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W R i T T E n b y: PA M E l A C O R A n T E - h A n s E n
12.16.2011 | SouTHBaydiGS.com 41
in a swath of Southern california communities defined primarily by the choice strip of beach that hugs the coastline, the South Bay has struggled with its architectural identity, as many local preservationists can attest. Storms, fires and urban renewal obliterated early redondo Beach landmarks; a post-war building boom all over Southern california left its mark on South Bay cities with the construction of a few gems and countless utilitarian homes built for a blue-collar demographic. in recent years, landmark homes have been destroyed to be replaced by contemporary renditions of classic architectural themes: Tuscan, mediterranean, cape cod. But a new era of architectural awareness has arrived, as evidenced by the recent upper pier avenue face lift in Hermosa Beach and a surge in custom-built South Bay homes that are gracing the pages of national shelter magazines. for the first time since many local architects, builders and residents can remember, the South Bay is carving out its own unique architectural aesthetic. a renewed appreciation for world-class design and construction has resulted in more visually arresting commercial and residential architecture in the beach cities and surrounding neighborhoods.
3421 manhattan avenue in manhattan Beach. Built by mGm Studios in 1936, one of the homes most famous occupants was screen idol errol flynn. a noteworthy component of the South Bays architectural reinvention is the revival of styles other than the ubiquitous mediterranean look, with careful attention to period details and superior craftsmanship. a wider range of styles is being tapped, from craftsman to caribbean (see Sweet digs article in this issue). architect miles pritzkat of pritzkat & Johnson architects in redondo Beach recalls an original craftsman home in redondo Beach that was demolished 12 years ago. a year or two later, homes were popping up with shingles and traditional craftsman styling. These things cycle back its like the design trumps all, eventually.
some aRchITecTs do moRe conTempoRaRy pRoJecTs, oTheRs Focus moRe on TRadITIonaL desIGn. BuT ITs LIke sayInG, Whats the best music classical, jazz or hip-hop? If its thought through, quality design is timeless.
- architect miles pritzkat of pritzkat & Johnson architects
morris of matt morris development in manhattan Beach. The high cost per square foot in the South Bay drives the need to be creative in terms of what we can do with that space. Which calls to mind the other m-word, mansionization. its a topic that remains hotly debated; in todays architectural renaissance, bigger can indeed be better, if done right. The new architectural landscape employs tasteful design and balanced proportions to create beauty on a large scale, as in the triple-lot, single-family residence at 212 The Strand in manhattan Beach. While the home was the center of much discussion, the end result is arguably well-executed. But successful architectural design also is occurring on a smaller scale. a more recent phenomenon were seeing is a second or third wave of refinement in the neighborhoods that originally were built post-World War ii, said pritzkat. part of the reason this works is that people are getting the sense that if you have your little spot of South Bay and you polish it and make it wonderful, its a great place to live. The lots here are small, so youre starting to see a density of design on generally smaller pieces of property. making the most out of a small lot today means maximizing the use of outdoor space. more homes are being built with roomy outdoor living rooms boasting fire pits, built-in outdoor cooking ranges, and ample square footage to accommodate furniture. Terraces on upper floors extend living space in bedrooms and sitting areas, taking full advantage of the South Bays mild climate.
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SouTHBaydiGS.com | 12.16.2011
Less is more!
~ Ludwig van der Rohe
aLL aRchITecTuRe Is sheLTeR, aLL GReaT aRchITecTuRe Is The desIGn of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.
~ philip Johnson