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Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects is a Los Angeles-based architecture firm led by Frederick B. Fisher, Joseph Coriaty, and David Ross.
Location: The Jones & Emmons Building
Located three miles from Santa Monica beach on the original Route 66, the offices of Frederick Fisher and Partners were designed and built by the California Modernist firm Jones and Emmons for use as their offices in 1955. The building was expanded to its current size of 7,500 square feet in 1959 as the firm grew. Architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick F. Emmons organized the building as a double height studio space with an interconnected series of low offices and conference areas. All parts of the building's interior face one of four distinct gardens. The loft-like studio has one entire wall of glass facing east. The exterior of the building is a dynamic series of volumes inter-played with concrete block walls, metal screens and glass. The interior space is defined by exposed wood structure, large areas of glass, wood paneling, radiant heated floors of concrete seeded with river pebbles, and a variety of built-in furniture. Multiple entrances and a second floor allow the building to be used by one, two, or three tenants.
The warmth and intimacy of Jones and Emmons’ residential work, including many Eichler homes, is found in the office environment. The spacial and material qualities, profusion of daylight, and strong connection to gardens create a workplace of exceptional comfort. Latent references to Japanese architecture such as panelized walls and floors; wood walls and ceilings; and small, walled rock gardens with bamboo are typical of the period. Visitors often remark on the domestic character of the building.
Fisher considers the building’s organization and aesthetics to be of enduring value and representative of his firm’s values fifty years after it was built. The integration of indoor and outdoor space, the expression of structure, day-lighting, and the use of organic materials are consistent with Fisher and Partners’ aesthetic sensibilities. Renovations were minimal, consisting mostly of refinishing surfaces and updating the mechanical system. Fisher consulted Jones’ widow, Elaine, on the restoration. Fifties era furnishings by George Nelson and the Eames, who were friends of Jones, complement the firm’s collection of contemporary art. The change from hand drafting to computers required reduction of daylight through screens.
While introverted from the adjacent streets, the building is open to its series of garden courtyards. Pamela Burton, Nancy Power and Jay Griffith each redesigned one of these gardens. Fisher considers each garden as an outdoor room with a distinct character. Mature eucalyptus trees and bamboo from the original planting are preserved.
The building’s place in local architectural history has been affirmed by its designation as a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2001 [1]. Members of the Fisher & Partners architectural staff still adhere to the original design intent and aesthetic of this landmark when making modern-day repairs.
References
- ^ Jones & Emmons Building, LA HCM Report - West Los Angeles, Monument Number 696