Post #640980 by bigbrotiki on Tue, Jun 19, 2012 2:36 AM

I know Chris Jepsen as a very dedicated and professional historian, and if he says there is Tiki in dem burbs, there is. But I also share ATP's sense of caution to declare just any lil' A-frame peak with an outrigger beam "Tiki". As I have said here repeatedly, the A-frame was common feature in all kinds of mid-century buildings.

From my research I gather that the A-frame was first used by modern architect R.M. Schindler, who worked in California from the early 20th century, building MOSTLY International Style boxy buildings - but there were exceptions:

Laura Davies residence, 1924

He helped Frank Lloyd Wright to build the imperial Hotel in Tokyo from 1915 - 1923. This might have influenced his Asian design of the DESERT HOUSE near Palm Springs in 1946:

This is the earliest example of a modern house with the A-frame/outrigger beam combo I could find. I would call it Asian Modern, but not Tiki.

To make a building clearly Tiki is a question of degree of how much of the other elements exist, or have existed:

Hawaiian/Polynesian/Tropical names
Not just rock walls, but preferably lava rock
The elaborateness of the outrigger beams
Pool rec rooms with bamboo and rattan interiors
Landscaping like waterfalls, gas torches, bridges, and big tropical flora
...and of course Tiki carvings

I am sure Chris has found several of the above elements in his map locations. And since he is friends with Mike Skinner/Zulu Magoo, I am sure he is aware of Mike's L.A. apartment map. I am glad that Chris is keeping urban archeology going, and the discussion alive.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2012-06-19 02:38 ]