City Hall, Los Angeles, 1926-1928

City Hall main entry

The building was completed in 1928. In this building, there are 32 floors and, at 138 meter high. City hall was the tallest building back then. The building has a base-isolated structure that will cover itself from nature damages. There was a strong earthquake (8.3) that hit Los Angeles, but the base held the structure of the building. One of the challenges in the proposal was to protect the building from natural disasters. Fortunately, there were no damages from the earthquake. City Hall has three different shapes. There is the Gate (entrance) and then the residential part, then the tower. The top of the tower has a Greek style. The idea of the Greek design was taken from Mausoleum of Mausolus that located in Turkey. The reason why they chose that style if to make people feel the transfer from the American design, on the bottom, to the Greek design, on the top, on their way to the observation deck. City Hall is opened to the public, but not the whole building. There is a police department and top private floors in this building. However, there are spaces that are opened to the public like the library, museum and some time there is space in the building for wedding occasions.

Structure of city hall

Final look of its structure

According to Los Angeles conservancy, City Hall building’s area is considered as a focal point and the most spotted landmark in the city. One of the three architects who built City Hall, John Parkinson, was the one who made the concept and the architectural design of the building, which most of it has a modern American design and then some Greek design. Then the architect Albert C. Martin who took care of the structural design. Finally, the architect John C. Austin who worked on making sketches of the project and took care of the project in general.

City hall

City Hall has a heavy look style. I became recognized because of the acting and making movies in this area. If people get lost in the city, but they can see the tower of City Hall, they will figure their way to it. Just like the empire state building, where everyone walks toward it until they find their way in. Also, it has an observation deck, where people are able to watch the great elevation of the city. The other thing that makes city hall appealing is its white concrete façade. Since 1928 until now the building has its original color of the concrete (white). People enjoy walking around city hall and let their kids playing. Some people enjoy reading, or gathering/ meeting in City Hall. As a focal point of the city, City Hall creates a warm atmosphere for people and nature, and it gives people the feel of safety, and welcome.

work cited

https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/los-angeles-city-hall