Los Angeles International Airport - 1962

In the dome of this spectacular building is a unique restaurant and cocktail lounge with a commanding 360 degree view of the airport activities



If the futuristic architecture of the mid-20th century has a singular icon, it's the Theme Building at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport).



Construction of the Theme Building, part of the "Los Angeles Jet Age Terminal" project, began in April of 1960 and was completed in August of 1961. The building, with its flying saucer suspended on parabolic arches that soar 135 feet high, was dedicated in 1962. Long before the Los Angeles City Council designated the building a Cultural-Historical Monument in 1992, it had already become iconic of the future we were supposed to have.




According to the University of Southern California, architect William Pereira's brother, Hal, was art director of the 1954 film, "War of the Worlds". The Martian war machines would look very natural here.



From 1961 until 1996 an international cuisine restaurant called the "Theme Room" operated in the building; I've seen no photographs of its decor, but have read accounts which imply that it was nothing too out of the ordinary.

In 1996, the restaurant contract changed hands and Walt Disney Imagineering was hired to give the place a make-over. The result was, inside and out, a beautiful retro treatment which enhanced the already masterpiece-status googie building. On January 31, 1997, work was completed on the "Encounter Restaurant and Bar"; the future had been rediscovered, as it were.



L'article original:

http://www.thelope.com/2006/04/future-was-so-cool-in-1961.html

article original:

http://www.thelope.com/2006/04/future-was-so-cool-in-1961.html

photo d'époque