What better epitomizes the visionary futuristic-utopia of the 20th century than the Jetsons? Created in 1962 the prime-time animated sitcom took place in 2062… looking 100 years into the future. Besides the futuristic gadgets and gizmos-surely ahead of their time-the architectural influence is clearly that of Googie design. Including “upswept roofs, curvaceous, geometric shapes, and bold use of glass, steel and neon, Googie was also characterized by space-age designs that depict motion, such as boomerangs, flying saucers, atoms and parabolas, and free-form designs such as ‘soft’ parallelograms and the ubiquitous artist’s-palette motif.” (Source)
Two prominent Googie designs clearly inspired the architectural structure used in the Jetsons series. Saarinen’s TWA terminal and the Seattle Space Needle. Worth noting is that both structures opened in 1962, the same year the Jetsons originally aired. In one of the 24 episodes, “A Date with Jet Screamer”, Judy Jetson is taken on her date with Jet Screamer to The Fun Pad, a space-age amusement park with Ferris Wheels, roller-coasters, and spinning rides. Coincidentally, Astro Land on Coney Island opened in 1962. It’s really quite rare and interesting that these architectural structures and their timelines, being so technically and aesthetically advanced for there time, would be simultaneously depicted in a prime-time animated sitcom—truly visionary.
By Amy Thyr
April 14th, 2011
The origins of “Googie” design can be traced back to the actual coffee shop designed by architect John Lautner and by the works of his contemporaries. Appearing first in commercial buildings and used primarily in designing restaurants, coffee shops, motels, gas stations and bowling alleys, as well as schools, churches, shopping centers and airline terminals, this style of design was directed at the masses for commercial purposes. In Los Angeles, where Googie began, the 1930’s brought a large influx of the automobile and service industries. So the design aspects of Googie were heavily influenced by America’s new car culture.
Owning a car meant freedom for the old idea of a central “downtown” and the sprawling suburbs of L.A. grew in every direction. By the 1950’s everyone owned at least one car and fast food drive-ins were appearing in neighborhoods and on roadsides everywhere. Bold, dynamic architecture was used to attract customers whizzing by on roads and highways—to catch their eye—beckoning them off the street. Drive-ins (diners, movie theaters, gas stations) had advanced this car-oriented architectural design. They were essentially architectural billboards advertising the business to vehicles on the road. By using distinct styling, high energy silhouettes, large pylons with elevated signs, bold neon letters and circular parking lots the architecture worked to make the most of strip malls and other roadside location while allowing customers easy access from their cars.
By Amy Thyr
November 24th, 2010
Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more
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The recent exhibit of Deborah Aschheim’s drawings and architectural installations at Edward Cella A+A focused attention to the iconic modernist landmarks of Southern California that once represented the future. Aschheim’s works documented these structures, once the symbols of Southern California’s utopian dreams, which are now forlorn, crumbling commercial towers, buildings, and centers. Treated for the most part as “unacclaimed” monuments of a distant era, Ascheim described the buildings as a “visual gulf between then and now.”
“When I was growing up, the future was a limitless possibility, jet-aged, space-aged, techno-utopia. ‘Modern’ meant new. Now, modern means old, and the future I grew up with seems dated, irresponsible, and obsolete,” claimed Aschheim.
Aschheim made several visits to each site, and she created her unique works over time. Aschheim explained, “I have been urgently seeking out the buildings, flying and driving and taking trains to them before they are erased. I don’t want to go inside the buildings. I circle them, trying to understand them before they are removed or renovated into the present. It is a strange way to feel about architecture. I am drawing them and building them, somewhat inaccurately and not to scale, entombed in imaginary scaffolding. I am the same age as the buildings. It is a kind of self-portrait.”
By Amy Thyr
November 3rd, 2010
The Brick House have visited a couple who have done a fantastic job of redecorating and restoring their home back to its original style and feel. Located in the high desert of Southern California, they invites us to a house tour.
Jill and T.K. have been DIYing the crap out of their mid century pad for the past six years and while it’s still a work in progress (isn’t everything, always) this place takes getting crafty on a budget to a whole other level. I must say that I was floored by the care and craftsmanship (and maybe a little ashamed of our own little Brick House’s amateur status) that went into the many, many, MANY handmade touches throughout their home. Luckily for Jill, T.K. is good with his hands and spends his days fabricating a whole gamut of items ranging from cutting boards to credenzas to entire kitchens.
(Via)
By Chris
July 14th, 2010
The JFK Trans World Airlines (TWA) terminal was designed by the great Eero Saarinen. Built in a very modernist and expressionistic style it was finished in 1962 and set the standard for how modern jet travel was perceived back in its glory days. The Museum of the City of New York had a exhibition about Mr. Saarinens works back in November and December 2009, which I was not aware of. Maybe someone reading this experienced it though? How was it? Do tell. (Via)
By Chris
January 27th, 2010
Wednesday inspiration. The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22 was finished in 1959 and is most likely the most famous house from the CSH program with help from famed photographer Julius Schulman. (Via)
By Chris
November 25th, 2009
This lovely modernism designed home was built in the 1960s by architect Whitney Smith who was made famous through the Case Study Homes program in post WWII California. The house is located in Alhambra in the US and like many other Mid Century homes it was built in the typical ‘glass box’ theme with high ceilings and positioned conveniently on a hilltop, creating a spectacular view from the living room. More after the jump. (Via)
By Chris
September 8th, 2009
