District I: Ocean Bluffs

Figure 66: "Specimens of TYPE I Architecture"

Type I Architecture District was identified along the lower elevations of the coast or Ocean Bluffs, and architecture here,

shall be that distinctive type of architecture which for two decades or more has been successfully developing in California, deriving its chief inspiration directly or indirectly from Latin types, which developed under similar climatic conditions along the Mediterranean.^Ref.39

Californian architecture was the only approved type in District I and the deed restrictions, illustrated by specimen photographs for each type, specified surface treatment of houses as well as pitch and materials for roofs. (Fig.66) Color was described as "Generally light in tone (of shades to be approved for each individual case)." Materials were specified as follows:

Plaster or stucco exterior wall surfaces of a durable construction, or where they can be afforded, concrete stone or an approved artificial stone, are to be preferred. In rare cases an exterior finish of wood or clay products may by approved in Type I districts, but only when treated in harmony with the dominant note of neighboring building.^Ref.40

Low roofs are desired in Type I districts preferably not steeper than thirty (30) degrees and never to exceed thirty-five (35) degrees maximum. They should be of tile of an approved color, or if of shingles the natural weather tone shall be preferred. Roof, if flat, enclosed by parapet walls. Paper or other approved prepared roofings of these flat roofs to be sprinkled with gravel or other natural material, generally light in tone.^Ref.41

Figure 67: Frederick Law Olmsted House, Jr. Myron Hunt and H. C. Chambers, Architects

The house Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. built in 1925 for his family in District I, Ocean Bluffs, was the only residence Myron Hunt and his partner H. C. Chambers did at Palos Verdes Estates. (Fig.67) It is perhaps one of the most successful examples of so-called Californian architecture for the district. The horizontal white stucco residence with a low pitched tile roof is based on a Spanish hacienda precedent. Its dramatic location is on a promontory contour situated 150 feet above the Pacific Ocean. A newspaper article in a 1925 issue of the Los Angeles Examiner reported that every room had a view of the sea.^Ref.42 (Fig.68) A drawing of the house accompanying the newspaper article reveal its relations to the surrounding landscape, with porches facing the patio and gardens. A photograph of the porch is reminiscent of the simple construction of Mexican vernacular architecture which appeared in the California Missions. (Fig.69)

Figure 68: File clipping, Headlines, "Frederick Law Olmsted Residence at Palos Verdes," drawing of floor plan and patio Figure 69: Porch of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. Residence, Palos Verdes Estates Figure 70: Plan of Grounds of Mr. F. L. Olmsted at Palos Verdes, Olmsted Brothers, Landscape Architects

Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.'s landscape plan for his own residence reveals the "harmonious" design concepts he emphasized in his writings. A general plan for the grounds dated May 1927, combines a harmony between the exterior landscaping of the grounds and the interior spaces of the residence. (Fig.70) The plan combines curvilinear and rectilinear forms and the absence of formal gardens seems to reflect the informal design of the residence. Its asymmetrically organized wings recede and project northwest to the ocean beyond. The house, on axis with the promontory, is located on several contours connected by stairs. The entrance to the grounds and house is from Rosita Place, a sort of private cul du sac, allowing automobile access to the property. A square entrance garden, serving almost as an outdoor foyer, is reached from the front drive by a narrow walk; beyond that is another walk bordered by flowers and connecting to the main entrance of the residence. Its plan is arranged in galley-like fashion with an open porch fronting the southeast side of the house and an enclosed patio. The interior rooms connect to each other and face northwest with vistas from the windows to the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Bay. In contrast to the rectilinear arrangement of the northwest side of the gardens and house, curvilinear shapes accentuate the southeast side of the property, formed by the French curve of the driveway as it borders fruit groves and vegetable gardens and reaches an auto turn southeast of the house.

Palos Verdes Estates did not lay sole claim to good residential landscape design in the Los Angeles area. Many communities such as Beverly Hills had grounds of residences carefully planned by talented landscape architects. One such example is the plan for the Benjamin R. Meyer Estate, done by Paul G. Thiene in 1924. (Fig.71) This elaborate estate might have been too pretentious for the understated Palos Verdes Estates community, as the extensive grounds are surrounded by native growth and orchards, with a series of vegetable gardens organized east of the stables and barns. A curvilinear drive defines the landscaped areas and circumvents the house. Terraces outside of the house are placed at various elevations and provide outdoor spaces for viewing the open lawns, and formal and informal gardens, all of which are placed on an axis with the large swimming pool located northeast on the property. An early photograph of the Spanish Colonial Revival loggia overlooking the swimming pool provides a glimpse into the picturesque manner in which trees, shrubs, and flowers act as accents for the architecture against which they are displayed and often encompass. (Fig.72)

Figure 71: Plan of Grounds of Benjamin R. Meyer Estate, Beverly Hills, by Paul G. Thiene, Landscape Architect (same as Fig.61)

Figure 72: View of Loggia and Swimming Pool, Benjamin R. Meyer Estate, Beverly Hills, Paul G. Thiene, Landscape Architect