Anyone living in Los Angeles has seen or maybe even eaten at Norm’s, the iconic diner located on La Cienega, with a sweeping roof, bold use of glass, neon and steel, and most memorable, a sawtooth sign. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Norm’s is a stellar example of the Googie architect trend that was the rage in Southern California in the mid-twentieth century.

Googie, not to be misread as Google, architecture, is a futurist style of architecture that was particularly popular in southern California in the 1950’s and 60’s, “a time when America was flush with cash and ready to deliver the technological possibilities that had been promised during WWII” (Smithsonianmag.com). From cartoons such as The Jetsons, to car designs, futuristic ideals permeated American culture. Googie’s style was meant to appeal to the average middle class American, and therefore adorned buildings used in everyday life such as coffee shops, gas stations, and car washes.

Drawing inspiration from the space age and the spirit of the modern age, Googie architecture is characterized by bold geometric shapes with sharp angels and sweeping curves. Boomerang shapes were used for roofs and signage, which often included neon illumination. Sweeping roof lines appeared weightless. References to space age imagery, such as rockets and starbursts, also adorned signs and building facades. Googie architects, such as John Lautner, Douglas Honnold, Eldon Davis and Louis Armet, incorporated a mixture of materials from steel to glass to concrete and neon (Masterclass).

In fact, it was John Lautner’s coffee shop on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, named Googies, was the inspiration for architecture critic David Haskell to coin the movement “Googie” when he critiqued Lautner’s design as over-the-top (Smithsonian). While this style became a national trend, the seeds of it were born in Los Angeles– “because it was one of the fastest growing cities at that time – and [had] a tradition of experimental modern architecture,” explained architect and historian Alan Hess. As the state was fast becoming the land of the motorist, California’s roadside billboards raised Googie style to an art form (smithosonianmag.com).

Many of these masterpieces were demolished but a few remain in Southern California.

*Ed Ruscha’s Norm’s, Photo courtesy of Artsy*

Norm’s -- Immortalized in Ed Ruscha’s 1964 painting Norms’ La Cienega, On Fire, the 24/7 diner has been a staple in pop culture with appearances in Jerry Seinfeld, Woman in Gold, and American Horror Story, to name a few.

*Photo by Todd Lapin, courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine*

LAX Theme Building -- It is totally fitting that the Theme Building at LAX would be inspired by this space-age trend with a UFO-like restaurant suspended from the center of two massive arches (LA Conservancy).

Pann’s Coffee Shop -- Located on a traffic island, this family-owned coffee shop boasts an immense “tortoise shell” shaped soaring roof while the “off kilter animated neon sign bursts skyward” (La Conservancy).

McDonald’s, Downey -- The oldest operating McDonald’s features two neon golden arches on either side of the building, a sweeping roof and illumination. Unlike today’s iterations, it only has one single massive yellow arch with the original mascot. The retro vibe continues inside with 1950’s vintage décor and menu based on the original recipes (Daily Mail).

Union 76 Gas Station -- Fill up your car at this Beverly Hills gas station, and marvel at what is “recognized… as one of the highest examples of Googie architecture in the world” (LA Conservancy). The futuristic design features a “swooping, curved canopy reminiscent of a giant… spaceship.” The canopy lifts its angled corners to the sky, while the underside is illuminated by shimmering lights that highlight the curves.

Bob’s Big Boy—This Burbank restaurant is a great example of this “1950’s coffee shop modern” style architecture with its cantilevers, striking signage with neon lettering, boomerang-shaped steel awning and use of glass (Bob’s Big Boy).

Around the country you can see examples of Googie architecture in Seattle’s Space Needle, Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, and the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

Googie architecture… no, that’s not a typo