Masterpieces

architecture
California’s Unique
Masterpieces
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Northern and Southern
California Chapters Unite The State’s Cultural Heritage
By Kendra Boutell
72 | CALIFORNIA HOMES
OPPOSITE The exterior of
Chateau Carolands provides a
stately presence in the suburban
landscape of Hillsborough. Its
Beaux Arts design reminds us of
the past luxuries of a gilded age.
ABOVE Filoli estate in Woodside
was rendered in a fluid Georgian
style by architect Willis Polk. The
use of tiled roofs incorporated an
element of California materials
into the early 20th century
country home. Photograph
provided by Barbara Braun.
From Hillsborough’s masterpiece of Beaux-Arts classicism
Carolands Chateau, to Santa Monica’s Georgian Revival
mansion Ocean House, the state of California has a unique
architectural vocabulary. The Northern and Southern
California Chapters of The Institute of Classical
Architecture & Art (ICAA) celebrates this great architecture through events, tours, education and lectures at various
historic locations throughout the state.
Recently, classically trained architect Allan Greenberg
addressed the question “Can Modern Architecture be
Classical?” to a large audience at the Carolands estate in San
Mateo County. The South African born, Yale educated
Greenberg has offices in New York, Greenwich and
Washington, D.C. In his lecture he explored how the classical structure informed the work of modernists such as Mies
van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. The attendees also enjoyed
touring the interiors of the privately owned mansion, newly
restored to their early twentieth century elegance.
Not all architectural gems have fared so well over time.
Sam Watters, author of “Houses of Los Angeles” is an
expert on the transient nature of homes from LA’s first
Golden Age, 1885-1935. Last summer ICCA sponsored
Watters’ illustrated talk on William Randolph Hearst’s
Ocean House which was held in its surviving guest house.
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architecture
Built in 1929 in Santa Monica as a beach front Georgian
mansion for his mistress Marion Davies, it was designed by
architects Julia Morgan (the architect of Hearst Castle) and
William E. Flannery. Complete with three guest houses for
visiting Hollywood elite, most of it was demolished in 1956
to make way for a hotel.
It is the loss of historical buildings like Ocean House
that makes the ICAA so essential. The national non-profit
organization has the mission of advancing the appreciation
of the classical tradition of architecture and its allied arts.
Drawing upon industry leaders, both Northern and
Southern California chapters have a rich tradition. In San
Francisco, the chapter was founded in 2004 by classical
architects Morgan Conolly, Aaron Cook and Andrew
Skurman along with designer Suzanne Tucker. Tucker a
long time president, also serves on the national board.
The current executive board is comprised of Sotheby’s
residential broker, Joseph Lucier as President, textile antiquarian Kathleen Taylor as Vice-President, showroom
owner Greg McIntyre as Secretary and Treasurer Timothy
Marks, partner of Tucker at Tucker & Marks.
The Southern California counterpart was founded in
2003 by architect Marc Appleton, designer Suzanne
Rheinstein and builder David Cohen of the I. Grace
Company. It is now headed by architect Tim Barber as the
president. Andrew Tullis of Richard Manion Architecture
acts as Vice-President and Treasurer, while Erik Evens,
architect and partner at KAA Design Group is Secretary.
Barber views his involvement with fellow ICAA members
as an unexpected benefit, “What a surprise to find so many
closet classicists in California. They really appreciate the
design of classic and vernacular structures. And they love
the builders, artisans and craftsmen that created them.”
The ICAA is uniquely
positioned to offer a
wonderful window of
opportunity to the
next generation.
ABOVE Coldwater Canyon,
Los Angeles. Gerard Colcord,
Architect; Tom Boland,
interior design. An example
of what is called “Colcord
Country Colonial.”
Photograph by Peter Vitale
LEFT Before the lecture at
the Carolands the attendees
gathered for a reception.
From left: Suzanne Tucker,
Allan Greenberg, Paul
Gunther and Joseph Lucier.
OPPOSITE Hillgrove in
Los Angeles. Tim Barber,
Tim Barber Ltd, Architect.
Photograph by Karyn Millet.
74 | CALIFORNIA HOMES
DECEMBER | 75
architecture
These classicists have started a major force in the building industry. By opening the very best architectural heritage
to tours, by teaching the design, and rendering the history
that created these buildings, the chapters are reversing the
recent “starchitecture” trend.
Marc Appleton, a three term national board member
and founding member of the Southern California Chapter,
says, “When I thought about the Southern California
architecture I most admired, much of it had been created by
classically trained architects.” Through the efforts of ICAA
young architects, designers and builders are carefully taught
to create buildings that last, that complement their surroundings and that use local materials and labor. Tim
Barber adds, “How very green.”
For designer Suzanne Tucker adds, “I see the Institute’s
greatest potential as serving an increasing number of students in today’s world. They don’t know what they aren’t
learning, what they aren’t being taught, what the possibilities are until they’ve had such exposure. The ICAA is
uniquely positioned to offer a window of opportunity to the
next generation—the young architects, artists, artisans, and
designers of the future. A beautifully proportioned, classical
window, of course!”, she concludes. CH
76 | CALIFORNIA HOMES
ABOVE Mi Sueno, KAA Design Group Inc, Los Angeles. Photograph: Philip Clayton Thompson.
OPPOSITE Southern California classical architecture enthusiasts outside of Ocean House’s
surviving guest house. Formerly a retreat for visiting Hollywood celebrities in is now the
Annenberg Community Beach House and can be viewed by the public.
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