Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Thornton Abell

Thornton Abell
Thornton Montaigne Abell (1906-1984) was a California-based architect. He was born in South Haven, Michigan, and educated at the University of Michigan, the University of California Berkeley and the University of Southern California where he graduated cum laude with a degree in architecture in 1931.

He worked as a designer for Clare C. Hosmer from 1925-1926, as a designer for Joseph J. Kucera from 1926-1927 and as a designer and chief draftsman for Marsh, Smith and Powell from 1930-1942. He opened his own office in 1944.

In 1947 he was asked to participate in the Case Study House Program. He designed and built Case Study House #7, which was completed in 1949.

From 1950-1952, Abell taught architecture and design at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, and from 1953-1965 he taught at the University of Southern California's School of Architecture.

From washington.edu and soloarquitectura.com


Case Study House #7
housing.com

Case Study House #7
traceblog.com

Adelman Residence, with O'Neil Ford - Beverly Hills, California
crosbydoe.com

Alternate view of Adelman Residence
crosbydoe.com

Interior of Adelman Residence
crosbydoe.com

LeBrun House - Malibu, California
latimes.com

Interior of LeBrun House
latimes.com

Rich House - Brentwood, California
kristenkilmerdesign.com

Interior of Rich House
kristenkilmerdesign.com

Siskin House - Brentwood, California
mosslerproperties.com

Thornton Abell Residence - Santa Monica, California
californiahomedesign.com

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10 comments:

  1. PippaOctober 16, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    Abell by name, Able by Architecture! Keep these posts coming Dana, as I don't think I have had enough! :)

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    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModOctober 16, 2012 at 12:57 AM

      I think I've become a postaholic, so I'm pretty sure I'll keep on writing long after I have anything to say. :)

      Delete
    2. UnknownOctober 16, 2012 at 1:11 AM

      Postaholic. Good one.

      Delete
    3. PippaOctober 16, 2012 at 4:35 AM

      Your not alone, postaholic anonymous!

      Delete
  2. UnknownOctober 16, 2012 at 1:11 AM

    Another of my USC architects! It is really amazing the talent that school was churning out.

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    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModOctober 16, 2012 at 1:38 AM

      I don't know what kind of an architecture department USC has now, but it must have been crazy good back then.

      Delete
  3. BeccalinaOctober 16, 2012 at 10:46 AM

    Wow...just wow. Now that is dream home....any one of them.

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    1. Dana@Mid2ModOctober 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM

      His designs are so beautiful that it's hard for me to understand why he isn't better known. After writing so many posts about architects, I'm beginning to decide that a big part of fame is about personality and self-promotion as much as it is talent.

      Delete
  4. KylieOctober 16, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    Every day's an education round here. Thanks Dana.
    You know the catch phrase dream home...well,these are mine.

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    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModOctober 16, 2012 at 11:04 PM

      They are definitely dreamy. I especially love the ones with open eaves and open rafter-style overhangs.

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