Max Bond, Jr. (1935-2009)
When J. Max Bond, Jr. was a student at Harvard, racists burned a cross outside his dormitory. Concerned, a white professor at the University advised Bond to abandon his dream of becoming an architect.
Years later, in an interview for the Washington Post, Bond recalled his professor saying, “There have never been any famous, prominent black architects… You’d be wise to choose another profession.” Fortunately, Bond had spent a summer working for African-American architect Paul Williams, and he knew that he could overcome racial stereotypes.
After graduating from Harvard, Bond designed many office buildings, libraries, and university research facilities in the United States. He worked on buildings designed by the Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier, and also designed some buildings in Ghana and Zimbabwe. He became a fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and an inspiration to young minorities in his architecture classes at Columbia and City University.
Prominent Projects:
- Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama
- Martin Luther King Jr. crypt and memorial in Atlanta, Georgia
- A controversial modernist expansion of the Harvard Club in midtown Manhattan
- The Bolgatanga Regional Library in Ghana, which provided a unique roof design that provided natural ventilation
- With his firm, Davis Brody Bond Aedas, helped flesh out plans for the September 11 Memorial Museum
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Old Photographs of Los Angeles
I get thrilled every time I see old photographs of the city of Los Angeles. I think it has to do with the rapid growth and transformation of the city’s landscape over the last century. My favorite place to see old photos is the building and safety department in Beverly Hills, where some of the walls show old photos of famous street intersections. The changes that have taken place in the last 50 years are simply incredible.
If you are like me, you will most definitely enjoy the following links:
Los Angeles, before sigalert: A collection of 31 photos
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A Visit to Old Los Angeles and Environs: An amazing collection of photos and stories
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Photographs of Historic Los Angeles: From the library of Congress photo collection
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Los Angeles Public Library: This Internet-accessible collection is one of the treasures of the Central Library.
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Online Permit Services for Los Angeles Residents
Whether you are a homeowner interested in knowing about your property or want to build or add to your property, this links from the LADBS are a great source of information.
Parcel Profile Report
A system that displays the zoning and other information of parcels within the city of Los Angeles.
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NavigateLA
A web-based mapping application that delivers maps and reports based on data supplied by various City departments.
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Codes and Interpretations
Construction codes adopted by the City of Los Angeles.
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Research Reports
A system to search for “Research Reports” that approve the use of building, electrical, and mechanical products within the City of Los Angeles.
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Standard Plans
A list of structures such as patio covers, signs, stairways and swimming pools which are built repeatedly and have similar design specifications.
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Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Through a network of 90 Neighborhood Councils, the City promotes public participation in government and works to improve government responsiveness to local concerns.
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