California Crazy. American Pop Architecture. 45Th Ed

Beskrivelse

California Crazy captures the quirky roadside architecture that emerged alongside the rise of the automobile in the 1920s. This book showcases the wild and imaginative buildings that once drew in travelers across Southern California and beyond.

A fascinating look at the eccentric structures that defined America's car culture and their lasting impact on architectural history.

As cars became a staple of American life, a new breed of entrepreneurs created eye-catching buildings designed to attract motorists looking for food, souvenirs, or a quick stop. These unique constructions, often dismissed by traditional architects as "monstrosities," thrived especially in the Sunbelt region, with Southern California leading the way.

Owners let their creativity run wild, designing buildings shaped like owls, dolls, pigs, ships, coffee pots, and fruit. Though originally overlooked by history, these architectural oddities have gained renewed appreciation over the last four decades.

This updated edition of California Crazy presents a rich collection of these extraordinary structures, alongside essays that delve into the cultural and environmental factors that nurtured this style. It highlights the distinctive roadside character of Los Angeles and Hollywood, where these buildings flourished in abundance.

Included is David Gebhard’s seminal essay, which first defined this vernacular architectural movement nearly forty years ago. The book also broadens the concept to explore unusual domestic architecture, quirky signage, and the automobile itself as a playful design element.

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