“Dream of Italy”. That’s what many scions did. Here at the Villa Casitas Arch Column, we see echoes of that dream.
Los Angeles embraced Mediterranean culture long ago. Educated and wealthy people looked to Italy for inspiration. They wanted to create their own version of the Italian Riviera right here in California.
Boosters believed coastal California would become “Our Italy”. Charles D Warner even wrote enticing descriptions in 1891. He captured this vision.
While Abbot Kinney’s Venice Beach folly stands out, builders used loggias and porticos. These architectural details evoked the mild Mediterranean climate. They were as common as olive trees and vineyards.
The arch and column, with their Roman roots, fostered a Mediterranean style. This style thrived well into the 1930s. Even place names like Palos Verdes reflect this influence. The name itself was coined in 1932.
Architect Wallace Neff designed villas that were often more Italian than Spanish. The Gard House had architectural details from rural villas in Tuscany. The Schoolcraft House featured tilework windows and doors brought directly from Italy.
Malaga Cove piazza boasts a 2/3 scale replica of the Fontana del Nettuno. The original dates back to 1563 in Bologna. William Wrigley “Mediterranean-ized” Avalon around 1934. Santa Barbara crafted a “Mediterranean” building code.
Frank Lloyd Wright drew inspiration from Mayan excavations. Meanwhile, European architects brought International Moderne to the area. Stark flat surfaces and geometric volumes made Mediterranean Historicism seem outdated.
But architectural tastes change. By the early Sixties, Robert Venturi and Michael Grave advocated for a return to complexity. They brought back Italian allusions. The affluent 1980s saw a rediscovery of Italian wine cuisine and design. It was upscale hip and stylish.
This new Italian wave is evident in the use of terracotta marble and tile. Arcades courtyards and fountains became popular again. New developments evoke Italian urban landscapes. The Getty Museum and grand malls like The Grove reflect this trend. Developers once again use Italian names like “Palazzo” and “Villas”.
So as you stand before the Villa Casitas Arch Column remember the enduring allure of Italy. Its influence has shaped Los Angeles architecture for over a century. This arch column is a testament to the dreams of those who sought to bring a touch of Italy to Southern California. It is a reminder of a timeless architectural style.