Architecture Week in Long Beach
From high rises to single family homes, with a few mysterious islands mixed in, the architecture of Long Beach is varied, historic and very hard to take your eyes off. So it’s no surprise that Long Beach Architecture Week, running from June 8 to June 12, features its own wide range of subjects and sites. From Victorian charm, and tea, of the Bembridge House to Rat Pack style and cocktails, there’s a whole lot packed into the week. Tours? Oh, there are walking tours and bus tours and boat tours. Talks? Yep, there are serious talks and seriously funny talks, talks about the past and talks about what will be required of architecture in the future. Here’s a few of the very interesting offerings, just be aware they represent a fraction of all that’s going on, to see it all go to LB Architecture’s Upcoming Events page.
T.H.U.M.S. Boat Tour
Any discussion of architecture unique to Long Beach must include the funky structures constructed to camouflage oil drilling activities on these islands in Long Beach Harbor. Cal State Long Beach Assistant Professor of Art, Brian Trimble, along with content creator Cassidy Liston and City of Long Beach Energy Resources Department staff will offer an up close, boat-side view of these wonders, including the history and development of the islands designed by, among others, horticulturist Bill Evans, famous for his work at Disneyland. Tours– Wednesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 9–begin at Studio 111 (245 E. Third St.), at 8:30 a.m.
Keynote Talk: Doris Sung
Sung is an acknowledged leader in constructing innovative building skins that are dynamic and responsive–her Ted Talk on the subject has had more than 1.2 million views–having designed projects with smart thermobimetal to self-ventilate, self-shade, self-assemble and self-propel with zero-energy. Sung, who is Director of Architecture Programs at USC, will talk about her work, inspirations and design process, as well as the ideas she has to create building products to improve public health for pedestrians. Sung will speak June 9, 7 p.m. in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Pacific Visions Theater (100 Aquarium Way).
Historic Downtown Self-Guided Tour
Though Long Beach and Los Angeles each have notable high rises, Long Beach is unique in that its skyline exists so near the ocean, creating a distinctive coastal cityscape. The Historic Self-Guided Tour takes you to iconic buildings and registered landmarks, everything from the Farmers and Merchants Bank building to the US Postal building to the Lafayette Hotel, past a host of buildings spanning Art Deco to Streamline Moderne. Go as fast or slow as you want, on foot, bike, skates or scooter. And, while you’re at it, stop for a bite or a drink at one of the numerous, great downtown spots. To take the tour, you’ll need to download the LB Living App.
Art Deco and Streamline Moderne Double Decker Bus Tour
Noted Art Deco expert, historic preservationist and author John Thomas will lead this tour of Downtown Long Beach’s rich architectural history, loaded with significant buildings built after the devastating earthquake of 1933. Thomas will take participants through all manner of buildings, from the Main Post Office, to schools, hospitals and hotels, much of it built in the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne style. The tour will not only focus on the finest examples of these two styles, but will feature Thomas’ own famous Cosmo cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages and tea sandwiches. There will be two tours– Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11–with each beginning in front of the WPA mural at Harvey Milk Park (205 E. Third St.)
Charles Phoenix: Long Beachland
Phoenix is a singular performer–how many “retro pop culture humorists” do you know?--and his hilarious and subversively informative slide shows regularly sell out. One of his most popular is Long Beachland, perhaps because Phoenix loves the city so much, calling its retro reputation “unequaled.” He takes great pleasure and pains to show the city’s many legendary landmarks, unsung attractions and local lore, scanning through about 3,000 Kodachrome slides from the ‘50s and ‘60s just to get the right one. Phoenix will present Long Beachland June 12, 2 p.m. at the Scottish Rites Event Center (855 Elm St.)
Rat Pack Party at Restored Paul Tay House
This Park Estates home was named winner of the 2022 Long Beach Heritage Preservation Award. Tay, renowned for his masterful use of open floor plans and glass as well as vaulted and beamed ceilings, designed more than 30 custom homes in Long Beach, completing this one in 1959. It will host the Rat Pack Party June 10, starting at 6 p.m., celebrating the Sinatra-esque style of the late ‘50s, early ‘60s. Period cocktails and appetizers will be provided by Michael’s On Naples and live, Pack-era jazz will be played by the CSULB Jazz Studies Quartet. Period dress is highly encouraged and is a must to be eligible for the Best Dressed Awards. Ring-a-ding-ding!
