A & G Cafeteria (1968)

A & G Cafeteria 1968, 2627 Canal Street, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

The first A & G Restaurant in New Orleans opened in 1932 at the intersection of Canal and N. Broad streets. The original restaurant was replaced in 1947 with a new glass and brick building in the streamline moderne style. This building was significantly remodeled by August Perez and Associates and reopened as the A & G Cafeteria on November 21, 1968. The cafeteria has since been razed and replaced by a Rite Aid Pharmacy.
[photo: Tulane School of Architecture New Orleans Virtual Archive]

America Fore Insurance Group Building (1957)

America Fore Insurance Group Building, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

In 1956 construction began on a new four story contemporary structure on Canal Street. The commercial office building was designed by Curtis and Davis architects for the Canal Realty Corporation for the newly consolidated America Fore Insurance Group.

The ground floor lobby will boast special wall tiles imported from Italy. Wide terrazzo steps from the sidewalks to the lobby will be flanked by tropical landscaping extending the width of the building. Upper floors will be enclosed with brick masonry walls and aluminum framed glass curtain walls with insulated spandrel panels. The elevation on Canal will have horizontal balcony type sunshades with floating marble vertical sunshade panels between.

The America Fore Insurance Group building was completed in 1957. Curtis and Davis later designed three other buildings on Canal.

The Caribe Building (2475 Canal) was completed in 1958 and housed the offices of the architecture firm. The Automotive Life Building (4140 Canal) was completed in 1963. In 2010 it was designated a Historic Landmark by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission. The Rivergate (2 Canal) was completed in 1968 and demolished in 1995 for Harrah's Casino.

To learn more about modern architecture on Canal Street, please see DOCOMOMO Louisiana's Canal Streetcar tour.

Times-Picayune States Item 05-20-1956

Chapel of the Holy Spirit

Chapel of the Holy Spirit, photo by Francine Stock, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit at 1100 S. Broadway was originally designed as part of the Francis Lister Hawks Episcopal Student Center for Tulane-Newcomb and named for Rev. F.L. Hawks, first President of Tulane University. According to a brochure in the University Archives, the "contemporary architecture of the Chapel symbolizes hands folded in prayer."

The chapel was designed by architect Claude E. Hooton and completed in 1956. Mr. Hooton had previously designed the International Style Texaco Building at 1501 Canal Street. Hooton also worked as an associate architect with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill on the Pan American Life Insurance Company headquarters at 2400 Canal Street. Both the former Texaco Building and PALIC have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lecture on the French Quarter in the early 20th century

 

Party like it's 1952

1952 Beaux Arts Ball, Tulane School of Architecture Visual Media Archive

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM REGIONAL MODERNISM

Character study in Kodachrome

Joe Donaldson, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

I've had the distinct pleasure of sorting through old kodachromes recently. This is one of my favorites. It was in a collection of "People" at Tulane School of Architecture and dated 1952.

"Joe Donaldson taught one class in watercolor for part of the year. I don't remember much about him except he was quite a character. He was a very talented man and very talented in teaching. It was interesting to watch him talk, because he had this habit of chain smoking and smoking two or three cigarettes at one time not realizing he had them lit. He would be on the board with chalk and cigarettes between his fingers and trying to write with the cigarette on the board. it was quite an interesting site. He was a very good teacher, a very good artist."

Milton Scheuermann, Jr. (TSA 1956) in Talk About Architecture

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UPDATE 12/16/10

Joe Donaldson (1914-1997) was born in New Orleans and Studied art at the Chicago Art Institute and Tulane University as well as with Enrique Alferez. He participated in the WPA Fine Art project in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1950-1952 he taught drawing and painting at Tulane University School of Architecture. To read more and to view some of his drawings and paintings see the The Joseph Donaldson, Jr. Memorial On-line Museum.

Is there a future for the recent past in New Orleans?

Francine Stock, president of DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana, writes about the current situation of the mid-century public schools in the city. Either demolished or in danger of demolition, these structures represent a type of architecture that was forward thinking and innovative in the way they were built and used by the public. The process to discuss their future when they become obsolete has failed to provide a fair space to listen to new options. Can we establish another way of approaching this problem?

read more..... MAS Context 8 | PUBLIC WINTER 10