The word of the day is "Googie." From wikipedia:
Googie architecture is a form of modern architecture, a subdivision of futurist architecture influenced by car culture and the Space Age and the Atomic Age. Originating in Southern California during the late 1940s and continuing approximately into the mid-1960s, Googie-themed architecture was popular among motels, coffee houses and gas stations. The school later became widely known as part of the mid-century modern style, elements of which represent the populuxe aesthetic, as in Eero Saarinen's TWA Flight Center. The term "Googie" comes from a now defunct coffee shop and cafe built in West Hollywood.I had never heard of Googie til today, but it was just one of those things you love but never had the right word for it. Now I can say, I love Googie architecture. And I've got this article to thank for introducing me to the word.
Nice post. I have a few old posts about googie design that you might enjoy too.
ReplyDeleteAs a big MCM fan of architechture, I've been a longtime fan of Googie related themes. We still have lots of representation of the style here in Florida. That said, they are rapidly disapearing with gentrification of many areas. I'd love to see more of these signs saved and restored as well as some of the buildings...
ReplyDeleteJust in case you didn't know what you have pictured there is the Bel Air Motel in Wildwood Crest, NJ. All of the Wildwoods (the Crest, North Wildwood and Wildwood) still prominently feature this type of architecture. I grew up in the area and new it was Wildwood right away. This is a very old post, but I came across it and thought I'd let you know...
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