LAC Venice Eclectic Tour

Former Eames Office - Continuum

On Saturday afternoon I met Larry in Venice for L.A. Conservancy's "Venice Eclectic, Modern Architecture from the '70s and '80s" tour.  It was a beautiful day, sunny and breezy, perfect for a walking tour.  Larry took most of the photos for the brochure.  Take a look, here. 

After a quick lunch at Local 1205, Larry took off to take photos of the various docents and I toured the former offices of legendary designers, Charles and Ray Eames.  This building was built around 1912 as a warehouse.  Many companies have occupied this space, including today's Continuum.  The architect, Frank Israel was hired in 1990 to modify the space to include conference rooms and offices.  This was one of my favorite spaces of the day, showing adaptive reuse quite effectively.

Interior, Continuum

I walked around the corner to Indiana Avenue to see the the Triplex, 3 studios developed by artists Laddie Dill and Chuck Arnoldi with architect Frank Gehry.  Rough hewn plywood and easy-to-obtain elements like corrugated steel and shingle roofing material were used in these buildings.  Interesting, but I couldn't live there.

Interior, Indiana Avenue Houses/Arnoldi Triplex

Next door to the Triplex is the former home of Dennis Hopper, designed by architect Brian A. Murphy in 1989.  I've driven by Hopper's house in the past.  It's like a corrugated steel bunker with a white picket fence.  Inside, there's LOTS of wall space for Hopper's extensive art collection.  Like the Triplex next door, this is also a crazy floor plan with lots of stairs, bridges, skylights, glass floors/ceilings, etc.  Hopper bought the lot next door to his to expand his outdoor living area.  He kept the two little 1910 bungalows on the property as guest houses and added a lap pool.

Dennis Hopper's Home

 

Dennis Hopper's lap pool and side yard

Down the block, on Hampton  Drive is the original Tasty Spuds potato processing plant, probably built around 1959.  Artist Chuck Arnoldi transformed the building into his studio space in 1984.  I do like how Arnoldi re-configured a huge space into different areas for painting, print-making, display and offices. 

Chuck Arnoldi's Studio Space

 

Arnoldi Studios

After walking around the Abbot-Kinney area for a bit, I hopped in my car and drove north-east to Ed Moses' home and studio on Palms Blvd. near Penmar Ave.  This compound of buildings has a very rustic, woodsy feel to it, designed by architect Steve Ehrlich in 1987.  

 

Ed Moses' Bungalow

This space is very tropical in feel with many plants surrounding each building.  The inside gallery and work spaces are simple and clean with lots of light.

Ed Moses' Outdoor Studio

 

Ed Moses' Gallery Space

I urge you to join the L.A. Conservancy and take advantage of their many programs and tours throughout the year!  You can view more of my Venice Eclectic Tour photos here.