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
3 comments:
This is one of my favorite buildings in LA. Unassuming from the outside, it is unbelievable when you enter the doors and walk to the inner courtyard and realize the entire ceiling is made of glass. The intricate ironwork is so beautiful.
I really love this building! It can tell it influenced by Italian Renaissance Revival style, and the interior is really old school, the material is long lasting so it won’t become worn, I would go visit of I have a chance!
This is such a cool building. I love the idea of playing with our preconceived concepts of interior and exterior. I haven't been to this building, but now I would love to visit.
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