It should come as no surprise that Pinellas County would be the Tampa Bay area's mecca for mid-century modern architecture as one of its most major land booms occurred after the Second World War and lasted until the early 1970's. In addition it is a beach community where image has always played a vital role in the commerce of selling such real estate to resident and vacationer alike.
As has been reported in previous editions of this column, the Tampa Bay area's mid-century modern architecture, with its ranch style homes, Googie restaurants and motels, and Brutalist multi story buildings is dying a slow death. Unlike architectural styles borrowed from the past, mid-century modern was in large part a new creation between the late 1940's and early 1970's. Both at home and in Western Europe it was largely symbolic of post War prosperity, optimism and exploration. It evoked sleek jet-age designs with an incredible use of different materials, colors and textures.
Over time, much of its uniqueness has been its downfall. Many people cling to tradition and their tastes in architecture seems no different. To many people, mid-century modern, particularly Googie, represents a somewhat unsophisticated pop culture kitsch and looks woefully dated. Much of my love for it is for those very reasons! It, along with other mid-century modern forms of architecture, were symbolic a very truly American culture that was still intoxicated with television, the drive in theater, tail-finned automobiles, the X-15, the neighborhood malt shop and an emerging new frontier of space.
Who could not be excited to live in such a time, even with the threat of nuclear annihilation the push of a button away?
With time, our architecture takes the bold step of moving from its description of "frozen music" to humankind's time capsule. This is not to say that the buildings in these next two columns are the Roman Coliseum, the Parthenon or the Gardens of Babylon. But like those creations, these structures are all remnants of what we once were, which is why all reasonable efforts should be made to preserve them whenever possible or practicable.
The photos in this and next week's edition were taken in Pinellas County, Florida between December 26, 2007 and January 2, 2008.
Next week: Our Pinellas County review of fabulous architecture concludes.
