#35 // Bright & Associates

p199 // Franklin D. Israel Design Associates // Venice // 1991

I wondered why this building was listed in as one of ‘263 Key American Buildings’ but it was obvious when I found it was the office and factory of the Charles and Ray Eames for over forty years. They seem like the original hipsters of the industrial back streets of Venice Beach, imagine all iconic furniture and toys that were designed, prototyped and made in this building. Refurbished in 1991, its now a series of small offices reminiscent of Eric Owen Moss’ work reinventing industrial buildings on the other side of LA in Culver City.

// 228 remain //

#34 // Chiat-Day Building

p200 // Frank O Gehry // Venice // Los Angeles // 1991

Well, it just has to be seen, the giant binocular building by Gehry. An earlier work by Gehry this building typifies his recipe, a juxtaposition between three weird and wonderful elements with a simple red brick boxy building at the back. To the left of the binoculars there is a white building with his typical square windows punched out through two offset layers of facade and to the right of the binoculars a really strange copper clad oversized ‘thing’ – I don’t know what it is. The building was advertising offices and has now been taken over of course by Google! However, they are doing their best to hide its strangeness by growing giant leafy trees along Main street, leaving only the iconic binocular entry visible.

 

// 229 remain //

California Touring // Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills // LA in 1 Day

Start with a walk through Santa Monica, looking at all the beautiful art deco buildings – try not to be distracted by the fabulous newly refurbished shops on the third street promenade.

Hire bikes under the Santa Monica pier and cycle south along the beach to the funky suburb Venica. Pass the trapeze artists on the circus equipment, Muscle beach and all the weird and wonderful sights of Venice Beach, including the skate bowl;

Cycle through the backstreets of Venice looking at all the different types of architecture along the canals.

Further north past Santa Monica, cycle towards Malibu.

Jump back in the car and drive along Sunset Boulevard into Beverly Hills. Get lost trying and failing to find stars homes.

Drive up the weaving streets trying to get as close as possible to the Hollywood sign;

Park next to Harrison Ford on Hollywood Boulevard;

Visit the fabulous Marilyn exhibit at the Hollywood Museum housed in an art deco Max Factor building;

Drive down Rodeo Drive;

And back to Downtown LA on Wiltshire;

Have a sunset dinner with the Mariachi and Mojitos in the Mexican village “El Pueblo” just across the road from beautiful Union Station;