city of los angelesclkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-1464_rpt_chc_10-28-13.pdf1) the building...
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DEPARTMENT OFCITY PLANNING
OFFICE OF HISTORIC RESOURCES200 N. SPR!NG STREET, ROOM 620
los ANGELES, CA 90012-4801(213) 978-1200
EXECUTIVE OFFICES
CITY OF Los ANGELESCALIFORNIA
TARA 1. HAMACHERGAlL KENNARDozscon
MICHAEL LOGRANDEDIRECTOR'
(213) 978-1271
AlAN BELL, AlCPDEPUTY DIREOOR
(213) 978-1272
USA WEBBER, AICPDEPUTY DIRECTOR
(213) 978-1274
EVA YUAN-MCDANIELDEPUTY DlRECfOR
(213) 978-1273
FAX: (213) 978-1275
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION
RICHARD BARRONPRSSIDENT
ROElLA H. LOUIEVICE-PRESIDENT
FElY C. PiNGOLCOMMISSION EXECUTIVe ASSISTANT
(213) 978-1294
ERIC GARCETTIMAYOR
Date:OCT 282013
INFORMATION(213) 978-1270
www.planning ladty ora
Los Angeles City CouncilRoom 395, City Hall200 North Spring Street, Room 410Los Angeles, California 90012
Attention: Sharon Gin, Legislative AssistantPlanning and Land Use Management Committee
SUBJECT::-"_" '\, "1::-::' . '.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC) FACILITIESVARIOUS LOCATIONS
At the Cultural Heritage Commission meeting of October 17, 2013, the Commission moved to include theabove properties in the list of Historic-Cultural Monument, subject to adoption by the City Council.
As required under the provisions of Section 22.171.10 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, theCommission has solicited opinions and information from the office of the Council District in which the site islocated and from any Department or Bureau of the city whose operations may be affected by the designationof such site as a Historic-Cultural Monument. Such designation in and of itself has no fiscal impact. Futureapplications for permits may cause minimal administrative costs.
The City Council, according to the guidelines set forth in Section 22.171 of the Los Angeles AdministrativeCode, shall act on the proposed inclusion to the list within 90 days of the Council or Commission action,whichever first occurs. By resolution, the Council may extend the period for good cause for an additional 15days.
The Cultural Heritage Commission would appreciate your inclusion of the subject modification to the list ofHistoric-Cultural Monuments upon adoption by the City Council.
The above Cultural Heritage Commission actions were taken by the following votes:
CHC-2013-2387-HCM .GEORGE F. BOVARD ADMINISTRATION Bl.fI.LDING3551 TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Commissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
Vote: 3-0
ALfldiQ---·---A8
>H::13lJkUJ
ttl:6 WI! as 130rlaz
Los Angeles City Council Page 2
CHC-2013-2419-HCMGYWNN WILSON STUDENT UNION3535 S. FIGUEROA STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2397 -HCMMUDD MEMORIAL HALL OF PHILOSOPHY3709 S. UNIVERSITY AVENUE
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2392-HCMPHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING3560 S. WATT WAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2394-HCMDOHENY MEMORIAL LIBRARY3550 TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2399-HCMALLAN HANCOCK FOUNDATION3616 S. TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
Los Angeles City Council Page 3
CHC-2013-2401-HCMOLIN HALL OF ENGINEERING3650 McCLINTOCK AVENUE
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2403-HCMUNIVERSITY RELIGIOUS CENTER835 W. 34TH STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2405-HCMVON KLEINSMID CENTER3518 S. TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2408-HCMANNENBERG SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS3502 S. WATT WAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2411-HCM3440 SOUTH HOPE STREET BUILDING3440 S. HOPE STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
Los Angeles City Council Page 4
CHC·2013·2415·HCMDOSAN AHN CHANG HO FAMILY HOME809 W. 34TH STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioners Louie and Scott
Vote: 3·0
Attachment: Applications
c: Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. , Ninth Council DistrictBrian LeagueHistoric Resources GroupGIS
DEPARTMENT OFCITY PLANNING
OffiCE OF HISTORIC RESOURCES200 N. SPRlNGSTREET,ROOM 620los ANGELES,CA 90012~4801
(213) 978·1200
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION
RICHARD BARRONPRESIDENT
ROELLA H. LOUIEVlce-PRESIDENT
TARA J. HAMACHERGAlL KENNARDozscon
FELY C. PINGOlCOMMISSION EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
(213) 978-1294
Date:
EXECUTIVE OFFICES
CITY OF Los ANGELESCALIFORNIA
Michael LoGRANDEDlRECTOR
(213) 978-1271
ALAN BELl, AICPOEPUTY DIRECTOR
(213) 978-1272
LISA WEBBER, AlCPDEPUTY DIRECTOR
(213) 978-1274
EVA YUAN-MCDANIELDEPUTY DlRECTOR
(213) 978-1273
FAX: (213) 978-1275ERIC GARCETTI
MAYOR
OCT28 2013INFORMATION(213) 978-1270
www.p!anningJacity.org
Brian LeagueExecutive Director Real Estate Development3335 S.Figueroa Street, Unit GLos Angeles, CA 90007
SUBJECT":
CERTIFIED MAILRETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN (USC) FACILITIESVARIOUS LOCATIONS'
As you will note from the attached copy of our communication to the Los Angeles City Council, theCultural Heritage Commission has moved to include the above-referenced properties in the list of Historic-Cultural monuments, subject to adoption by the City Council.
In due course, our transmittal will be given a council file number and will be referred to the Council'sPlanning and Land Use Management Committee for reviewand recommendation. If you are interested inattending the Council Committee meeting, you should call Sharon Gin at (213) 978-1074 for informationas to the time and place of the Committee and City Council meetings regarding this matter. Please giveMs. Gin at least one week from the date of this letter to schedule this item on the Committee Agendabefore you call her.
The above Cultural Heritage Commission actions were taken by the following votes:
CHC-2013-2387 -HCMGEORGE F. BovARD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING3551 TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2419-HCMGYWNN WILSON STUDENT UNION3535 S. FIGUEROA STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner Kennard" "Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
Brian League Page 2
CHC-2013-2397 -HCMMUDD MEMORIAL HALL OFPHILOS()PHY3709 S. UNIVERSITY AVENUE
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2392-HCMPHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING3560 S. WATT WAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2394-HCMDOHENY MEMORIAL LIBRARY3550 TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
CHC-2013-2399-HCMALLAN HANCOCK FOUNDATION3616 S. TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3-0
Brian League Page 3
CHC·2013·2401·HCMOLIN HALL OF ENGINEERING3650 McCLINTOCK AVENUE
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3·0
CHC·2013·2403·HCMUNIVERSITY RELIGIOUS CENTER835 W. 34TH STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3·0
CHC·2013·2405·HCMVON KLEINSMIO CENTER3518 S. TROUSDALE PARKWAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner BarronCommissioner KennardCommissioners Louie and Scott
3·0
CHC·2013·2408·HCMANNENBERG SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS3502 S. WATT WAY
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioners Louie and Scott
3·0
CHC-2013-2411-HCM3440 SOUTH HOPE STREET BUILDING3440 S. HOPE STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Vote:
Commissioner HamacherCommissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioners Louie and Scott
3·0
Brian League Page 4
CHC-2013-2415-HCMDOSAN AHN CHANG HO FAMILY HOME809 W. 34TH STREET
Moved:Seconded:Ayes:Absent:
Commissioner KennardCommissioner BarronCommissioner HamacherCommissioners Louie and Scott
Vote: 3-0
Fely C. i 01, mmission Executive AssistantCultural Heritage Commission
Attachment: Applications
c: Councilmember Curren D. Price, Ninth Council DistrictHistoric Resources GroupGIS
Los Angeles Department of City PlanningRECOMMENDATION REPORT
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC-2013-2387-HCMENV-2013-2388-CE
DATE:TIME:PLACE:
October 17, 201310:00 AMCity Hall, Room 1010200 N. Spring StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012
Location: 3551 Trousdale Parkway.Council District: 9Community Plan Area: South Los AngelesArea Planning Commission: South Los AngelesNeighborhood Council: Empowerment CongressNorth AreaLegal Description: Tract 10616
PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for theGEORGE F. BOVARD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
REQUEST: Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument
APPLICANT! University of Southern California (USC)OWNER:
Brian League, Executive Director Real Estate DevelopmentUniversity of Southern California3335 S. Figueroa St., Unit GLos Angeles, CA 90007
OWNI:R'SREPRESENTATIVE:
Historic Resources Group12 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Suite 200Pasadena,CA 91105
RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission:
1. Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles AdministrativeCode Chapter 9; Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.7.
2. Adopt the report findings.
MICHAEL J. LOGRANDEDirector of Planning
t~Ken Bernstein, AICP, ManagerOffice of Historic Resources
Larnbert M. Giessinger, Preservation ArchitectOffice of Historic Resources
Attachments: Historic-Cultural Monument Application
CHC-2013-2387-HCM3551 S. Trousdale Parkway Page20f3
FINDINGS
1) The building "embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural typespecimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction" asan example of the Italian Romanesque Revival Style.
2) The building "is associated with a master builder, designer, or architect," as a work bythe architectural firm Parkinson & Parkinson.
3) The property reflects "the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, Stateor community" for its association with the Parkinson & Parkinson Master Plan of theUSC campus.
CRITERIA
The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monumentas any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure ofparticular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structuresor sites in which the broad CUltural,economic, or social history of the nation, State or communityis reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with importantevents in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishingcharacteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period styleor method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whoseindividual genius influenced his age.
SUMMARY
Constructed in 1921, this three-story institutional building exhibits character-defining features ofthe Italian Romanesque Revival Style. The Bovard Administration Building is a symmetricallycomposed, rectangular-plan building prominently situated in the University of SouthernCalifornia's University Park campus. The exterior is clad in varied shades of brick laid in Dutchbond. The main east-facing facade is dominated by a central, square clock tower with apyramidal roof, flanked by arcades on the left and right bay. Arched, divided-light, double-hungwood sash windows with cast-stone surrounds are located at the second and third stories.Secondary facades have arched windows on the first story; double hung windows with stonesills and lintels on the second story; and arched double-hunq windows on the third story. Thebuilding also contains two interior courtyards. Significant architectural details include eightstone figures atop brick pilasters of historic figures. The historic figures depicted represent the"Progress of Civilization" and were designed by artist Casper Gruenfeld.
The University of Southern California, founded in 1880, implemented four campus master plansin 1919, 1946, 1960, and 1988. The Bovard Administration Building was constructed as part ofthe University's first building campaign, the Parkinson's Master Plan of 1919. The preeminentfirm, Parkinson & Parkinson designed both the Master Plan and the subject building.Parkinson's plan drew on the Beaux Arts tradition with buildings designed in the RomanesqueRevival style. The plan's principal organizational feature is the linear arrangement of buildingsalong University Avenue (now Trousdale Parkway) designed to accommodate increasingautomobile use.
CHC-2013-2387 -HCM3551 S. Trousdale Parkway Page30f3
Originally housing administrative offices, an auditorium, and classrooms, it now contains theoffice of the President and the Provost, and other administrative spaces.
The subject building's auditorium underwent renovations in 1979.
DISCUSSION
The George F. Bovard Administration Building historic property successfully meets three of thespecified Historic-Cultural Monument criteria: 1) "embodies the distinguishing characteristics ofan architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method ofconstruction," 2) "is associated with a master builder, designer, or architect" and, 3) reflects "thebroad CUltural, economic, or social history of the nation, state or community." As arepresentative of the Italian Romanesque Revival Style, designed by architectural firmParkinson & Parkinson, and part of the Parkinson & Parkinson Master Plan of the USC campus,the property qualifies for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument based on these criteria.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ("CEQA") REVIEW
State of California CEQA Guidelines, Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 "consists of actionstaken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure themaintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatoryprocess involves procedures for protection of the environment."
State of California CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15331, Class 31 "consists of projectslimited to maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation,conservation or reconstruction of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretaryof the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines forPreserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic buildings."
The designation of the George F. Bovard Administration Building property as a Historic-CulturalMonument in accordance with Chapter 9, Article 1, of The City of Los Angeles AdministrativeCode ("LAAC") will ensure that future construction activities involving the subject property arerequlated in accordance with Section 22.171.14 of the LAAC. The purpose of the designation isto prevent significant impacts to a Historic-Cultural Monument through the application of thestandards set forth in the LAAC. Without the regulation imposed by way of the pendingdesignation, the historic Significance and integrity of the subject property could be lost throughincompatible alterations and new construction and the demolition of irreplaceable historicstructures. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards of Rehabilitation are expresslyincorporated into the LAAC and provide standards concerning the historically appropriateconstruction activities which will ensure the continued preservation of the subject property.
The use of Categorical Exemption Class 8 in connection with the proposed desiqnation isconsistent with the goals of maintaining, restoring, enhancing, and protecting the environmentthrough the imposition of regulations designed to prevent the degradation of Historic-CulturalMonuments.
The use of Categorical Exemption Class 31 in connection with the proposed designation isconsistent with the goals relating to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration andreconstruction of Historic buildings in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior'sStandards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving Rehabilitating,Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
HISTORiC-CULTURAL MONUMENT
ApPLICA TION
TYPE OR HAND PRINT IN ALL CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS
IDENTJFlCATION
I. NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT G.:e_or.::9.;e_F_._B_°_va_r_d.;A:.:.d.,m.:ln., i.;st.;ra:.:.t:.:.io:.:.n.;B:.:.u:.:.i1.:di:.:.n"g _
2. STREET ADDRESS 3551 Trousdale Parkway
CITY -"L"'os"-.!:JA"'ng"'e"'I"'es'- ZlP CODE _---'9"'0"'0,,89"-_ COUNCIL DISTRICT __ ~9,-- __
3. ASSESSOR'S PARCELNO. .Q5l,<03oll9;aOu2:!140lLIJ16L. _
4. COMPLETE LEGAL DESCIUPTION, TRACT luO"'6u1y6 _
BLOCK -'N"o"'n-'-"e'- LO,T(S) -'N..:;o"'n~e'- ARB. NO. _
5. RANGE OF ADDRESSES ON PROPERTY 820,840,830,830 W. 34th, 3450,3600 S Watt Way, 3441,3501,3507 S.
Trousdale
6. PRESENT OWNER University of Southern California (Brian League; Executive Director Real Estate Development)
STREETADDRESS .::3~3~3~5.::S~.~F~ig~u~e~ro~a~S~t.L,~U~n~it.::G~__ -£E~_~~iA~IL~AkD~D~RE~<S~S~:__ ~b=~~ag~u~e~@~r~e~.u~sc=.e=d=U~__
CITY -=Lo"'s:-;A..:;n"'9ce:.:le::;cs STATE CA ZIP CODE 90007 PHONE (213) 740-3067
OWNERSHIP: PRlVATEc.. X~ _ PUBUC~ _
7. PRESENT USE --'.:A~ca:::d~e~m~i:::c ORlGlNAL USE ---1::lA!<Jca"-'d~ernmwi"-c _
DESCRIPTION
8. ARCHITECTURALSTYLE ~R~o~m~a~n~e~s~q~ue~R~e~v~iv~a~I __(SEE STYLE GUIDE)
9. STATEPRESENT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE OR S'rRUCTIJRE (SEE O!'flONAL DOClUrnON WORK SHEEf. t PAGE """!MUM)
See attached.
HISTORfVCUtTURAL MONUMENTAPPUCATION
HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENTApPLICATION
NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT G=e",o"r9"e:.cFc..'c.:B::.o::.V:.:8::r",d.:-A.::d::.m",i",n.::is",tr..::a",ti",o:.:.o..::B",u:::iI::.d::io,,9,-__
10. CONSTRUCTION DATE, -".;."?:...1'- FAC11JAL t7J ESTIMATED: 0
11. ARCHITECT, DESIGNER, OR ENGINEER -,-A-"r",ch",it",,,,,,ct,,-:.:oJ,,,oh:.!!o.!..P,-a,,,,r,,,k!!,in,,,s~on,,- _
12. CONTRACTOR OR OTl"IER BUILDER-'-Ul.l.o"'kuoo"w=o _
13. DATES OF ENCLOSED P!-IOTOGRAPHS June 2013(1. SXiO BI.,ACKi:\l."I.D WHTrE GLOSSY /,\ND"j orcrre E-I."I£:..\lLEDTO CULTUML. HEIUTi1.GE Co.~IISS[ON@L."'C1TY.ORG)
14. CONDITION: Ll EXCELLENT R'iCOOD o FAIR oDETERIORATED LI NO LONGER IN EXlSTENCE
15.ALTERATIONS,~S~"~eua~t~la~c~he~d~. _
16. lliREATS TO SITE: IZlNONE KNOWN 0 PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT 0 VANDALISM 0 PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT
OWNING OOTHER _
17. IS llill STRUCTURE: 10ON ITS OR1CINAL SITE 0 MOVED 0 UNKNOWN
SIGNIFICANCE
18. BRIEFLY STATE HISTOlUCAL AND/OR ARCHITFOUML IMPORTANCE: INCLUDE DATES, EVENTS, AND PERSON ASSOCIATED
WITH THE SITE (SSE ALSO S!GNIFICANCE WORK SHEIIT. 750 WORDS MAXIMUM IF USING ADDITIONAL SHEETS)
See attached.
19. SOURCES (UST BOOKS,DOCUMENTS, SURVEYS, PERSONAL lmERVlEWS WITH DATES) _
See attached.
20. DATE FORM PREPARED -'O"'6"'/3"'0,,1=20"'1!..:3'- PREPARER'S NAME Christioe Lazzaretto, Judy Marks
ORGANIZATION Historic Resources Group STREET ADDRESS 12 South Fair Oaks Suile 200
CITY -'P-"a"'s"'ad"'e"'n"'a'-- -"STAJE CA ZIP CODE 9""1u1",0,,,5__ PHONE (6.2fi)liJ3-2400
E~MAILADDRESS: "'ch"'rl'''''I....n e..;:@::.h''-ls''''o:...rlc-'-I.;;...c_o-'m _
HISTORIC·CtlLTURAL MONUMENTAP~UCATION
9. Phvsical Description
constructed in 1921, the Bovard Administration Building is located on the University Park campus oftheUniversity of Southern California (USc). It was designed by architect John Parkinson of the firmParkinson & Parkinson. Parkinson was responsible for USC's 1919 Campus Master Plan. In addition todrafting the campus plan, Parkinson served as architect of many of the new campus buildings, workingalongside his son, Donald. The Parkinson firm designed six campus buildings during this period, includingthe Science Building and Addition (1924/28), the Law Building (1925), now the school of Accounting),the Commerce Building (1927), now Bridge Hall, Gwynn Wilson Student Union (1928), the PhysicalEducation Building (1930), and the Engineering Building (1940), now Biegler Hall.
The Bovard Administration Buildingoriginally housed administrative offices, the department ofinstruction, an auditorium, and numerous classrooms. it now contains university administrative space,including the office of the President and the Provost. The building is Italian Romanesque Revival in style.It is three-stories over a basement, and clad in brick of varying shades of brown and purple laid in Dutchbond. The roofs are covered with mission tiles. The building is symmetrically composed and containstwo interior courtyards. The primary facade faces east and is dominated by a central squared clocktower with a pyramidal roof and eight historical stone figures atop brick pilasters. Representing the"Progress of Civilization," the eight figures were designed by Casper Gruenfeld and represent: JohnWesley, founder of Methodism, and Mathew Simpson, Methodist bishop, friend of Abraham Uncoln,and the first President of DePauw University (east facade}; Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt(north facade]: Cicero, Roman orator and statesman, and Greek Philosopher Plato (west facade]: PhillipsBrooks, bishop of Massachusetts and best known for writing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem," and BordenParker Browne, Professor of Philosophy at Brown University and outspoken advocate of Personalism(south facade].
Arcaded corridors at the first story flank the main entrance, which has an arched decorative surround incast stone. Arched, divided-light, double-hung wood sash windows with cast-stone surrounds arelocated at the second and third stories. Secondary facades have arched windows with two-by-threecasements at the first story; six-aver-six, double-hung windows with stone sills and lintels at the secondstory; and arched, double-hung, divided-light windows with stone surrounds at the third story.
Character-defining features of the Bovard Administration Building include symmetrical massing; four-sided central tower; and interior courtyard; decorative brick and cast stone cladding; clay tile finishedhipped and pyramidal roofs; and copper and/or copper alloy flashings, gutters, scuppers, and rainleaders; decorative brickwork, brick pilasters, and cast stone carvings; paired and single arched woodsash divided-light windows, some with stone surrounds; wood sash divided light paired windows withstone sills and lintels; and arcaded corridors. A notable feature Is the arched opening at the mainentrance with cast stone and wood paneled doors.
Bovard Administration Building (ADM) USC,3551 Trousdale ParkwayCity of los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application 1
The Bovard Administration Building is an excellent example of Romanesque Revival architecture. It isone of the strongest examples of the Romanesque Revival style on campus, which was delineated byJohn Parkinson as an appropriate campus style In his 1919 Campus Plan. The Bovard AdministrationBuilding retains a high level of integrity.
15. Alterations
The auditorium of Bovard underwent renovations in 1979.
18. Significance
The Bovard Administration Building on the USCcampus is significa nt as an excellent focal example of theRomanesque Revival style, built by notable Los Angeles architect John Parkinson. It is an intactcontributor to John Parkinson's 1919 Campus Master Plan. The building has a high level of integrity, anda clear and direct association with the patterns of educational and architectural development of theUniversity.
Parkinson Master Plan
The University of Southern California, founded in 1880, had four major development periods. Theyencompass the construction of Widney Hall in 1880, the first campus building, through the completionof the Annenberg School of Communication in 1976. The Bovard Administration Building wasconstructed under the auspices of the Parkinson Master Plan of 1919, and designed by the architect of
that plan. The implementation of the Parkinson Plan represents the first prolific building campaign ofUSC'shistory, and it was during this time that an overarching campus architectural style began to takehold.
In the early twentieth century, the University Park campus continued to expand its enrollment andacademic programming. As a result, by the first decade of the twentieth century, USCofficials realized
that a cohesive plan was needed to guide future development of the burgeoning University. In 1919,they enlisted local architect John Parkinson to draft a campus plan. The implementation of the ParkinsonPlan led to a campus building boom in the 1920s, particularly along the east and west sides of UniversityAvenue.
Parkinson's plan for USCdrew heavily on Beaux Arts traditions and brought the campus up to moderncampus planning standards. Under his guidance, the new campus had a linear arrangement alongUniversity Avenue (now Trousdale Parkway), a broad street that connected Exposition Park to
downtown Los Angeles. The arrangement of University buildings along a busy street created anautomobile, rather than a pedestrian, oriented campus, considered appropriate for Los Angeles' ascent
into the automobile age. Imposing campus buildings were situated adjacent to University Avenue, theirfacades fronted by broad plazas crisscrossed with lawns and diagonal walkways. The Parkinson campusis still identifiable today along Trousdale Parkway, and serves as USC'shistoric core. Fluent in a numberof architectural styles, John Parkinson chose the Romanesque Revival style for his buildings at USC,
Bovard Administration Building (ADM)USC,3551 Trousdale ParkwayCity of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application 2
which was well suited to the formality of the Beaux Arts plan of the campus while adhering to theMediterranean themes that prevailed in regional architecture at the time.
Architect John Porkinson
John Parkinson (1861-1935) received his early education in England where he served a six yearapprenticeship to a builder. He came to Canada in 1882 and started his professional life building fencesand stairs. After frustrating return to England in 1884, he moved to San Francisco to continue honing hisstair building and drawing skills. Hisearly career was spent in Seattle, Washington and the Napa valley.His experience in the academic world started in Seattle where he became the school board architect.After moving to los Angeles in 1894, he designed los Angeles' first class "A" office building, a fire proofsteel frame structure for the Homer laughlin company on Third and Broadway in downtown (1896). Hewas also responsible for the first los Angeles skyscraper; The Braly Block at Fourth and Spring Street,also known as the Continental building (1904). Parkinson combined state of the art technologicaladvances with decorative historic references. These early works positioned him well in the los Angelesmarket, and his practice thrived. Parkinson was a natural choice in creating a master plan for USCas hehad completed one for Exposition Park and designed the Rose Garden in 1912. George F. Bovard, USC'spresident, wanted a modern campus that retained the look of history and knew Parkinson was a goodchoice. Of the 21 buildings that Parkinson designed for USC,eight remain. The first building Parkinsonconstructed for USCwas The Bovard Adminstration 8uilding which was constructed in 1919.
In 1920, John Parkinson was joined by his son Donald; the two compromised the firm of Parkinson andParkinson. Donald studied engineering and architecture at the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology.Independently, Donald Parkinson planned buildings for the lockheed Aircraft Corporation and thelockheed Air Center. Parkinson & Parkinson were well respected los Angeles architects who wereresponsible for a number of the City's landmark buildings, including the los Angeles Memorial Coliseum(1921"23), Bullocks Wilshire Department Store (1928), los Angeles City Hall (1928),and Union StationPassenger Terminal (1934"39).
Parkinson's legacy was the ability to adapt different architectural styles to a wide array of structuresand thus majorly contributing to the elevation of los Angeles to a "world class city." Today, more thanfifty Parkinson designed buildings remain in downtown los Angeles.
Italian Romanesque Revival Architecture
The roots of Romanesque revival as a style can be traced to churches built in the 1840's. In many waysit was a reaction to the high Gothic Revival that preceded it. Rornanesque Revivalwas as lesspretentious than Gothic, and more suitable for civic uses like libraries, train stations, and places ofhigher learning. The Italian Romanesque Revivalstyle was first popularized in the United States throughthe work of Henry Hobson Richardson. Richardsonian Romanesque was characterized by heavy massing,and often utilized rough-hewn boulders and native building materials. The Italian Romanesque RevivalStyle as advocated by Parkinson for the USCcampus is characterized by high arches, banded beltcourses, and windows and entrances with round arched openings. The style as exemplified by the
Bovard Administration Building (ADM) USC,3551 Trousdale ParkwayCity of los Angeles Hlstorlc-Cultural Monument Application 3
Bovard Administration Building makes use of central clock tower with a monumental arched doorwayencased in cast stone, two interior courtyards, arched openings with cast stone surrounds, all of whichare characteristic of Romanesque Revivaldesign.
conclusion
The Bovard Administration Building is an excellent local example of Italian Renaissance Revivalarchitecture by master architect John Parkinson. It is a prominent example of USCcampus architectureconstructed under the 1919 Parkinson Campus Master Plan. It was identified as potentially eligible forlocal designation as pa rt of the environmental review for the USC2030 Master Plan that was approvedin 2012. This Historic Cultural-Monument application is part of the identified Mitigation Measures forthe Master Pian.
19. Sources
Arntzenius, linda. "The City that John Built," USC Trojan Family Magazine, Autumn 1994, p. 24 -30.
Gebhard, David, and Robert Winter. Los Angeles: An Architectural Guide. Salt lake City:Gibbs-Smith Publishers, 1994.
Lifton, Sarah, and Annette Moore. The University of Southern California: 1880 to 2005.los Angeles: Figueroa Press, 2007.
Rifkind,Carole. A Field Guide to American Architecture. New York:The New Americanlibrary, 1980.
Roseman, Curtis c., Ruth Wallach, et al. A University and a Neighbarhood: University ofSouthern California in Los Angeles, 1880-1984. los Angeles: Figueroa Press,2005.
Whiffen, Marcus. /)merlcan Architecture Since 1780: A Guide to the Styles. Cambridge:The MITPress, 1959.
Bovard Administration Building (ADM) USC,3551 Trousdale ParkwayCity of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application 4
Los Angeles Department of City PlanningRECOMMENDATION REPORT
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC-2013-2387-HCMENV-2013-2388-CE
DATE:TIME:PLACE:
October 17,201310;00 AMCity Hall, Room 1010200 N. Spring StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012
Location; 3551 Trousdale Parkway.Council District: 9Community Plan Area: South Los AngelesArea Planning Commission: South Los AngelesNeighborhood Council: Empowerment CongressNorth AreaLegal Description: Tract 10616
PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for theGEORGE F. BOVARD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
REQUEST:
APPLICANTIOWNER:
Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument
University of Southern California (USC)
Brian League, Executive Director Real Estate DevelopmentUniversity of Southern California3335 S. Figueroa St., Unit GLos Angeles, CA 90007
OWNER'SREPRESENTATIVE:
Historic Resources Group12 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Suite 200Pasadena,CA 91105
RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission:
1. Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles AdministrativeCode Chapter 9;.Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.7.
2. Adopt the report findings.
MICHAEL J. LOGRANDEDirector of Planning
fw~Ken Bernstein, AICP, ManagerOffice of Historic Resources
Lambert M. Giessinger, Preservation ArchitectOffice of Historic Resources
Attachments: Historic-Cultural Monument Application
CHC-2013-2387 -HCM3551 S. Trousdale Parkway Page2of3
FINDINGS
1) The building "embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural typespecimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction" asan example of the Italian Romanesque Revival Style.
2) The building "is associated with a master builder, designer, or architect," as a work bythe architectural firm Parkinson & Parkinson.
3) The property reflects "the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, Stateor community" for its association with the Parkinson & Parkinson Master Plan of theUSC campus.
CRITERIA
The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monumentas any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure ofparticular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structuresor sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or communityis reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with importantevents in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishingcharacteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period styleor method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whoseindividual genius influenced his age.
SUMMARY
Constructed in 1921, this three-story institutional building exhibits character-defining features ofthe Italian Romanesque Revival Style. The Bovard Administration Building is a symmetricallycomposed, rectangular-plan building prominently situated in the University of SouthemCalifornia's University Park campus. The exterior is clad in varied shades of brick laid in Dutchbond. The main east-facing facade is dominated by a central, square clock tower with apyramidal roof, flanked by arcades on the left and right bay. Arched, divided-light, double-hunqwood sash windows with cast-stone surrounds are located at the second and third stories.'Secondary facades have arched windows on the first story; double hung windows with stonesills and lintels on the second story; and arched double-hung windows on the third story. Thebuilding also contains two interior courtyards. Significant architectural details include eightstone figures atop brick pilasters of historic figures. The historic figures depicted represent the"Progress of Civilization" and were designed by artist Casper Gruenfeld.
The University of Southern Califomia, founded in 1880, implemented four campus master plansin 1919, 1946, 1960, and 1988. The Bovard Administration Building was constructed as part ofthe University's first building campaign, the Parkinson's Master Plan of 1919. The preeminentfirm, Parkinson & Parkinson designed both the Master Plan and the subject building.Parkinson's plan drew on the Beaux Arts tradition with buildings designed in the RomanesqueRevival style. The plan's principal organizational feature is the linear arrangement of buildingsalong University Avenue (now Trousdale Parkway) designed to accommodate increasingautomobile use.
CHC-2013-2387-HCM3551 S. Trousdale Parkway Page30f3
Originally housing administrative offices, an auditorium, and classrooms, it now contains theoffice of the President and the Provost, and other administrative spaces.
The subject building's auditorium underwent renovations in 1979.
DISCUSSION
The George F. Bovard Administration Building historic property successfully meets three of thespecified Historic-Cultural Monument criteria: 1) "embodies the distinguishing characteristics ofan architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method ofconstruction," 2) "is associated with a master builder, designer, or architect" and. 3) reflects "thebroad cultural. economic, or social history of the nation, State or community." As arepresentative of the Italian Romanesque Revival Style, designed by architectural firmParkinson & Parkinson, and part of the Parkinson & Parkinson Master Plan of the USC campus,the property qualifies for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument based on these criteria.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ("CEQA") REVIEW
State of California CEOA Guidelines, Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 "consists of actionstaken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure themaintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatoryprocess involves procedures for protection of the environment."
State of California CEOA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15331, Class 31 "consists of projectslimited to maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation,conservation or reconstruction of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretaryof the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines forPreserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic buildings."
The designation of the George F. Bovard Administration Building property as a Historic-CulturalMonument in accordance with Chapter 9, Article 1, of The City of Los Angeles AdministrativeCode ("LAAC") will ensure that future construction activities involving the subject property areregulated in accordance with Section 22.171.14 of the LAAC. The purpose ofthe designation isto prevent significant impacts to a Historic-Cultural Monument through the application of thestandards set forth in the LAAC. Without the regulation imposed by way of the pendingdesiqnation, the historic Significance and integrity of the subject property could be lost throughincompatible alterations and new construction and the demolition of irreplaceable historicstructures. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards of Rehabilitation are expresslyincorporated into the LAAC and provide standards concerning the historically appropriateconstruction activities which will ensure the continued preservation of the subject property.
The use of Categorical Exemption Class 8 in connection with the proposed designation isconsistent with the goals of maintaining, restoring, enhancing, and protecting the environmentthrough the imposition of regulations designed to prevent the degradation of Historic-CulturalMonuments.
The use of Categorical Exemption Class 31 in connection with the proposed designation isconsistent with the goals relating to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration andreconstruction of Historic buildings in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior'sStandards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving Rehabilitating,Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
HISTORiC-CULTURAL MONUMENT
ApPLICA TlON
TYPE OR HAND PRINT IN ALL CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS
IDENTIFICATION
1. NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT G_e_or.::9:..:e_F_._B_o_va_r_d.'-A.:cd_m.'-l.'-ni.'-st:cra:..:t.:cio.'-n.'-B.:cu.:cil.'-di.:cn,,9_
2. STREETADDRESS ~3~5~51~T~ro~u~sd~a~l~e~P~a~rk~w~a~y _
CI1Y ----"L"0;,.s,,A,unH'ge"'I""es"- ZIP CODE_-,9,,0",0,,89~_ COUNCIL DISTRICf __ --l;9L.. __
3. ASSESSOR'SPARCELNO. Q!50>b3~9&O"'24frJOl[1ll6'_ _
4. COMPlEtE LEGAL DESCRwnON, TRACf __ ..J1"'06.JC16"- _
BLOCK -'N"'o""n-"e'- LOT(S) -'N"'o"'n"'e'- ARB. NO. _
5. RANGE OF ADDRESSESON PROPERTY 820,840,830,830 W. 34th, 3450,3600 S Watt Way, 3441,3501,3507 S.
Trousdale
6. PRESENTOWNER University of Southern California (Brian League; Executive Director Real Estate Development)
STREETADDRESS ~33~3~5~S~.~F~ig~u~e~ro~a~S~t.,~U~n~it~G~__ -£E~_~~~QMIL~AD~~D~RE&<~SS~:__ ~bl=e~ag~u~~~re=.u=s=c=.e~du~__
CITY_----L=:o:..::sc:.A.::.n"'gc:el"'e=-s-----STATE CA ZIP CODE 90007 PHONE (213) 740-3067
OWNERSHIP: PRlVATEc, -"X'-- _ PUBUr.~ __
7. PRESENTUSE -'-A~c::::ad~e::m~i"_c . ORIGINAL USE --"A!<ca'!!d,!!ewmwi"c _
DESCRIPTION
8. ARCHlTECfURALSTYLE ~R~o~m~a~n~e~s~g~u~e~R~e~v~iv~a~I _(SEE STYLE GUIDE)
9. STAIE PRESENTPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF TIlE srrs OR S'rRUCfURE (SEE OPTIONAL DECRIPTIONWORK SH"ltr.I PAGEMAX1MUMj
See attached.
HISTORlC-CULTURAt MONUMENTAPPLICATION
HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT
ApPLICATION
NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT G=6:::0"r9",6,-Fe.-.:..:B=-o=-v:.:a::r:::d.:..A:::do:.m"i:::n"is",tr:::a:::ti=-on:.:.,:;B"u",iI:::d=-in",9,_ __
10. CONSTRUCTION DATE,, ---"...;".:..?''- FACfUAL, m ESTIMATED, D
11. ARCHITECT, DESIGNER, OR ENGINEER .:..A."r",ch",it",e",ct".:",J""oh",o.!.,·'-Pa""r"'k"'in"'s"'on"- _
12. CONTRACTOR OR OTHER BUILDER-.J"Uu:ouskllOO!l'WmlO _
l3. DATES OF ENCLOSED Pl'lOTOGRAPHS June 2013(1. 8)(10 BLi\.CK;;\ND wmrs GLOSSY l\ND"! D!GITe.L E-l."£:.'l.ILEDTO cULTtJML HERITAGE Co.'d\\'!JSSIo-N@lACl'rY,ORG)
14. CONDITION, UEXCELLENT
15. ALTERATIONS See atiache!L _
o GOOD o FAIR o DETERIORATED NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE
16. lliREATS TO SITE, illNONE KNOWN DPRIVA:rE DEVELOPMENT 0 VANDAlJSM 0 PIIBUC WORKS PROJECT
o ZONING OOTHER . _
17. IS THE STRUCTURE, 0 ON ITS ORIGINAL SITE 0 MOVED 0 UNKNOWN
SIGNIFICANCE
18. BRIEFLY STATE HISTORICAL ANDIOR ARCHlTECIURAL L\1J?QRTANC& INCLUDE DATES, EVENTS, AND PERSON ASSOCrATED
\XIITH THE SITE (SEE ALSO SfGNIFiCANCE WORK. SHEET. 750 WORDS MAXIMUM IF USING ADDITIONAl-SHEETS)
See attached.
19, SOURCES (LIST BOOKS, DOCUMENTS, SURVEYS,PERSONAL lN1ERVIE'.'QSWI'fH DATES) _
See attached.
20. DATE FORM PREPARED -"0>;'6~/3~0'!c/2"'Oe..1lo.3'_ PREPARER'S NAi,,1E Christine Lazzaretto Judv Marks
ORGANIZATION Historic Resources Group STREET ADDRESS 12 South Fair Oaks Suite 200
CITy -'-P~as~a~d~e~o~a'_ . STATE CA ZIP CODE 91105 PHONE (B2fi) 793-2400
E~MAIL ADDRESS: c_h_ris_ti_ne...:@"h"'is"'to""r;,..ic!"s..;;co""m-'- _
HISTORIC-ctJlTUAAL MONUMENTAPPUCATION
9. Physical Description
constructed in 1921, the Bovard Administration Building is located on the University Park campus of theUniversity of Southern California (USC).It was designed by architect John Parkinson of the firmParkinson & Parkinson. Parkinson was responsible for USC's 1919 Campus Master Plan. In addition todrafting the campus plan, Parkinson served as architect of many of the new campus buildings, workingalongside his son, Donald. The Parkinson firm designed six campus buildings during this period, includingthe Science Building and Addition (1924/28), the Law Building (1925), now the School of Accounting),the Commerce Building (1927), now Bridge Hall, Gwynn Wilson Student Union (1928), the PhysicalEducation Building (1930), and the Engineering Building (1940), now Biegler Hall.
The Bovard Administration Buildingoriginally housed administrative offices, the department ofinstruction, an auditorium, and numerous classrooms. It now contains unIversity administrative space,including the office of the President and the Provost The building is Italian Romanesque Revival in style.It is three-stories over a basement, and clad in brick of varying shades of brown and purple laid In Dutchbond. The roofs are covered with mission tiles. The building is symmetrically composed and containstwo interior courtyards. The primary facade faces east and is dominated by a central squared clocktower with a pyramidal roof and eight historical stone figures atop brick pilasters. Representing the"Progress of Civilization," the eight figures were designed by Casper Gruenfeld and represent: JohnWesley, founder of Methodism, and Mathew Simpson, Methodist bishop, friend of Abraham Lincoln,and the first President of DePauw University (east facade): Abraham Uncoln and Theodore Roosevelt(north facade): Cicero, Roman orator and statesman, and Greek Philosopher Plato (west facade]: PhillipsBrooks, bishop of Massachusetts and best known for writing "Oh little Town of Bethlehem," and BordenParker Browne, Professor of Philosophy at Brown University and outspoken advocate of Personalism(south facade).
Arcaded corridors at the first story flank the main entrance, which has an arched decorative surround incast stone. Arched, divided-light, double-hung wood sash windows with cast-stone surrounds arelocated at the second and third stories. Secondary facades have arched windows with two-by-threecasements at the first story; six-over-six, double-hung windows with stone sills and lintels at the secondstory; and arched, double-hung, divided-light windows with stone surrounds at the third story.
Character-defining features of the Bovard Administration Building include symmetrical massing; four-sIded central tower; and interior courtyard; decorative brick and cast stone cladding; clay tile finishedhipped and pyramidal roofs; and copper and/or copper alloy flashings, gutters, scuppers, and rainleaders; decorative brickwork, brick pilasters, and cast stone carvings; paired and single arched woodsash divided-light Windows, some with stone surrounds; wood sash divided light paired Windows withstone sills and lintels; and arcaded corridors. A notable feature is the arched opening at the mainentrance with cast stone and wood paneled doors.
Bovard Administration Building (ADM) USC,3551 Trousdale ParkwayCity of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application 1
The Bovard Administration Building is an excellent example of Romanesque Revival architecture. It isone of the strongest examples of the Romanesque Revival style on campus, which was delineated byJohn Parkinson as an appropriate campus style In his 1919 Campus Plan. The Bovard AdministrationBuilding retains a high level of integrity.
15. Alterations
The auditorium of Bovard underwent renovations in 1979.
18. Significance
The Bovard Administration Building on the USCcampus is significa nt as an excellent local example of the
Romanesque Revival style, built by notable Los Angeles architect John Parkinson. It is an intactcontributor to John Parkinson's 1919 Campus Master Plan. The building has a high level of integrity, anda clear and direct association with the patterns of educational and architectural development of theUniversity.
Parkinson Master Plan
The University of Southern California, founded in 1880, had four major development periods. They
encompass the construction of Widney Hall in 1880, the first campus building, through the completionof the Annenberg School of Communication in 1976. The Bovard Administration Building wasconstructed under the auspices of the Parkinson Master Plan of 1919, and designed by the architect of
that plan. The implementation of the Parkinson Plan represents the first prolific building campaign ofUSC'shistory, and it was during this time that an overarchlng campus architectural style began to takehold.
In the early twentieth century, the University Park campus continued to expand its enrollment andacademic programming. As a result, by the first decade of the twentieth century, USCofficials realizedthat a cohesive plan was needed to guide future development of the burgeoning University. in 1919,they enlisted local architect John Parkinson to draft a campus plan. The implementation of the Parkinson
Plan led to a campus building boom in the 1920s, particularly along the east and west sides of UniversityAvenue.
Parkinson's plan for USCdrew heavily on Beaux Arts traditions and brought the campus up to moderncampus planning standards. Under his guidance, the new campus had a linear arrangement alongUniversity Avenue (now Trousdale Parkway), a broad street that connected Exposition Park to
downtown Los Angeles. The arrangement of University buildings along a busy street created anautomobile, rather than a pedestrian, oriented campus, considered appropriate for Los Angeles' ascent
into the automobile age. Imposing campus buildings were situated adjacent to Unlversitv Avenue, theirfacades fronted by broad plazas crisscrossed with lawns and diagonal walkways. The Parkinson campusis still identifiable today along Trousdale Parkway, and serves as USC'shistoric core. Fluent In a numberof architectural styles, John Parkinson chose the Romanesque Revival style for his buildings at USC,
Bovard Administration Building (ADM) USC,3S51 Trousdale ParkwayCity of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application 2
which was well suited to the formality of the Beaux Arts plan of the campus while adhering to theMediterranean themes that prevailed in regional architecture at the time.
ArchitectJohn Parkinson
John Parkinson (1861-1935) received his early education in England where he served a six yearapprenticeship to a builder. He came to Canada in 1882 and started his professional life building fencesand stairs. After frustrating return to England in 1884, he moved to San Francisco to continue honing hisstair building and drawing skills. His early career was spent in Seattle, Washington and the Napa valley.Hisexperience in the academic world started in Seattle where he became the school board architect.After moving to LosAngeles in 1894, he designed LosAngeles' first class "A" office building, a fire proofsteel frame structure for the Homer Laughlin company on Third and Broadway in downtown (1896). Hewas also responsible for the first LosAngeles skyscraper; The Braly Block at Fourth and Spring Street,also known as the Continental building (1904). Parkinson combined state of the art technologicaladvances with decorative historic references. These early works positioned him well in the los Angelesmarket, and his practice thrived. Parkinson was a natural choice in creating a master plan for USCas hehad completed one for Exposition Park and designed the Rose Garden in 1912. George F.Bovard, USC'spresident, wanted a modern campus that retained the look of history and knew Parkinson was a goodchoice. Of the 21 buildings that Parkinson designed for USC,eight remain. The first building Parkinsonconstructed for USCwas The Bovard Adminstration Building which was constructed in 1919.
In 1920, John Parkinson was joined by his son Donald; the two compromised the firm of Parkinson andParkinson. Donald studied engineering and architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Independently, Donald Parkinson planned buildings for the lockheed Aircraft Corporation and thelockheed Air Center. Parkinson & Parkinson were well respected LosAngeles architects who wereresponsible for a number of the City's landmark buildings, including the LosAngeles Memorial Coliseum(1921-23), Bullocks Wilshire Department Store (1928), LosAngeles City Hall (1928),and Union StationPassenger Terminal (1934-39).
Parkinson's legacy was the ability to adapt different architectural styles to a wide array of structuresand thus majorly contributing to the elevation of LosAngeles to a "world class city." Today, more thanfifty Parkinson designed buildings remain in downtown LosAngeles.
Italian Romanesque Revival Architecture
The roots of Romanesque revival as a style can be traced to churches built in the 1840's. In many waysit was a reaction to the high Gothic Revival that preceded it. Romanesque Revival was as lesspretentious than Gothic, and more suitable for civic uses like libraries, train stations, and places ofhigher learning. The Italian Romanesque Revivalstyle was first popularized in the United States throughthe work of Henry Hobson Richardson. Richardsonian Romanesque was characterized by heavy massing,and often utilized rough-hewn boulders and native building materials. The Italian Romanesque RevivalStyle as advocated by Parkinson for the USCcampus is characterized by high arches, banded beltcourses, and windows and entrances with round arched openings. The style as exemplified by the
Bovard Administration Building (ADM) USC,3551 Trousdale ParkwayCity of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application 3
Bovard Administration Buildingmakes use of central dock tower with a monumental arched doorwayencased in cast stone, two interior courtyards, arched openings with cast stone surrounds, all of whichare characteristic of Romanesque Revivaldesign.
Conclusion
The Bovard Administration Building is an excellent local example of Italian Renaissance Revivalarchitecture by master architect John Parkinson. It Is a prominent example of USCcampus architectureconstructed under the 1919 Parkinson Campus Master Plan. It was identified as potentially eligible forlocal designation as part of the environmental review for the USC2030 Master Plan that was approvedIn 2012. This Historic Cultural-Monument application is part of the identified Mitigation Measures forthe Master Pian.
19. Sources
Arntzenius, Linda. "The Citythat John Built," USCTrojan Family Magazine, Autumn 1994, p. 24 -30.
Gebhard, David, and Robert Winter. LosAngeles: An Architecturol Guide. Salt lake City:Gibbs-Smith Publishers, 1994.
Lifton, Sarah, and Annette Moore. The University of Southern Colifomio: 1880 to 2005.los Angeles: Figueroa Press, 2007.
Rifkind,Carole. A Field Guide to American Architecture. New York:The New Americanlibrary, 1980.
Roseman, Curtis c., Ruth Wallach, et al. A University and a Neighbarhood: University ojSouthern California in LosAngeles, 1880-1984. LosAngeles: Figueroa Press,2006.
Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780: A Guide to the Styles. Cambridge:The MITPress, 1969.
BovardAdministration Building(ADM)USC,3551Trousdale ParkwayCityof LosAngelesHistoric-CulturalMonument Application 4