Alan Hess
Encyclopedia
Alan Hess is an American architect, author, lecturer and advocate for twentieth century architectural preservation.
"Alan Hess [is] a prominent California architecture critic who has written extensively on roadside strips," writes the New York Times (March 6, 1994). Through 2009, Alan has written and/or co-authored eighteen books, published numerous articles on the architecture of Googie
, Las Vegas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Oscar Niemeyer, John Lautner, Ranch Houses, Palm Springs, Organic architecture, Mid-century Modern design, and suburbia. He has been the architecture critic for the San Jose Mercury News
since 1986.
, a Master's degree in architecture from the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
, and is a licensed architect. After working with architects William Coburn, and Callister Payne and Bischoff, Hess started his own firm specializing in residential work and historic preservation. His first book, Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (Chronicle Books 1985) focused on a neglected and popular Modern form. Following books continued to explore overlooked chapters in twentieth century architecture and urbanism. He is responsible for qualifying several landmark buildings for the National Register of Historic Places, including the oldest operating McDonald's in Downey, Stuart Company Plant and Office Building and Bullock's Pasadena
in Pasadena, and the Hotel Valley Ho
in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"Alan Hess [is] a prominent California architecture critic who has written extensively on roadside strips," writes the New York Times (March 6, 1994). Through 2009, Alan has written and/or co-authored eighteen books, published numerous articles on the architecture of Googie
Googie architecture
Googie architecture is a form of modern architecture, a subdivision of futurist architecture influenced by car culture and the Space and Atomic Ages....
, Las Vegas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Oscar Niemeyer, John Lautner, Ranch Houses, Palm Springs, Organic architecture, Mid-century Modern design, and suburbia. He has been the architecture critic for the San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
since 1986.
Biography
Born in California in 1952, Hess received his BA at Principia CollegeThe Principia
The Principia is an educational institution for Christian Scientists located on two campuses in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Principia School, located in West St. Louis County, serves students from early childhood through high school...
, a Master's degree in architecture from the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
The UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture is a professional school at the University of California, Los Angeles. The school plays a vital role in the cultural and artistic life of the campus and the community. Through the six degree-granting departments, it provides a full range of course...
, and is a licensed architect. After working with architects William Coburn, and Callister Payne and Bischoff, Hess started his own firm specializing in residential work and historic preservation. His first book, Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (Chronicle Books 1985) focused on a neglected and popular Modern form. Following books continued to explore overlooked chapters in twentieth century architecture and urbanism. He is responsible for qualifying several landmark buildings for the National Register of Historic Places, including the oldest operating McDonald's in Downey, Stuart Company Plant and Office Building and Bullock's Pasadena
Bullock's Pasadena
Bullock's Pasadena, located at 401 S. Lake Ave. in Pasadena, California, is a 240,000-square foot Streamline Moderne Art Deco architectural style building now in use as a Macy's department store.-Design:...
in Pasadena, and the Hotel Valley Ho
Hotel Valley Ho
Hotel Valley Ho is a historic hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. Also called the Valley Ho and, for 28 years, the Ramada Valley Ho, the hotel was originally designed by Edward L. Varney, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. It first opened in 1956 with a forward-looking and futuristic design...
in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Published works
- Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (Chronicle Books, 1985)
- Viva Las Vegas: After-Aours Architecture (Chronicle Books, 1993)
- Hyperwest: American Residential Architecture on the Edge (Whitney Library of Design, 1996)
- The Architecture of John Lautner (Thames & Hudson, 1999)
- Rancho Deluxe (Chronicle Books, 2000)
- Palm Springs Weekend: The Architecture and Design of a Midcentury Oasis (Chronicle Books, 2001.)
- Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture (Chronicle Books, 2004)
- The Ranch House (H.N. Abrams, 2004)
- Organic Architecture: The Other Modernism (Gibbs Smith, 2006)
- Frank Lloyd Wright: The Houses (Rizzoli, 2006)
- Oscar Niemeyer Houses (Rizzoli, 2006)
- Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970 (Gibbs Smith, 2007)