The legacy of Los Angeles that fell in the fire

More than a week after the devastating fire began in Los Angeles, the loss of the region’s rich artistic heritage has become clearer. The fire has already destroyed the built heritage in the province more than any other single event, according to Adrian Scott Fine, president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Conservancy, which documented the loss of structures. -more than 30 items on their website. That number grows by the hour as officials, homeowners and others enter the disaster area to assess the damage.

The diversity of destruction reveals, in a tragic way, the diversity of architecture in the region, including Modernist, Beaux-Arts, Spanish Revival, Craftsman, Art Deco, Victorian, modern and contemporary buildings.

“That’s what makes the Palisades and Altadena so special,” Fine said. “They are a hodgepodge. This is what makes them interesting and strange, and why people love them. “

The fire was as unexpected as it was brutal. Renowned architect Ray Kappe’s 539 W Rustic Road, in Rustic Canyon, burned to the ground, while his Keeler home, like a log cabin, about 10 minutes away, was destroyed. Arguably the region’s most famous modernist home, the Charles and Ray Eames home and studio – designed in 1949 for Arts & Architecture magazine’s Case Study House program – was saved. Although the branches fell, and the large glass windows were engulfed in flames, the building was unscathed.

“We’re very lucky,” said Lucia Dewey Atwood, executive director of the Eames Foundation and granddaughter of the Eameses.

“The main reason for this month’s fire was that most of the demolition was done and done,” said Ken Bernstein, director of the city’s Office of Historic Resources. Some major losses, such as the historic Will Rogers Ranch House, occurred last week. Here are 10 other favorite landmarks that were destroyed by fire.

Benedict and Nancy Freedman House by Richard Neutra, 1949, Pacific Palisades

For a young couple, both writers, the Austrian-born architect Richard Neutra – one of the region’s most famous designers of 20th-century Modernist architecture – designed a sanctuary along the bluffs of Pacific Palisades. In typical Southern California fashion, Neutra broke down the boundaries between interior and exterior and introduced a flowing, open design that enabled a new kind of casual living. For Neutra, the home’s ability to connect people to nature — what he calls the “joyful dance of bonding” — is key. “You can see the inside of the house,” said his son Raymond, who remembers the house he built when he was a child. “It’s a small house, but opening it up that way made the usable space bigger.” The house was renovated in 2014 by architect Peter Grueneisen, who added part of the second story, opening a clear view of the sea.

Altadena is a long-established place, losing its popularity in the mid-century. Designed by architect Gregory Ain and architect Garrett Eckbo, Park Planned Homes was one of the first modern housing developments in the United States. Its 28 apartments are arranged in two long, sloping rows, and each apartment opens onto a private courtyard. The finished house is designed to connect working families with nature and their neighbors. Laura Begley, who just moved here in December with her fiancé, said she was amazed by the cluster’s sense of calm and connectedness. “It was really beautiful and peaceful,” Begley said, adding, “We immediately felt like we had a really great community to join.” All six buildings were destroyed.

Other mid-century landmarks lost in Altadena’s Eaton fire include the Asia-inspired Lowe House, by modern pioneer Harwell Hamilton Harris, and the Straub House, home of renowned architect Calvin Straub.

House 708 by Eric Owen Moss, 1982, Pacific Palisades

This 600-square-meter home showcased the subtle creativity of architect Eric Owen Moss’s original work, featuring unexpected angles, soaring fences and quirky references to the past. The building’s most visible feature is its brightly colored facade, with the street address, 7-0-8, emblazoned on three walls facing the street. Moss calls the 708 the “strange” of his entire portfolio, its various pieces “a kind of illiterate search for language.”

Scripps Hall, later the K-8 campus of the Pasadena Waldorf School, is a stunning example of the area’s heritage of Craftsman architecture, characterized by natural materials, details handmade and the close relationship with the world. Samuel Glaze, who has taught at the school since 1992, notes the Japanese-influenced pagoda-like roof and Asian-inspired decor (which has been modified). Built in 1904 by famed Pasadena architect Charles W. Buchanan, it was the home of members of the Scripps newspaper family and later, the Kellogg family, owners of the Kellogg’s brand. cereals. The five-acre lot was on Mariposa Avenue, known in the early 20th century as “Millionaire’s Row.” (Other buildings on the street that were destroyed by fire included the estate of author Zane Gray and the Andrew McNally House.) In 1986, Scripps Hall was purchased by the Pasadena Waldorf School, which was under threat. the destruction. “It was a great place to work,” Glaze said. “I’ve always loved going up the grand staircase.”

Nature Friends Clubhouse, Sierra Madre Canyon, 1924

This chalet-style building, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary, has already brought a sense of the Austrian Alps to the San Gabriel Valley. Hosting local theater groups, yoga retreats, artists and other free spirits, it is home to the local branch of Nature Friends – a group founded in Vienna in 1895 to provide a place to enjoy and to study nature. Leaning wood structures, built by Austrian and German immigrants, were created on each floor — each added as the group had more money, said Zak Clark, director of Nature Friends LA. The odd details have been added over generations, he added. “Thousands have been touched by this amazing place over the years,” said Clark, who noted that many have already pledged their services to help with the recovery. “It’s going to have to be built with something more durable,” he said.

This rustic two-story home, decorated in wood and stone, is named for Altadena promoter William D. Davies. It was built by the Works Progress Administration, which put millions to work during the Great Depression. Ansley Davies, associate director of the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, remembers this hunting lodge as a “community hub” that hosted summer concerts, camps and cousins’ weddings. “It was very beautiful,” he said. “Some kind of magic.”

Altadena Community Church, Harry L. Pierce, 1947, Altadena

The Spanish Colonial Revival church, built in 1947, was designed by Los Angeles architect Harry L. Pierce, who created a variety of wake system in the area. Judson Studios, a historic artisan glass company in Los Angeles, made the stained glass window, highlighted by a multi-colored rose window depicting Jesus holding a torch. “Even so, these thrifty congregations put money into those Judson Studios windows,” said Rev. Paul. Tellström, his pastor, who called Judson “The Tiffany of the West.” He added: “I feel like it’s a very spiritual place for a lot of people.

Pacific Palisades Business Block by Clinton Nourse, 1924

The two-story Business Block was the centerpiece of the original development plan for Pacific Palisades by John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of visionary Frederick Law Olmsted (co-creator of Central Park) . This building, painted pink for a time, is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture by Clinton Nourse, for the Santa Monica Land & Water Company, which financed the development of the Pacific Palisades. It was reminiscent of an open-air market with shopping, dining and pedestrian access. “The Nourse building is the historic anchor of the Palisades,” said Bernstein of the Office of Historic Resources.

21640 Pacific Coast Highway by Buff and Hensman, 1969, Malibu

Designed by Conrad Buff and Donald Hensman, designers of modern residences for the rich and famous in Los Angeles, this house on La Costa Beach in Malibu is a little unusual – a very high-end version of Malibu Beach cottage. Wrapped in laminated cedar, it connects to the pool and tropical garden through its expansive design and larger windows. But the star of the show here is the view of the Pacific.

Corpus Christi Church by AC Martin, 1965, Pacific Palisades

The Los Angeles firm AC Martin designed much of modern Los Angeles, including landmarks such as City Hall, and the May Company Building (now home to the Academy Museum.) The Corpus Christi Churchdesign, expressive modernism, was inspired by classical forms. The unique parabolic shape of the building is meant to reflect the modern era and connect the congregation.

Matt Stevens contributed reporting from Los Angeles.