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Architectural Transitions: Arroyo Seco Branch Library

The original Arroyo Seco Branch Library in Highland Park was built in 1913 with funding from the Carnegie Institute, it was designed by local Garvanza area architect Frederick M. Ashley.

Note the classical architectural style with ionic columns.

This building was demolished in 1959, and replaced in 1960 with a "State of the Art" modern building designed by architect John J. Langdon.

The original design of this mid-century building provided rooftop parking. However the constant movement of cars on the roof soon resulted in roof leaks, and that feature was eventually abandoned.

In 2004, the mid-century building was demolished, and replaced with a larger library designed by the firm of M2A. The new building echos the area's predominant turn-of-the-20th-century Mission and Craftsman style structures.

A large wall mural painted by the artist, Luis Becerra, was preserved and relocated from the original building to a prominent location directly opposite the rear entrance.

Posted by Cheryl Johnson on 09/01/2008 04:21 PM

Comments (6)

Originally posted at: Random thoughts on art, technology, stuff, and occasionally Real Estate: Architectural Transitions: Arroyo Seco Branch Library

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6 Comments on Architectural Transitions: Arroyo Seco Branch Library

SEP

2008

We have seen quite a change in our area in the Library's look going back to a more traditional style.

Cheryl - this would be a great post to add to the Buildings Architecture and Dings group. It's a shame how some beautiful buildings were replaced by straight lines - the Craftsman building is much preferable over the middle building. Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl, the one in the middle is an eye sore and am glad at the huge improvement. I am still not sure what you think of the mural.I think it works for some reason.

Cher, I love the original building and am sorry they tore it down for the second photograph. The third is definitely an improvement, but the first has so much character to it. Very classical bit of eye candy. :-)

SEP

2008

@Lloyd - I like the mural! We have a lot of murals and street art here in Northeast L A, if you dig back through my posts, you'll find a few samples.

@Carolyn - There are very few examples of classical architecture remaining around here. There was a period in history when classical architecture became associated with greedy and power hungry industrialists and bankers -- think of the archetypal images from the 1930s -- and it fell out of favor -- both philosophically, and from a building-expense standpoint.

The Arts & Crafts movement, so popular on the West Coast, and Modernism, were both rebellions against the strict classical structure.

Now, many decades later, we can look at a classical building, and say, "that is beautiful". More to follow on this, since I think it is an interesting topic.....

Cheryl, I love the old architecture and wish they could have preserved it. And your wall murals that you have there are also very special and glad they are so careful with them.

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