Lawrence Halprin 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL September/October HISTORIANS/ SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER NEWS 2017 Lawrence Halprin 1 President’s Letter 2 Soriano Salon 3 Authors on Architecture 4 IN THIS ISSUE Architecture Quiz Answers 6 Rock Study, 1956. Study, Rock Lawrence Halprin: Alternative Scores SAH/SCC Gallery Talk & Tour, Los Angeles Sunday, October 1, 2017, 3-5PM Spend a fall afternoon with SAH/SCC as we explore the work of legendary landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, FASLA. SAH/SCC Life Member and gallery owner Edward Cella will take us on a behind-the-scenes look at his new exhibition, “Lawrence Halprin: Alternative Scores—Drawing From Life” at Edward Cella Art + Architecture. Cella is opening up the gallery special for SAH/ SCC on a Sunday. Movement Study, 1970. Images: courtesy of Edward Cella Art + Architecture Cella of Edward Images: courtesy Sea Ranch, 1980. Pandanus Tree, Purvis Bay, Florida Islands, 1943.w Brooklyn-born Halprin (1916-2009) was educated at Cornell University and the University Alternative Scores—Drawing From Life” runs of Wisconsin before studying at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design with László concurrently with the A+D Museum’s “The Moholy-Nagy, Walter Gropius, FAIA, and Marcel Breuer, FAIA. By the mid-1960s, Lawrence Landscape Architecture of Lawrence Halprin,” Halprin & Associates gained recognition for urban landscape redevelopment projects, as well the travelling exhibition organized by The as for his work at the northern California community of Sea Ranch (Moore Lyndon Turnbull Cultural Landscape Foundation. Whitaker, 1964). The exhibition features the breadth of Halprin’s drawing during several decades. “Halprin’s Lawrence Halprin—Sunday, October 1, 2017; 3-5PM; daily practice of drawing was a means to not only record his diverse visual experiences, but was Edward Cella Art + Architecture, 2754 S. La a tool for engaging with the trials and tribulations of war, the ecstasies of life, and the rawness Cienega Boulevard, LA; $15 for SAH/SCC and beauty in nature,” shares Cella. Lost for decades, these drawings were found only after members, $20 for non-members; reservations— Halprin’s death. see order form on Page 6, call 800.972.4722, or This event will feature a gallery talk by Cella and light refreshments. “Lawrence Halprin: email [email protected]. SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER NEWS September/October 2017 1 SAH/SCC President’s Letter Tour and Event Information: Over this summer we lost one of the great than just a Palm Springs architect. He was a 1.800.972.4722 residential architects of his time: William Krisel, master architect who built in dozens of states [email protected] AIA. Krisel’s gift was his ability to deliver avant- across the country—and in multiple typologies. garde approaches to light and space in a way that After splitting with Palmer in 1966, he could be replicated by developers. His brilliant partnered again with Abraham Shapiro, AIA, and mind and artistic eye improved the quality of life followed developers into the high-rise projects SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS for thousands of residents in Southern California SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER that empty nesters and urban densification and beyond. necessitated. Coronado Shores condominiums Krisel was uniquely qualified to serve. Born (1972) are a remarkable achievement in which in Shanghai in 1924, he lived a privileged life and Bill’s talents in planning, design, and economy SAH/SCC NEWS is published bi-monthly could speak several languages by the time he created a group of high-rise buildings that never by the Society of Architectural Historians was a young man. While enrolled at the USC compromised privacy or views. Southern California Chapter. Subscription School of Architecture, he worked for both Victor Krisel’s legacy includes an impressive is a benefit of membership. Gruen, FAIA, and Paul László. Never lacking in body of commercial work as well as his famed confidence, Krisel spent his military service as residential projects. His ability to engage the Editor: Julie D. Taylor, Hon. AIA/LA a translator for General “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell in eye from the automobile was something he Internet Editor: Brent Eckerman the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Upon his return, he learned early on in Gruen’s office. He used Art Director: Svetlana Petrovic partnered with Dan Saxon Palmer, AIA, to form it to his advantage in myriad projects, most Palmer and Krisel, Architects. Administration: Arline Chambers notably in tract housing, where he created an Although the firm is best remembered architectural cadence that wooed buyers who November/December 2017 issue deadline for its work with the Alexander Construction recognized there was something different and for newsletter information and ads: October Company for the father-son team of George appealing about Palmer and Krisel developments. 10, 2017. Please send all ad materials, and and Robert Alexander, Palmer and Krisel’s early More elegant than their Googie cousins, Bill’s news to the attention of the editor: work for other developers in tracts in Parkwood commercial projects engaged the consumer with Covina and Midland La Mirada demonstrated the subtle opulence of simplicity and good design. Julie D. Taylor, Editor their willingness to push the envelope of design SAH/SCC News P.O. Box 56478 At an SAH/SCC screening of the documentary for homes that adhered to strict FHA (Federal on Bill’s work—“Bill Krisel, Architect” (Jake Gorst, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 Housing Administration) standards. “I always 2010)—I had the pleasure of leading him in a Q&A Newsletter telephone: 310.247.1099 remembered that every line I drew cost money,” session with the audience. I played the straight man Newsletter fax: 310.247.8147 he shared with me once over lunch. and let him be the star that he was. His sharp wit Newsletter e-mail: [email protected] Bill lived to be honored by the City of Palm and uncompromising manner shone through. He Springs for his tremendous contributions to that was always generous to me with his time and his SAH/SCC Executive Board city’s built environment. Yet, without denigrating memories. He will be missed. Sian Winship (President) that contribution, I counter that he was far more —Sian Winship Jay Platt (Vice President) Rina Rubenstein (Membership) John Berley (Treasurer) Brent Eckerman (Internet) Jean Clare Baaden Kimberly Bahnsen McCarron Merry Ovnick Mark Piaia Lauren Van Der Veen SAH/SCC Advisory Board Ted Bosley Ken Breisch Stephen Harby Elizabeth McMillian Rochelle Mills Claire Rogger Richard C. Rowe Ann Scheid Nancy Smith Ted Wells Robert Winter SAH/SCC President Sian Winship, SAH/SCC News Editor Julie D. Taylor, Hon. AIA/LA, and William Krisel, AIA, at the book Questions: Call 800.9SAHSCC. signing for William Krisel’s Palm Springs: The Language of Modernism (Gibbs Smith, 2016). Photo: Darren Bradley SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER NEWS September/October 2017 2 Soriano: Romantic Technologist SAH/SCC Members SAH/SCC Salon, Long Beach Life Members Sunday, October 15, 2017, 11:30AM-1:30PM GRANT BARNES KYLE C. BARNES SAH/SCC Life Members and Patrons are invited MATT BERKLEY KATHLEEN BIXLER to a special afternoon exploring the 1940 JOHN BLANTON, AIA Kimpson/Nixon Residence by Raphael Soriano, MARY DUTTON BOEHM MARIE BOTNICK FAIA, in Long Beach. The program will include a BILL BOWLING RUTH BOWMAN discussion about the history and architecture of KEN BREISCH & JUDY KELLER the residence by owner/architect, Alan Pullman, CHARLOTTE ROSE BRYANT BONNIE BURTON AIA, founder of Studio One Eleven, and his wife PAMELA BURTON, FASLA Stephanie Pullman. DENIS CAGNA & CARLOS MEDINA JOHN & RHONDA CANO “The Kimpson/Nixon Residence is regarded WENDY CARSON as one of Soriano’s purest achievements in EDWARD CELLA ROBERT JAY CHATTEL, AIA International Style residential architecture,” NEIL CLEMMONS & LAURITA GUAICO HARRISON TRACY CONRAD explains SAH/SCC Board Member and event ELIZABETH COURTIER organizer, Mark Piaia, AIA. Located in what is now BILL DAMASCHKE & JOHN McILWEE PATRICK TIMOTHY DAY the prestigious neighborhood of Alamitos Heights, CROSBY DE CARTERET DOE & LINDA SOLLIMA DOE the home is noted for its dramatic geometric form, HEINZ E. ELLERSIECK Photo: Kimberly Bahnsen McCarron J. RICHARD FARE, AIA, CCS, CSI which was created to fill the interior with natural CAROL FENELON light through a horizontal band of windows that DONALD R. FERGUSON own home, Shulman picked Soriano. During the RON FIELDS, ASID runs the length of the structure. SAH/SCC “Modern Patrons” event at his home, GILBERT & SUKEY GARCETTI DR. & MRS. KENNETH GEIGER Soriano directly oversaw the building of the Shulman explained: “If you hire Neutra, you get a ROBERT GELINAS home, which he designed for indoor-outdoor living Neutra house; if you go with Schindler, you don’t MICHAEL J. GIBSON LAMBERT GIESSINGER in the Southern California climate. He reportedly know what you’ll get; if you hire Soriano, you get GORDON GILLIAM designed the house during a six-month hospital your house.” LISA GIMMY, ASLA, & CLAUS BEST, AIA RAYMOND GIRVIGIAN, FAIA stay after a car accident; this may have helped Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a STEVE GLENN inspire him to create a house with first-floor PROF. PAUL GLEYE wonderfully intact and a truly remarkable example GEORGE GORSE lagoon view and a second floor with a sightline of Soriano’s International Style residential designs. HERB & ELLEN GROELINGER stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean. ANDY & LISA HACKMAN PEYTON HALL, FAIA The Rhodes-born Soriano (1904-1988) Soriano Salon—Sunday, October 15, 2017; 11:30AM- BRUCE & BETH HALLETT STEPHEN HARBY is best known as an architect featured in the 1:30PM; Long Beach; $25 for SAH/SCC Life and ELIZABETH HARRIS Case Study House Program of Arts + Architecture Patron Members; space is limited; tickets will be made EUGENE & SHIRLEY HOGGATT JAMES HORECKA magazine.