Modern architecture has its roots in San Pedro. 
Looking into the history of mid-century modern architecture, I am continuously finding that San Pedro is home to the beginnings of real architectural greats. In my last blog, I focused on Richard Neutra, one of the world’s most influential modern architects…but he wasn’t the only one!
From 1940 to 1942, two architects instrumental in mid-century modern design worked together for a San Pedro company called Allied Engineering, Inc. These architects, A. Quincy Jones and Frederick E. Emmons, would eventually forge a partnership that would go down in history books.
Jones, after returning from service in the Navy, was awarded the “Builder’s House of the Year” award from Architectural Forum magazine in 1950. The same year, the magazine awarded the “Subdivision of the Year” award to the famous builder, Joseph Eichler of Palo Alto. Soon after, Eichler invited Jones to become his partner, and the duo formed a partnership that lasted until Eichler’s death in 1974.
In 1951 with an overwhelming work load, Jones looked to his former colleague, Emmons to help out. Together, they began working on designs that would become the foundation for mid-20th century homes.
The focus: Simplicity, Functionality, Aesthetics and Affordability
Jones and Emmons created homes that represented the post-war American homeowners, integrated natural elements in urban developments (known as greenbelts), and created more spatial diversity in homes and buildings. Concepts that came from Jones and Emmons include Eichler's Steel House in San Mateo, coffered ceilings, and efficient utilization of space. Jones is noted especially for the introduction of a new style of tract house and coffered ceilings.
This collaborative worked on designs that are reflected in roughly 5,000 Eichler homes in their time together. Here are a few of the most noted works:
• 1938 Jones House and Studio, 8661 Nash, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
• 1947 Palm Springs Tennis Club Addition, with Paul R. Williams. Palm Springs, California
• 1948 o Pueblo Gardens housing development, for developer Del Webb, Tucson, Arizona
o Town & Country Restaurant, with Paul R. Williams. Palm Springs, California. (altered)
o Romanoff's on the Rocks, Palm Springs, California (altered)
o Nordlinger House, 11492 Thurston Circle, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California
• 1950 Hvistendahl House, San Diego
• 1952 House, Bienveneda and Marquette Streets, Pacific Palisades, California
• 1954 o Emmons House, 661 Brooktree, Pacific Palisades, California
o U.S. Gypsum Research Village House, Barrington, Illinois
• 1956 Eichler Steel House X-100, San Mateo, California
• 1957 Lido Sands Development, Lido Isle (Newport Beach), California (82 houses)
• 1959 Biological Sciences Building, University of California at Santa Barbara
• 1960 Faculty Center, University of Southern California Los Angeles, California
• 1964 o University Research Library, unit I, University of California at Los Angeles
o Joseph Eichler Housing Development, Thousand Oaks, California
o Long Beach Naval Station Family Housing, Long Beach, California
• 1965 University of California, Irvine (partnership with William Pereira)
• 1966 o Walter Annenberg Estate "Sunnylands," Rancho Mirage, California
o Carillon Tower, University of California, Riverside, California
o Eddie Chiles Residence, Fort Worth, Texas
• 1967 Chemistry Building, University of California, Riverside, California
• 1971 Research Library, unit II, University of California, Los Angeles, California
• 1975 Mandeville Center for the Arts, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California
• 1976 Annenberg School of Communication, unit I, University of Southern California, Los Angeles California
• 1979 Annenberg School of Communication, unit II, University of Southern California, Los Angeles California.
Though it will take more research to be certain, I would not be surprised to find some Jones/Emmons designs around San Pedro….
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