Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles City Hall
Built in 1928, this 32-story Art Deco masterpiece served as the tallest building in Los Angeles for over 40 years. The tower features distinctive zigzag ornamentation and limestone cladding typical of the era. Its central tower rises 454 feet and houses the offices of the Mayor and City Council.
Phone: (213) 978-1000
Official SiteBradbury Building
Completed in 1893, this architectural marvel features a stunning five-story central court with ornate ironwork, marble stairs, and a skylight ceiling. The building represents one of the finest examples of Romanesque Revival architecture in Los Angeles. Its intricate brickwork and terra cotta details showcase exceptional 19th-century craftsmanship.
Phone: (213) 626-1893
LA Conservancy InfoUnion Station
Opened in 1939 as the last of America's great train stations, Union Station combines Mission Revival and Art Deco architectural styles. The main waiting room features 52-foot-high ceilings, marble floors, and hand-painted tiles. This transportation hub represents a pinnacle of mid-century civic architecture and remains a functioning railway terminal.
Phone: (213) 683-6875
Official SiteGriffith Observatory
Built in 1935 with Art Deco styling, this public observatory showcases outstanding examples of Depression-era public works architecture. The building features copper domes, concrete construction, and geometric ornamentation typical of the period. Its position on Mount Hollywood provides both astronomical functionality and serves as a civic landmark visible throughout the city.
Phone: (213) 473-0800
Official SiteCentral Library
Completed in 1926, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece features Egyptian Revival and Byzantine influences with intricate tile work and carved stone details. The building's pyramid-shaped tower and colorful ceramic tile murals represent exceptional examples of 1920s decorative arts. Major restoration work in the 1990s preserved its historic architectural integrity while modernizing systems.
Phone: (213) 228-7000
Official SiteWalt Disney Concert Hall
Designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 2003, this contemporary architectural landmark features curved stainless steel panels and innovative acoustic design. The building's deconstructivist style represents a significant departure from traditional concert hall architecture. Its complex geometric forms and metallic surfaces demonstrate advanced construction techniques in steel fabrication and installation.
Phone: (323) 850-2000
Official SiteCathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Completed in 2002, this modernist cathedral designed by Rafael Moneo features innovative use of concrete, limestone, and alabaster. The building's minimalist exterior contrasts with its warm interior spaces illuminated by natural light filtering through alabaster windows. Its seismic-resistant design incorporates base isolation technology, making it one of the safest buildings in Los Angeles.
Phone: (213) 680-5200
Official SiteEastern Columbia Building
Built in 1930, this 13-story Art Deco tower features distinctive turquoise terra cotta exterior cladding and elaborate decorative details. The building exemplifies the Zigzag Moderne style with its vertical emphasis and geometric ornamentation. Recent restoration efforts have preserved its original architectural character while adapting it for residential use.
Phone: (213) 623-3233
LA Conservancy InfoLos Angeles Theatre
Opened in 1931, this opulent movie palace represents the height of baroque theatrical architecture with its elaborate plasterwork and crystal chandeliers. The interior features hand-painted murals, gold leaf detailing, and intricate moldings that demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship of the period. Its French Baroque Revival style makes it one of the most ornate theaters on Broadway.
Phone: (213) 629-2939
Official SiteHollyhock House
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1921, this residence represents his first Los Angeles commission and showcases his adaptation of Prairie School principles to Southern California's climate. The house features geometric concrete block construction, integrated gardens, and decorative motifs based on the hollyhock flower. It demonstrates Wright's innovative approach to residential architecture and site integration.
Phone: (323) 913-4030
Official SiteWatts Towers
Built between 1921 and 1954 by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia, these folk art sculptures consist of 17 interconnected structures made from steel rebar, wire mesh, and decorated with found objects. The towers represent an extraordinary example of vernacular architecture and demonstrate innovative construction techniques using recycled materials. They stand as both artistic achievement and structural engineering marvel.
Phone: (213) 847-4646
Official SiteGamble House
Completed in 1909 by Greene and Greene, this Craftsman-style mansion exemplifies the American Arts and Crafts movement with its extensive use of wood joinery and integrated decorative elements. The house features hand-carved teak details, art glass windows, and custom-designed furniture that demonstrate exceptional attention to craftsmanship. Its influence on residential architecture in California was profound and lasting.
Phone: (626) 793-3334
Official SiteWayfarers Chapel
Designed by Lloyd Wright in 1951, this glass chapel demonstrates modernist religious architecture integrated with natural surroundings. The structure features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, redwood framing, and stone foundations that create a seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces. Its innovative use of transparency and natural materials influenced subsequent ecclesiastical design.
Phone: (310) 377-1650
Official SiteStahl House (Case Study House #22)
Built in 1960 by Pierre Koenig, this modernist residence exemplifies post-war California architecture with its steel frame construction and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The house demonstrates innovative use of industrial materials in residential construction and optimal site orientation for views and natural light. Its cantilevered design and minimal structural elements represent the height of mid-century modern engineering.
Phone: (323) 644-3862
Official SiteEnnis House
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1924, this Mayan Revival mansion features innovative textile block construction using cast concrete blocks with geometric patterns. The house demonstrates Wright's experimentation with precast concrete systems and his interpretation of pre-Columbian architectural motifs. Its monumental scale and integration with the hillside site exemplify Wright's organic architecture principles.
Phone: (323) 668-0234
Official SiteTheme Building at LAX
Completed in 1961, this futuristic structure exemplifies Googie architecture with its space-age design featuring four arched legs supporting a central flying saucer-like structure. The building represents the optimistic vision of the jet age and demonstrates innovative use of concrete and steel in expressing movement and flight. Its distinctive silhouette has become an iconic symbol of Los Angeles International Airport.
Phone: (310) 646-5252
Official SiteSchindler House
Built in 1922 by Rudolph Schindler, this experimental residence introduced modernist principles to Los Angeles residential architecture through its innovative use of concrete, wood, and glass. The house features an open floor plan, movable walls, and integration with outdoor living spaces that influenced subsequent California modernism. Its construction techniques and spatial concepts were revolutionary for American domestic architecture.
Phone: (323) 651-1510
Official SiteSunset Tower Hotel
Completed in 1931, this 15-story Art Deco tower represents one of the finest examples of Zigzag Moderne architecture on the Sunset Strip. The building features distinctive setbacks, geometric ornamentation, and innovative use of reinforced concrete construction techniques. Its streamlined design and vertical emphasis exemplify the architectural optimism of the early 1930s.
Phone: (323) 654-7100
Official SitePetersen Automotive Museum
Originally built as a department store in 1962 and redesigned in 2015, the museum's distinctive red facade features flowing ribbon-like stainless steel panels that demonstrate contemporary architectural fabrication techniques. The building's transformation showcases adaptive reuse principles while creating a striking landmark through innovative exterior cladding systems. Its structural engineering accommodates both display requirements and seismic considerations.
Phone: (323) 930-2277
Official SiteMuseum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Designed by Arata Isozaki and completed in 1986, this postmodern building features geometric forms clad in red sandstone with distinctive barrel-vaulted skylights. The museum's architecture demonstrates innovative approaches to natural lighting in gallery spaces through its clerestory windows and light wells. Its minimalist exterior contrasts with complex interior spatial relationships designed for optimal art display.
Phone: (213) 626-6222
Official Site