Theme Building
Theme Building | |
---|---|
Paul Williams and Welton Becket | |
Architectural style(s) | Mid-century modern, Googie |
Governing body | Los Angeles World Airports |
Designated | December 18, 1993[1] |
Reference no. | 570 |
The Theme Building is a structure at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), considered an architectural example of the Space Age design style. Influenced by "Populuxe" architecture, it is an example of the Mid-century modern design movement later to become known as "Googie".[2] The Airport Theme Building Exterior and Interior was designated as a historic-cultural monument in 1993 by the city.[3]
Architecture
The distinctive white building resembles a
The appearance of the building's signature crossed arches as homogeneous structures is a design illusion, created by topping four steel-reinforced concrete legs extending approximately 15 feet above the ground with hollow stucco-covered steel trusses. To counteract earthquake movements, the Theme Building was retrofitted in 2010 with a tuned mass damper without changing its outward appearance.[7]
Constructed near the beginning of the
History
The original design for the airport created by Pereira & Luckman in 1959 had all the terminal buildings and parking structures connected to a huge glass dome, which would serve as a central hub for traffic circulation. The plan was eventually scaled down considerably, and the terminals were constructed elsewhere on the property.[9] The Theme Building was subsequently built to mark the spot intended for the dome structure, as a reminder of the original plan.
The building construction contract was awarded to Robert E. McKee General Contractor, Inc. of El Paso, Texas.[10]
The structure was dedicated on June 25, 1961, by Vice President
A $4 million renovation, with
After the
The Encounter Restaurant closed for business in December 2013 with no future plans to reopen, although the building's observation level is still open on weekends.
In 2018, the Bob Hope
See also
References
- ^ a b "Historic Resources Report" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. September 7, 2007.
- ^ Novak, Matt. "Googie: Architecture of the Space Age". Smithsonian. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Report - HPLA". historicplacesla.org. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "The "Theme Building," Los Angeles International Airport". University of Southern California. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
- ^ "ICONIC BUILDING OF THE MONTH: THE THEME BUILDING | Spektra Global". June 21, 2021.
- ^ "LAX Theme Building".
- ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (April 17, 2010). "In Los Angeles, the Saucer Is Ready to Land Again". The New York Times. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ Anderton, Frances (July 16, 2019). "How the Space Age influenced Southland design and architecture". KCRW. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "The Unlikely History of Pereira's Theme Building". Fentress Architects. February 8, 2013. Archived from the original on March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
- ^ "PCAD - Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Theme and Arch Building, Westchester, Los Angeles, CA". pcad.lib.washington.edu. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "PCAD - Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Theme and Arch Building, Westchester, Los Angeles, CA". pcad.lib.washington.edu. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ Moffat, Susan (December 19, 1992). "Landing a Landmark: LAX Monument to '60s Optimism Granted Historical Status". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
- ^ Kreuzer, Nikki "Offbeat L.A.: Sexy Space Age – The Theme Building at LAX", The Los Angeles Beat, May 30, 2013.
- ^ Reynolds, Christopher (January 19, 1997). "Theme Building: 60-Second Appraisal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- KPCC. July 2, 2010. Archived from the originalon June 22, 2011.
- ^ "Art Program – LAX 9/11 Memorial". lawa.org. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ a b Forgione, Mary (January 8, 2014). "Encounter, LAX Theme Building restaurant, closes with no plan in sight". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
- ^ Marroquin, Art (November 11, 2007). "Spruced-up Encounter Restaurant to reopen Monday at LAX". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on November 15, 2007. Retrieved November 11, 2007.
- ^ "Encounter Restaurant & Bar: Genesis of the Encounter and FAQs". Encounter LAX. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014.
- ^ "LAX's Encounter Restaurant Closes With No Plans To Reopen « CBS Los Angeles". Losangeles.cbslocal.com. January 8, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ^ "Bob Hope USO Opens New Airport Center Inside Iconic LAX Theme Building". Bob Hope USO.
- ^ Reynolds, Christopher (June 12, 2018). "Is LAX's Theme Building coming back to life as part of an on-airport hotel?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
External links
- Theme Building Archived March 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine – via USC
- Theme Building via Emporis