One Order of Googie, Comin' Right Up!

In the world of “Big Box” buildings, strip malls, and new construction that looks like it could be pushed down with a running start, a nostalgic feeling overwhelms me. I’m only 23, but my old soul wants to turn up the Sinatra and daydream of being in the optimistic 1950s, sitting in my perfectly decorated living room, (which would look something like this, by the way), waiting to be picked up by my gorgeous boyfriend (in a car that looks like this, and he would definitely look something like this), where he’d take me on the date of my dreams.
Guess where?
A perfectly designed architectural treasure, a Googie Diner, of course!
Alas, dreams do come true! Lucky for us there are a few specimens of this dying breed of beauty left in the world of architecture. And now that I have your mouth watering for more, here are some tasty examples.
First, lets go to Norm’s Restuarant in Los Angeles, CA. You can’t miss the sign, an icon of sorts that penetrates the skyline with its five white boomerangs and space age orange letters. Inside is even better.



Or maybe you prefer the neon glow of Pann’s sign, a beacon of hot pink and orange hope leading you to its roof of jutting lines and its plate glass walls; inside you’ll find a long red bar lined with white vinyl stools, and you’ll smell its famous fried chicken still being served up today.





Sadly, when the high times of optimism which inspired the look of Googie architecture died, out came the bulldozers driven by a new generation. We have lost some of our Googie treasures, but the look is coming back big time. Its that same nostalgia I am feeling lately that’s inspiring the reintroduction of this iconic movement in design. I found some great examples on ebay for space-age lighting and furniture. Here are some pics of current listings I really love.





I absolutely adore Googie architecture not only because of its great space-age look, but also what it represents. Check out the history of Googie Architecture here, and expect more posts in the future! As the boyfriend of my 1950’s daydream would put it, “That’s Amore’!”
-Genevieve