Esoteric Survey

Poly Canyon was established in 1963 by George Hasslein, the first dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, to exhibit large-scale experimental structures built by students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The 10 acre collection is pretty amazing and for some reason I hadn't heard much about it. It's a little over a mile hike from the closest parking lot on campus (see map below).


The Weekend House (AKA Bridge House) by Craig Ellwood

This particular concept existed since 1964 and was obviously envisioned for a dramatic site. Ellwood associate Gerald Horn worked on the design and drawing above at Ellwood's request. It wasn't realized until Cal Poly students constructed it in 1967-68. Ellwood had a long relationship with the school, including lectures and teaching. Cal Poly also houses his archives.


Source: The Modern Steel House, by Neil Jackson

Although Ellwood's office wasn't formally involved in the construction, Craig himself was there to ta…

Olga Lee Baughman textile for L. Anton Maix
La Gardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery

California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast Opening Reception: September 20th California Cool looks at contributions to the era focusing on the landmark architecture, design and art from Ventura and neighboring Central Coast areas. This includes buildings by Rodney Walker, Carl Maston and Richard Neutra. Artists and designers who worked in the area include Paul Tuttle, Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall, Vivika and Otto Heino, Tom McMillin, Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, Stan Bitters and Beatrice Wood. Companies such as Architectural Fiberglass, Forms + Surfaces and Panelcarve were also based in the area.   

The Museum of Ventura County collaborated with guest curators Eric Huff, Jordan Downs and Steve Aldana for the exhibition.

On view September 21, 2019—February 23, 2020
More information is here.

Bakersfield Built: Architecture of the 1960s Symposium and Home Tour
In partnership with Kern County Museum, Society of Architectural Historians Southern California Chapter,  and the School of Arts & Humanities at CSU Bakersfield. 
Saturday, September 21, 2019 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Join BMoA for a symposium and guided tour in conjunction with the BMoA Fall Exhibition Bakersfield Built: Architecture of the 1960s. Enjoy the unique insight of academics, historians, and experts in the field of architecture preservation during this exclusive symposium celebrating Bakersfield’s rich architectural history.
In addition to a symposium, there will be a tour of the following homes:
Ablin Residence (1961, Frank Lloyd Wright)  Selby-Dabbs Residence (1962, Jack Hayslett)  Mr. and Mrs. Earl Elliott Residence (1961, Dave Cross)  Sudarsky Residence (1961, Whitney Biggar)  Robert Eddy Residence (Eddy & Paynter)
More information can be found here.

Kurt Versen in Sage Green, Martz tables, Kenji Fujita and...
George Nelson for Pomoma Tile
That's Nelson's signature on the bottom

Marco Wolff residence by John Lautner (1961) 
I attended a tour of the house that was hosted by the Lautner Foundation. They only allowed cell phone pics.
Wolff was an interior designer and musician. He asked Lautner for a Hollywood version of  Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. This was fortunate since Lautner supervised the building of the Pennsylvania landmark.  
The Wolff house was completed just a year after the Chemosphere. 
The site is on a steep slope, high above West Hollywood.
The Pacific Design Center can be seen on the right. 
The triangular element on the top left is a mirror-lined skylight. 
I love a good tree cutout.

The interior was originally carpeted and included Dunbar.
Source: Julius Shulman, 1975 - GRI Special Collection
Although the house is not for sale, it's mostly unfurnished at the moment.





Of course the LA version of Fallingwater consists of a pool. 
Railroad ties

The tour was led by George Salazar.
The door of the guest house, which was added in 196…