Huntington Beach Central Library
Architects: Richard Neutra and Dion Neutra (1970 - 1975)
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
This is the original, outdoor entrance to the library, which is now entirely inside the building. A bland expansion to the entry was completed in the mid-90s, and which completely moved the fountains and this spiral ramp indoors.
Richard Neutra and his son, Dion, were selected as the architects for the this library after a lengthy interview and screening process, and Richard Neutra provided the original design vision. But he died shortly thereafter (in 1970), and it was left to Dion to complete the project.
It's an interesting concept, where the overall building acts as a sort of shelter, encapsulating numerous areas that act as almost self-contained zones. The area where the books are kept, for example, is a free-standing cage that is accessed by crossing bridges and staircases over planters. There are water features, tropical trees, and atriums all acting to bring the outside into the building, and it works quite well. A very impressive structure which has stood the test of time.
Huntington Beach Central Library
Architects: Richard Neutra and Dion Neutra (1970 - 1975)
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
This is the original, outdoor entrance to the library, which is now entirely inside the building. A bland expansion to the entry was completed in the mid-90s, and which completely moved the fountains and this spiral ramp indoors.
Richard Neutra and his son, Dion, were selected as the architects for the this library after a lengthy interview and screening process, and Richard Neutra provided the original design vision. But he died shortly thereafter (in 1970), and it was left to Dion to complete the project.
It's an interesting concept, where the overall building acts as a sort of shelter, encapsulating numerous areas that act as almost self-contained zones. The area where the books are kept, for example, is a free-standing cage that is accessed by crossing bridges and staircases over planters. There are water features, tropical trees, and atriums all acting to bring the outside into the building, and it works quite well. A very impressive structure which has stood the test of time.