Post #641289 by Atomic Tiki Punk on Thu, Jun 21, 2012 3:58 PM

Spike, Those are true A-Frame construction and very mid century
Here is where many of us get mixed up on the design aesthetic

Now when we see a house or apartment that looks Tiki to us (Actually Hawaiian to be accurate)
we see more often then not an A-Frame incorporated into the main structure (But not mandatory)
Usually there is a stone or rock element (Walls,entry, etc.)
In the case of Apartment Complexes almost always an "Hawaiian" name
Palms & Tropical landscaping
& the most obvious Tikis!

Recreating a Tropical "Hawaiian" resort village was obviously the intention of the builders/Designers
This fits in squarely with our idea of "Tiki" & you will get no argument from me.

But......Much of these design choices originate in Mid Century Architecture!

But those cross & support beams look Tiki you say?

I have talked to some of the still surviving carpenters & framers who worked in the 50s & 60s about this
and was told craftsman had more input back in the day & would incorporate more ornate designs
in plain & straight beams & overhangs,Because they like to add those little custom/Individual flourishes.
They added, Back then Tropical was what many wanted, It was by the beach, It was Southern California.

Not a particularly Tiki approach is it?

So my argument here is most of what we see & think may be "Tiki" inspired residences
are only Mid Century & maybe Tropical Hawaiian influenced, But you take all these elements
throw them together & you have a cool "Tiki" Home or Apartment.

So I say you need more then just an A-Frame & ornate crossbeam to assume that the building was using "Tiki/Hawaiian"
design intentionally.