DOWNTOWN — A collection of Craftsman-style bungalows and a commercial building designed by renowned architect Paul Williams are just some of the landmarked structures that will be featured Sunday when the Santa Monica Conservancy presents the 2011 Preservation Awards.
The awards will be presented to residents, organizations and businesses for a host of projects that brought buildings back to life. The ceremony will start at 2 p.m. at the historic Church in Ocean Park.
“It is very gratifying to see the efforts of so many giving our architectural heritage new life,” said Carol Lemlein, president of the board of the conservancy. “By recognizing these accomplishments, the Santa Monica Conservancy holds up these projects as good examples of how historic preservation can contribute to Santa Monica’s vitality and attractiveness.”
The Restoration Award will be presented to Myra and Earl Pomerantz for exemplary restoration of their Craftsman bungalow, known as the landmark John and Anna George House, at 2424 Fourth St. This project pioneered a growing appreciation for historic preservation in Ocean Park in the early 1980s.
The owner of a historic Edwin Building at 310-312 Wilshire Blvd., American Commercial Equities LLC, will receive the Rehabilitation Award for preserving and rehabilitating “this small-scale jewel of a commercial building” designed by Williams in 1928, Lemlein said. The building was designated as a city landmark in 2008. Williams is best known for designing the Los Angeles International Airport and was the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects in 1923.
The Renovation Award goes to Sam Simon who preserved and renovated Case Study House #20, designed by Richard Neutra in 1948.
“This landmark of mid-Century design had deteriorated significantly over the years, but thanks to Mr. Simon who rescued and renewed it, the home continues as an important contributor to the architectural heritage,” Lemlein said.
The Adaptive Reuse Award recognizes the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica for converting an adjacent Craftsman bungalow into classrooms and a meeting space for its congregation, choosing preservation and adaptive reuse over demolition and new construction. The church, located at 1260 18th St., is also architecturally valuable, designed by local architect John Byers in the 1920s.
The Stewardship Award will be presented to Deborah Levin, for her dedication and leadership in preserving Hollister Court on Fourth Street, a dozen Craftsman bungalows grouped as a courtyard complex and designated as a city landmark. Since Levin purchased one of the bungalows 17 years ago, she has worked to save the homes from demolition, protected them from inappropriate remodeling, and provided guidance to other property owners in respectful rehabilitation of the homes, according to the conservancy.
In addition to the Preservation Awards, the conservancy will recognize seven individuals for their exemplary volunteer efforts as docents, helping to lead tours of historic landmarks every week.
For more information go to www.smconservancy.org or call (310) 496-3146.
Founded in 2002, the conservancy is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to promoting understanding of the cultural, social, economic and environmental benefits of preserving the historic resources of Santa Monica’s urban landscape.
kevinh@www.smdp.com
