16.8: Case Study - A Brief History of California Housing Arcitecture

As mentioned earlier in the text, the urban landscapes in California are the direct result of the state's rich history and diverse population. There are several other factors that influence housing architecture, including climate, population density and budget. For example, homes in hot climates will often be designed with flatter roofs to reflect more solar radiation to keep the home cooler, while homes in cold climates will often have pitched or triangular roofs to prevent snow buildup. Human factors can also influence housing architecture, as different cultures have different ideas about what constitutes a comfortable and functional home, whether it be large one-story home with a large backyard, or stacked townhomes. Nonetheless, it is evident that California has the most diverse offerings of architectural design and has become the inspiration for the world.

1890s California Victorian

The California Victorian style is a unique architectural style that was developed in California during the late 19^th century. It was influenced by several different architectural styles, including the Gothic Revival, the Italianate, and the Eastlake. The style was also influenced by the state's mild climate and its diverse population.

This style was first popularized in San Francisco in the 1850s. The city's rapid growth during the Gold Rush led to a demand for new homes, and the California Victorian style was seen to create homes that were both stylish and comfortable. The California Victorian style soon spread to other parts of California, and it became one of the most popular architectural styles in the state. By the early 20th century, there were thousands of California Victorian homes throughout the state, such as in Pasadena and atop Bunker Hill of Downtown Los Angeles.

Figure 16.12: The Historic Queen Anne Victorian Home, Arcadia California.[1]

1905 California Craftsman - The Bungalow

The American Craftsman is an American domestic architectural style, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, which included interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts, beginning in the last years of the 19^th century. Its immediate ancestors in American architecture are the Shingle style, which began the move away from Victorian ornamentation toward simpler forms, and the Prairie style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The name Craftsman was appropriated from furniture-maker Gustav Stickley, whose magazine The Craftsman was first published in 1901. The architectural style was most widely used in small-to-medium-sized Southern California single-family homes from about 1905, so that the smaller-scale Craftsman style became known alternatively as "California bungalow". The style remained popular into the 1930s and has continued with revival and restoration projects through present times. It is characterized by its use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, and its simple, functional design. California Craftsman buildings are often found in residential neighborhoods, and they often feature front porches, gabled roofs, and exposed beams.

Figure 16.13: A California Bungalow, Circa 1919.[2]

1920s Art Deco

Art Deco was a popular architectural style in Los Angeles during the 1920s and 1930s. It was characterized by its geometric shapes, stylized ornamentation, and use of bright colors. The movement in Los Angeles was influenced by several factors, including the city's climate, its growing population, and its status as a center of commerce and entertainment. The mild climate of Los Angeles made it possible to build buildings with large glass windows and open floor plans, which were two of the hallmarks of Art Deco architecture. The city's growing population also created a demand for new buildings, and Art Deco was seen as a stylish and modern style that could meet the needs of a growing city.

Los Angeles was also a center of commerce and entertainment during the 1920s and 1930s, and Art Deco was seen to showcase the city's glamour and sophistication. Many of the city's most iconic Art Deco buildings were built during this time, including the Los Angeles Theater, and the Eastern Columbia Building.

Art Deco architecture in Los Angeles declined in popularity after World War II, but it has seen a resurgence in recent years. Many of the city's Art Deco buildings have been restored or renovated, and they are now recognized as important examples of the Art Deco movement.

Figure 16.14: The Eastern Building in Downtown Los Angeles. [3]

1930s Mission Revival

In the United States, the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 in San Diego, highlighting the work of architect Bertram Goodhue, is credited with giving the style national exposure. Embraced principally in California and Florida, the Spanish Colonial Revival movement enjoyed its greatest popularity between 1915 and 1931. Although examples are found throughout the state, some of the more iconic locations include the Mission Inn in Riverside, The Pasadena City Hall, and the Casa del Desierto train depot in Barstow. The Casa del Desierto, as seen blow in figure 16.15, note the Moorish Spanish arches and terracotta tiled roof. The city of Santa Barbara adopted the style to give it a unified Spanish character after widespread destruction in the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake- which is why this architectural design is often referred to as the Santa Barbara Style.

Figure 16.15: The Casa del Desierto Harvey House, in Barstow California.[4]

1950s Modernism

California has had a significant influence on modernism and Mid-Century Modern architecture. The state's mild climate, its open spaces, and its diverse population all contributed to the development of this unique style. As seen earlier in the text with the Theme Building, this modern Googie architecture was a futuristic design that originated in California in the 1930s but became more prominent in the mid 1950s with its use of glass, steel, neon and geometric shapes and patterns.

California's mild climate allowed architects to experiment with new materials and designs. For example, they could use large glass windows and open floor plans, which were not possible in colder climates. This made California a hotbed of innovation, and many of the most iconic Mid-Century Modern buildings were built in the state.

Architects were inspired by the state's natural beauty, and they often incorporated elements of nature into their designs. For example, they might use sloping roofs that resemble hills or patios that overlook the ocean. This made Mid-Century Modern architecture feel more relaxed and informal than other styles of modernism.

Bright colors or geometric patterns that were inspired by Mexican or Asian art were often used in the design, which made Mid-Century Modern architecture feel more eclectic and interesting than other styles of modernism. Modernist buildings can be found throughout California, but they are especially common in Palm Springs, where the style was popularized by architects such as Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler.

Figure 16.16: The Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs, California.[5]

1950s California Cinderella Style

California Cinderella style homes are a type of mid-century modern architecture that combines the clean lines and simple forms of modernism with the whimsical details of storybook architecture. They were first popularized in the 1950s by homebuilder Jean Vandruff, who built a community of these homes in Downey, California, just a few miles from Disneyland.

These homes are characterized by their use of wood and stucco, their simple lines, and their whimsical details. These details can include turrets, pointed roofs, gingerbread trimming, and arched doorways. The homes often have a fairy tale or storybook feel, and they are often decorated with flowers, vines, and other plants.

The Cinderella style homes were popular in California during the 1950s and 1960s, and they can still be found in many parts of the state. They are a unique and charming type of architecture that captures the spirit of the mid-century modern era.

Figure 16.17: Marketing for the Downey Cinderella Estates, California.[6]

1960s California Ranch Style

Also known as the Rambler or California Ranch, is a domestic architectural style that originated in the United States. The ranch-style house is noted for its long, close-to-the-ground profile, and wide-open layout. The style fused modernist ideas and styles with notions of the American Western period of wide-open spaces to create a very informal and casual living style. While the original ranch style was informal and basic in design, ranch-style houses built in the United States (particularly in the Sun Belt region) from around the early 1960s increasingly had more dramatic features such as varying roof lines, cathedral ceilings, sunken living rooms, and extensive landscaping and grounds.

Although first appearing as a residential style in the 1920s, the ranch was extremely popular with the booming post-war middle class of the 1940s to the 1970s. The style is often associated with tract housing built at this time, particularly in the southwest United States, which experienced a population explosion during this period, with a corresponding demand for housing. The style was soon exported to other nations and became popular worldwide. Its popularity waned in the late 20^th century as neo-eclectic house styles featuring historical and traditional decoration became more popular. A great example of this style of community would be along San Fernando Mission Blvd. in Northridge California.

Figure 16.18: A California Birdhouse Ranch Style Home.[7]

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[1] Image by Jengod is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

[2] Image by unknown author is in the public domain.

[3] Image by Andreas Praefcke is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

[4] Image by Jeremy Patrich is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

[5] Image by Pmeulbroek is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

[6] Image Vandruff Family Archives by is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

[7] Image by Jeremy Patrich is licensed under CC-BY 4.0.