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The Bradbury Building

My Nguyen

        The Bradbury Building is an architectural landmark located at 304 Broadway at West 3rd Street in downtown Los Angeles, California. Built in 1893, the building was commissioned by Los Angeles gold-mining millionaire Lewis L. Bradbury and constructed by draftsman George Wyman . From the outside, the appearance doesn't look like it was an old architecture but the Bradbury was one of the oldest building in the city. It is one of Southern California's most remarkable architectural achievements and on its way to becoming most prestigious office address. Also this building appears in many television shoots, music videos and movies " Blade Runner" in 1982  " 500 days of Summer" , one of the place that you should visit while it still there.

photo 1 by High smith, Carol M., 1946

         The style of the building was influence by Italian Renaissance Revival style, round arches entrance and lots of  windows with facade of brown bricks , highlight by cast stones and terra cotta detailing. These materials are very durable, they will keep the building stay the same for a long period of time. As we can see, the exterior building didn't change from the day it was build. Overall, the Bradbury building doesn't seem to be interesting from the outside until you walk inside , you will be amaze of the interior of the building.  According to Bradbury Building History by  Publicatina " To find beauty, Wyman turned the building inward upon itself. Except for the uncharacteristic restraint in ornamentation, there is nothing unusual about the Italian Renaissance exterior façade of brown brick and sandstone terra cotta. It is the beauty of the dazzling center court of its interior that has given the building its fame "

photo 2 by © Jim Shoemake

         Since Wyman want to turn the building inward, so the inside of the court will amaze you, make you  feel like you just went back hundred of years. The interior is the most significant part of the building. The narrow entrance lobby, with lot ceiling and minimal light, it make you fell like you walk into an alley with arched windows on the side that open to the light inspiring by the Cathedral.  After  you reach to the center court. There are five-story court with glaze and unglazed yellow and pink bricks, once again, bricks are very durable. The combination of the color remind me of the Renaissance building very casual , all the materials they use are long-lasting, because it didn't look worn out yet. On the top, there was polished wood with glass roof that allows the sunlight in to the court, so the space will fill with pure-natural light, also you can enjoy the sky and sun during the day. I think it was a brilliant idea, because you don't have to use artificial light, which will save a lots of energy. Glass and wood are reusable. This building using almost all the durable and sustainable materials

photo 3 by Kriskrob

        The building is fill with black ornamental cast iron, geometric patterned staircases and wrought-iron and polished oak railings are used  throughout the place. "The wrought iron decoration was made in France and first displayed at the Chicago World's Fair before installation in the Building. Even the mail chutes are tall poles of metal not supported by any wall. The walls are pale brick and the floors are Mexican tile with imported Belgian marble used in the staircases. Such was Bradbury's desire for quality that the rich wood paneling is even carried out in the basement." According to publicartinla. Since they make the rooftop with glass, so when the light come in, the court will bright up , you can see almost  every details in the wall or the black ornamental. Everything details in the building are so neat, that make you want to look at it all day. Also there are unique open-cage elevators which seem to be really interesting since you can watch the entire building as you move up and down. The elevator rise toward the roof and offices open onto the balconies surrounding the court.

         The building seem to stay very well by it self's, I believe that the materials they choose are very successful. Even though, the building was build in the 1800s, but the building remains it beauty, unique, enchanting and very long lasting. 

  

SOURCE

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Bradbury_Building.html

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/01/business/fi-coversidetour1

http://www.dahp.wa.gov/styles/italian-renissance-revival

http://www.publicartinla.com/Downtown/Broadway/Bradbury/brad_hist.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradbury_Building#cite_note-jewel-12