’s popularity, Wright was already very much in demand. However, real estate developer Joseph Eichler of Eichler Homes helped to spread his influence by bringing affordable mid-century modern architecture to suburbs across the Greater Los Angeles area. While LA isn’t quite the bastion of mid-century modern structures quite like Palm Springs, its influence still can easily be recognized throughout the city. 

Examples of Mid-Century Modern Architecture Around Los Angeles

If you’re interested in seeing mid-century modern architecture in the wild, the following examples wouldn’t be a bad place to start: 

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