Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970

by Alan Hess, Alan Weintraub (Photographer)

<!-- #pd-fixedwrapper1 {width:800px; overflow: auto;} .pd-img1 {border-style: solid; border-width: 3px; border-color: #B8B8B8; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-left:15; } .pd-content1 {} .pd-content2 {float: left; width:350px; margin-left: 15px; line-height: 45px;} --> Forgotten Modern reveals the work of the innovative architects building in California from the 1930s to the 1970s. With groundbreaking and illuminating examples that will alter the way we think of California architecture, Hess and Weintraub focus on those that exemplify early mid-entury modern, variations on minimalism, and organic architecture. Though architects, historians, and the public alike have overlooked many of these superb architects from California's past century, this book intends to bring them back to our attention. All the architects included here are important in helping to show the breadth of design, that styles like Organic were more widely represented than we have previously realized, and that the fertile soil of California design fostered a wide spectrum of remarkable ideas-even if not all developed a significant school of followers. Chapters Include:

Genres: Architecture

280 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2007

About the author

Born in California in 1952, Hess received his BA at Principia College, a Master's degree in architecture from the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, and is a licensed architect. After working with architects William Coburn, and Callister Payne and Bischoff, Hess started his own firm specializing in residential work and historic preservation. His first book, Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (Chronicle Books 1985) focused on a neglected and popular Modern form. Following books continued to explore overlooked chapters in twentieth-century architecture and urbanism. He is responsible for qualifying several landmark buildings for the National Register of Historic Places, including the oldest operating McDonald's in Downey, Stuart Company Plant and Office Building and Bullock's Pasadena in Pasadena, and the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most interesting thing about this book is how the "Forgotten" aspect comes to life primarily through the fact that so many of the houses have very dated (and not in a good way) interior design. What a fascinating look into mid-century modern homes!

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good, having lived in both Southern and Northern California, this is such a treat to learn about the residential architects of the mid-20th century in the golden state.

[Jason Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite modern California homes. I seriously dig this book!