Paul Laszlo (1900-1993): Atomville
description: With Cold War hysteria growing, architects, engineers, and designers in the post-World War Two era created small bomb shelters for single families, as well as large-scale underground shelters for entire communities. The Atomville design was specifically for air bases and military installations-- to house personnel and equipment.
creator: Paul Laszlo, designer
source: Paul László papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
publisher: Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
date: circa 1956
rights: Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. University of California Regents.
relation: adc_150
format: image/jpg
language: English
type: Still Image
coverage: Los Angeles, Calif.

Paul Laszlo (1900-1993): Bomb Shelter
description: These drawings display the level of detail and engineering that was put into designing a bomb shelter for home (backyard) use. The specifications take into account any large-scale shockwaves that might hit the entrance and air vents above ground, and the slope of the ground around the shelter.
creator: Paul Laszlo, designer
source: Paul László papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
publisher: Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
date: circa 1955
rights: Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. University of California Regents.
relation: adc_150
format: image/jpg
language: English
type: Still Image
coverage: Los Angeles, Calif.

Paul Laszlo (1900-1993): Hertz bomb shelter
description: Rental car company founder John Hertz commissioned Laszlo to build a bomb shelter in the backyard of his Woodland Hills, Calif. ranch, due to Hertz' concern over a possible nuclear attack on the Los Angeles area. Laszlo spent years designing the structure, as well as researching the building codes and discussing the effects of nuclear fallout with experts. According to archival material, Laszlo even tried to witness a nuclear blast through contacting the Office of Civil Defense for permission to travel to a military base. The Hertz shelter was equipped with sleeping areas, kitchen, bathroom, elevator, stairs, and an escape hatch. The Architecture and Design Collection also houses the Roland Coate archive, which includes plans for the Hertz house and bomb shelter addition.
creator: Paul Laszlo, designer
source: Paul László papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
publisher: Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
date: 1953-1955
rights: Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. University of California Regents.
relation: adc_150
format: image/jpg
language: English
type: Still Image
coverage: Los Angeles, Calif.; Woodland Hills, Calif.