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Any Googie Fans?

Discussion in 'Creative Arts' started by rdefabri, Dec 21, 2010.

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  1. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #1 rdefabri, Dec 21, 2010
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2010
    I am a huge fan of the "Googie" style architecture of the late 40's - 60's (sometimes called "Mid-Century Modern"). I lived in a Googie-style home when I was a child (Levitt), and I see there's some renewed interest in it. I also recall vacationing in Wildwood, NJ as a child - they call it "Doo Wop" style there...

    Any fans of the style? Any cool examples to share?

    I'd love to have a Googie style home again....those were the days!
     
  2. Alintea

    Alintea Rookie

    Nov 15, 2010
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    #2 Alintea, Dec 22, 2010
    Im a huge fan of both Goodie and Mid-Century Modern. You're house probably was Mid-Mod, not Googie, as Googie is a sub-genre of Mid-Mod and Im pretty sure there were few if any houses built in that style. Googie is mostly associated with coffee shops.

    I also grew up in a beautiful Mid-Mod ranch home is Orange County, CA. The architect of my subdivision moved on to design Tomorrowland! Cliff May (father of ranch homes) took over his position. So Im very lucky!

    Recently Ive started blogging on Googie architecture if you'd like to check out some of my posts http://www.ultraswank.net/author/amy/

    There's pretty good info on the web and a few books, particularly anything by Alan Hess.
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=googie
     
  3. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 rdefabri, Dec 22, 2010
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2010
    For sure - my home was probably more Mid-Mod - didn't have the inverted rooflines, but the house was decorated with starbursts and swoops!

    I've been meaning to read some of Alan Hess' work - I am only discovering that there is this sub-culture of Googie fans. For years, I've loved the style, but didn't know what it was called (I am not an architect) until I read an article on the movie the Incredibles (one of my faves, BTW).

    When I Googled it - I couldn't believe the treasure trove of information! I checked out your blog - I see you are a Tiki fan too, nice!

    My parents graduated high school in the 50's, I was born in the 60's, and grew up in the 70's, so much of what I enjoy today (my cars, my music, what I collect) is steeped in those decades.

    I would love to own a small Googie style diner or coffee shop. Not many here in NJ!
     
  4. kali

    kali Formula Junior

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    #4 kali, Dec 23, 2010
    I think they are great in small doses, but too much has the potential to just look dull in my opinion
     
  5. Alan Hess

    Alan Hess Rookie

    Dec 23, 2010
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    #5 Alan Hess, Dec 23, 2010
    Check out the second edition of "Googie: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture," and updating of the original. It has a lot of new material in it, including more on the influence of Googie on tract housing in the 1950s. My book "Viva Las Vegas: After Hours Architecture" talks about how many of the same Los Angeles architects who designed Googie coffee shops also helped to invent Las Vegas and its hotels and casinos.

    You aren't the only one interested in Googie -- and there are a lot of people around the country who are working to preserve the few remaining examples.
     
  6. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 rdefabri, Dec 27, 2010
    Nice to hear from you! I will check out your books - have you ever been to Wildwood, NJ? There's a "neo-Googie" effort going on with some of the hotels and bars...although they call it Doo Wop, it's still Googie to me :)
     
  7. kdf398

    kdf398 Formula Junior
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    #7 kdf398, Dec 29, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 rdefabri, Jan 10, 2011
    That Union 76 station is AWESOME! Love that!
     

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