John Byers: Frederick Laue Restaurant (Santa Monica, Calif.)
The rendering for the Frederick Laue restaurant is an example of Byers' commercial work. While known specifically for residences, he did design a few commercial and civic buildings. A Laue Restaurant was located near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue from 1927 until 1936. This rendering, circa 1932, might have been a possible expansion in another location, or an unbuilt project rendering. The street view poses a facade very close to the sidewalk and street, while the back view highlights a patio with grassy area, and a two story massing.
John Byers papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
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John Byers: John Byers house (Santa Monica, Calif,)
These images are for the first and second floor plans for an early house for Mrs. John Byers. The plans are not dated, and there is no address listed anywhere on the sheets. The thick-lined walls for the living room and first floor bedroom indicate this house might have been partially constructed from adobe. The second floor bedrooms open onto a balcony, which would have assisted with cross-breezes and done away with the need for a sleeping porch.
The McLaughlin house, though its location is unknown, is very similar to many of the adobe and Monterey Revival houses Byers designed in the Santa Monica area. With an exterior staircase leading to a second floor balcony, red tile roof, and colorful landscaping, the house is a good example of the Byers style. The design of the house allowed for it to be sited either on a suburban or rural property.
This presentation drawing is similar to other Byers drawings-- with a Spanish Colonial Revival house set amongst lush landscaping. The house features a loggia running the length of the front of the house, with a second story balcony, and all under a classic red tile roof.
In the John Byers collection, many items are unidentified. Some of the drawings have dates or locations, however the vast majority do not. This pair of images shows the front of an adobe-style house in the first image, and the back of the house in the second. Both drawings bear the hallmarks of the Byers style-- red tile roofs, lush landscaping, and an exterior staircase leading to a second floor balcony.
John Byers: Unitarian Church (Santa Monica, Calf.)
The two very different renderings of the Unitarian Church of Santa Monica highlight the range of styles that John Byers was capable of designing. The first image, a more Spanish Colonial style, was the ultimate choice of the building, which is shown in the third image, a photograph taken after construction. The second image shows a much more traditional church, with high pointed steeple, instead of the smaller tower with bell.