Krisel's Modern Motel: The Imperial '400' Motel

As folks began to venture forth across America during the mid-century years of the fifties, the need for accommodations grew also.  The nation's burgeoning highway system, now expanding rapidly with Eisenhower's nascent interstate network, saw the need for affordable lodging.

According to historian John Crosse, "companies such as Howard Johnson's, TraveLodge and Los Angeles-based Imperial '400' Motels saw an opportunity to fill that void and went on a nation-wide building spree."  Mr. Crosse documents the rise of the Imperial '400' Motel on his Southern California Architectural History blog.  He notes that the "Imperial '400' took note of the award-winning and extremely popular tract housing designed by Southern California architects Palmer & Krisel and in 1959 commissioned them to design a prototype motel and the rights to build using their design on four other sites."

Rendering for the prototype for the Imperial '400' Motel chain, Palmer & Krisel, 1959 (courtesy of the William Krisel Archive, Getty Research Institute)

William Krisel's signature butterfly roof design figured prominently in the architecture of the Imperial '400' Motel.  Crosse points out that this "design concept proved so wildly successful that Imperial immediately launched it's franchise campaign and began building motels with virtually the same design all across the United States."    


I am fortunate to live near one of these mid-century modern motels in State College, Pennsylvania.  Originally built in the '60s, the following Imperial '400' Motel still carries the '400' signage.  I snapped the following photos after briefly discussing the motel's history with the current owners.

Source, Mark Henderson

Source, Mark Henderson

You can find more Imperial '400' Motel photos and information at Agility Nut's Roadside Architecture, and Crosse's Southern California Architectural History blog.  Enjoy!

Architecture+Design Film Series 2010 in Denver

If you are in the Denver area during September and October 2010, be sure to check out the Colorado screening of the following films as part of the Architecture+Design Film Series:

- Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio on September 15
- Oscar Niemeyer, A Vida E Um Sopro on September 22
- Studio Gang Architects: Aqua Tower and Philip Johnson: Diary of an Eccentric Architect on September 29
- William Krisel, Architect on October 6
- Contemporary Days - The Designs of Lucienne & Robin Day on Ocotber 7.

According to the Architecture+Design website, folks can watch "the best in films on architecture and design at five special screening events, including stimulating discussions with dynamic filmmakers, architects, and design experts, plus receptions at Denver's liveliest venues."  Moreover, there will be "a new exhibition of architectural drawings at Emmanuel Gallery on the Auraria Campus."

So, mark your calendars and enjoy!

Las Vegas Modern

When I think of Las Vegas, I visualize many things such as, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the rest of the Rat Pack, Wayne Newton, extravagant casinos with equally outrageous shows, the Mob, mid-century modern structures and Googie signage.  Unfortunately, much of the mid-century modern and Googie-themed architecture in and around Vegas is disappearing to make way for a new generation of bigger architecture (most of which is bland in my opinion).  Architects like William Krisel, Paul Revere Williams, Welton Beckett, Dan Palmer and others helped make Las Vegas architecturally distinctive during the 50's and 60's.

If you are fortunate enough to be passing through "Sin City," and want a break from its vices then you should stop by the Mid-Century Modern in Las Vegas exhibit currently on display at the Nevada State Museum.  The museum is open from 9:00am until 5:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday and is located at 700 Twin Lakes Drive in Las Vegas.  At $4.00 for non-member adults, the admission is much better than gambling in the casinos.  Among the exhibit highlights are photographs by Jay Florian Mitchell who photographed the futuristic terminal pictured above at McCarran International Airport.

Mid-Century Modernism on Film

For those of you lucky enough to have traveled to Palm Springs for the annual Modernism Week, congratulations!  Since I was trapped by snow and work, I could only wish that I could have been there.  Perhaps, next year!  In the meantime I eagerly anticipate the following Design Onscreen films titled Desert Utopia: Mid-Century Architecture in Palm Springs, and William Krisel, Architect  when both are available for viewing in a theater nearby and on DVD.


Desert Utopia: Mid-Century Architecture in Palm Springs from Design Onscreen on Vimeo.


William Krisel, Architect from Design Onscreen on Vimeo.

Design Onscreen premiered various films during the annual celebration.  Visit Design Onscreen for more information on their films.