Robert Stacy-Judd: Central Block (Minot, ND)
Robert Stacy-Judd worked for the railroad in England, then moved to the United States and worked for the Great Northern Railroad in North Dakota. After a couple of years, he started his own practice in Minot. The Central Block was originally designed as a six-story building, with shops on the first floor, and apartments above. The client was Dr. H.L. Kermott, a well-known physician. The buildings Stacy-Judd designed in North Dakota, and later in Alberta, Canada were in the local vernacular-- brick, two or three story, and limited ornamentation.
Robert Stacy-Judd 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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Robert Stacy-Judd: Philosophical Research Society (Los Angeles, Calif.)
The founder of the Philosophical Research Society, Manely P. Hall, had commissioned buildings by Stacy-Judd previously, due to their shared interest in Mayan design. The Library in the Philosophical Research Society was designed to hold the many rare and unique books in the Hall collection.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Soboba Hot Springs Hotel (San Jacinto, Calif.)
As travel by personal car became more feasible during the 1920s, the mountains surrounding Los Angeles on the east became weekend getaways for residents. The use of hot springs for relaxation and to cure various ailments was a popular attraction. The Soboba Hot Springs Hotel filled both of those requirements for Los Angeles residents. Stacy-Judd combined his vast interest in Native American, Mexican, and Central American cultures with an Americanized version of different types of dwelling units. The cultural appropriation of native housing styles created a 'village' of native peoples who did not inhabit the same locations. While the hotel was popular for many years, it was eventually demolished and a hotel run by the local Native American tribe now bears its name.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Atwater bungalows (Los Angeles, Calif.)
The pair of bungalows for Dr. H. Gale Atwater were part of a larger swath of land owned by Atwater along Avon Park Terrace, adjacent to Elysian Park. Atwater had previously built another "Hopi-style" house on the property, and commissioned Stacy-Judd to build two bungalows in the same style. Now referred to as Pueblo-style, the rough-hewn stucco on the exterior is punctuated by protruding downspouts and wooden rafter ends. Spindly balconies and rustic ladders complete the unique properties.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Carey house (Hollywood, Calif.)
The Carey house is a fascinating study of architectural vision versus reality. The rendering of the house is in the "Mayan" style, reminiscent of Stacy-Judd's Aztec Hotel. The photographs of the completed house show a much more subdued and modest Pueblo style stucco-covered abode.
Robert Stacy-Judd, architect R.H. Stone, photographer
Robert Stacy-Judd: First Baptist Church (Ventura, Calif.)
This church building is widely regarded as one of the premier examples of Mayan Revival style architecture. It was declared a city landmark in 1975, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The exterior steeple is stepped up with Stacy-Judd's signature triangle shaped accents and windows, which create a sense of verticality to the structure. The architect noted on the bottom of the photograph, "First ecclesiastic example utilizing Ancient Mayan Art Motifs." Stacy-Judd was very much a showman, and was married in the church in 1931.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Krotona Institute of Theosophy (Ojai, Calif.)
Theosophy was a religion that began in the United States in the late 1800s as a mix of esoteric Spiritualism, occult influences, and adaptation various Asian religions. The Krotona Institute started in the Beechwood Canyon area of Los Angeles in 1912, and included structures designed by Mead and Requa, and Arthur and Alfred Heinemen. By 1924, the Los Angeles area had become too crowded, and the Krotona Institute moved to Ojai, a small town about 75 miles northwest. Robert Stacy-Judd was commissioned to build a large number of buildings including an administration building, library, lecture hall, and bungalows for the members. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style with white stucco walls and red tile roofs, the buildings blended in with the overarching style of the town of Ojai.
Robert Stacy-Judd: La Jolla Beach and Yacht Club (La Jolla, Calif.)
The La Jolla Beach and Yacht Club was a large-scale commission for Stacy-Judd after his success with the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia. For the Club, he created a more subdued theme, with triangular shaped window openings, adobe-style exterior walls, and arched doorways. The main Club building was 200 feet long, with a covered promenade stretching the length of the building, and a 1000 foot sea wall protected the building from high tide. The interior of the building featured exposed wood beams, arched doorways leading into lounges, a dining room, kitchen, Club offices, and dressing rooms for Club members.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Merrick & Ruddick housing project (San Fernando Valley, Calif.)
As the population of the Los Angeles region grew in the early 1920s, developers purchased land that was formerly ranches to turn into housing developments. Merrick & Ruddick developed the San Fernando Valley area, and asked Stacy-Judd to design and build houses for speculation and for their clients. Most of the houses in the Hollywood Foothill subdivision near Ventura Boulevard were in the Spanish Revival or traditional styles. But some were designed in the Pueblo Revival style that Stacy-Judd made famous.
Robert Stacy-Judd, architect Johnson, photographer
Robert Stacy-Judd: Monroe house (Lake Sherwood, Calif,.)
The small community of Lake Sherwood is situated in the mountains of Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. The man-made lake and surrounding forest land was used in the 1922 filming of Robin Hood, and as the setting for many subsequent movies. The house designed by Stacy-Judd for Neal Monroe contains many of his signature "Mayan" influences. With triangular windows, ornamental landscaping, and ornate interior details, this is one of Stacy-Judds' larger and most expensive private home commissions.
Robert Stacy-Judd, architect Donald Biddle Keyes, photographer
Robert Stacy-Judd was an architect, archeologist, and tireless promoter of himself and his work. These portraits exhibit how his persona of Mayan explorer informed his architectural explorations.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Armory (Williston, ND)
The National Guard Armory in Williston, North Dakota was designed by Stacy-Judd with a castle-like tower and turrets on either side of the entrances. The Armory was financed with a combination public, private, State, and National funds, since the community would use the Armory for community gatherings as well as the National Guard.
Robert Stacy-Judd, architect Olson, photographer
Robert Stacy-Judd: Empire Theater (Edmonton, Alberta)
In 1919, Stacy-Judd moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada and partnered with architect William B. Major to construct buildings in the rapidly growing area. The Empire Theater and Apartments in Edmonton contained a number of different architectural influences, from a Tudor exterior to an Arts and Crafts inspired lobby. Stacy-Judd had experience designing theaters in England, and he also designed the stage and elaborate auditorium paintings.
Robert Stacy-Judd, architect McDermid Photography, photographer William B. Major, architect
Robert Stacy-Judd: Lake Mead Recreation Area (Lake Mead, Nev.)
After the Hoover Dam was built in the mid-1930s, Lake Mead became a popular recreation area. Stacy-Judd put forth a proposal to the National Park Service for three tourist areas: Boulder Beach, Lost City, and Pierce Ferry. The handwritten caption for the first image above reads: "Lake Mead Recreational Area (U.S. Parks Dept.) Approx. 3 1/4 million acres. Consisting of three large resorts, approx. 150 miles apart, triangulating the Lake. Working drawings were completed and bids taken on much of the works when projects were postponed due to World War 2. Above, is Boulder Beach, spreads 4 1/2 miles along shore."
Lake Mead, Nev.; Boulder Beach, Nev.; Pierce's Ferry, Ariz.; Overton, Nev.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Hansen house (Santa Monica, Calif.)
This house possibly located on San Vicente in Santa Monica, features a board and batten exterior, painted light green. Unusual features include a large circular front door and a flat-roofed house volume contrasting with a more traditional gabled roof.
Brentwood Heights, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Morris Plan Bank (Long Beach, Calif.)
The Morris Plan Bank was a national banking system which primarily loaned money to middle-class people who had trouble obtaining regular loans. The Bank was started in Virginia in 1910, and soon had locations all across the country, including Los Angeles and Long Beach. This bank was possibly located on Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Stacy-Judd house (Minot, ND)
The house Robert Stacy-Judd designed and built for himself and his first wife is a modified Swiss Chalet style house. It has a raised floor plan, where the main living area is on the second floor, with bedrooms and integrated garage on the lower level. It was located on a large plot of land near the corner of Springfield Avenue and Robert Street NE (a note on a map in the files suggests the street was named after Stacy-Judd).
Robert Stacy-Judd: Streets of All Nations
The unbuilt "Streets of All Nations" project was designed as a large-scale commercial enterprise. Stacy-Judd designed restaurants, motels, theaters, churches and temples, art galleries, and residences all grouped by country and architectural style. He blended a number of different styles, including Art Deco, Modern, and Mayan, as well as regional styles like Swiss Chalet and Indian.
Robert Stacy-Judd: Twin Lakes Park (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Twin Lakes Park was a resort development featuring two man-made lakes. Stacy-Judd designed the entrance gate in Mayan style, on the aptly named Mayan Road. He also designed the clubhouse and a few "Aztec" style cabins. Unfortunately, the lakes have been drained and filled in, and both the gate and clubhouse have been demolished when the 118 freeway was expanded.
Robert Stacy-Judd: National Hall project (Los Angeles, Calif.)
The National Hall project, for the client Paramount Group, was a group of buildings two city blocks square, at the corner of Sunset and Vine in Hollywood. The project was to include a 23,000 seat auditorium, a 13-story department store, office buildings, hotel, and a 2,500 seat theater. Each of these components was to feature Stacy-Judd's signature "Mayan" style decorative motifs.