Edward H. Fickett
Encyclopedia
Edward Hale Fickett, FAIA
, (May 19, 1916 - May 21, 1999) was a nationally recognized, award-winning architect who was a consultant to federal and local governments in the United States
and to President Dwight D. Eisenhower
.
in 1937 with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. He furthered his studies at MIT and received three Master's Degrees: Architecture, Engineering and City Planning. He also attended Art Center College of Design
from 1939–1941. Fickett was a draftsman under the architects Paul Williams, Sumner Spaulding, and Gordon B. Kaufman, architect of Santa Anita Park
Racetrack.
In August of 1942, Fickett served in the United States Coast Guard / United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He was Officer in Charge of Construction Unit 26, Civil Engineer Corps which oversaw construction of Long Range Aids to Navigation Stations located in the South Pacific. By the year 1946, the US Navy honored with Lieutenant Senior Guard (LTSG), inactive duty.
After World War II
, Fickett created a private architectural firm located in Los Angeles. He was admitted to corporate membership in the American Institute of Architects on April 7, 1950. Shortly thereafter, he formulated and participated in the AIA's "University Lecture Series" bringing along fellow colleagues, A. Quincy Jones, Rudolph Schindler and Richard Neutra while encouraging architecture students across the country to employ the ideals of modern architecture.
He was Architectural Advisor to Eisenhower and Consultant to the Federal Government on Housing. The Federal Housing Administration sought out a seven-member panel, including Fickett, to study and make recommendations for revision of the Federal architectural code. This committee was known as the Architectural Standards Advisory committee, FHA. Federal Housing Commissioner, Norman P. Mason declared in 1955, "A prime objective of the Architectural Standards Division to be the development of quality homes at low cost." In 1959, Fickett was appointed to the Federal Housing Advisory Board where, with other members, rewrote the Minimum Property Requirements guide for builders. Many specifications and guidelines created during this period for the FHA are still being used today.
Through his work with such notable developers as Joseph Eichler
, Fickett designed more than 60,000 post-war homes, along the way pioneering and promoting many of the concepts now seen as synonymous with California Modernism. Fickett was responsible for the planning and design of over seventy residential communities containing in excess of 40,000 single-family dwellings. Fourteen of these developments have been cited by the AIA, NAHB along with numerous trade and professional magazines for their excellence of design. Better Homes and Gardens declared Fickett, "The Frank Llyod Wright of the 1950s".
During 1958, Fickett served in an advisory capacity to the National Association of Home Builders in the Research House Program. He contributed in bettering relations between home builders and architects in the California area while improving zoning and planning ordinances. Fickett's inclination to serve the common man resulted in him becoming Chairman of the Southern California Chapter, AIA, Committee on Low Cost Housing, collaborating with the Home Builders Association in planning a small prototype residential community in Los Angeles, California. He also served as a member of the American Arbitration Association, National Panel of Arbitrators for the years 1961, 1962 and 1963.
The American Institute of Architects honored Fickett on April 14, 1969 inviting him fellowship and membership into the College of Fellows for his notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of architecture (FAIA). It was through his excellence of design, proportion and scale along with the regional materials used including redwood, adobe brick and handmade flooring tiles. It was Fickett's ability to express the continuity of detail and expression of structural elements, all notable in the architect's works. The residential works exemplify an excellence of regional quality, which became trademark of the architect.
The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department designated the Jacobson House, Los Angeles as Historic Cultural Monument No. 674. This was the first contemporary structure to receive Landmark Status by the City. Commissioned by Dr. and Mrs. George Jacobson in 1965. The Jacobson House embodies the distinguishing characteristics of Fickett's work. Located on the same hillside street as the landmark Lovell Health House, the Jacobson House overlooks Eastern Hollywood and Barnsdall Park. Fickett oriented the house to make maximum use of the broad panorama. The house is a pavilion with the interior extending into the exterior with Asian-inspired landscaping. Other "Fickett Details" in the house include custom designed light fixtures, clerestory windows, room partitions, walnut paneling, built-in amenities such as bar and music storage, aggregate stone paving, large wrap-around decks, doors framed with painted black surrounds, and a variety of building materials, in this case brick, wood, stone, and glass. His fascination with light is quite apparrant in the architect's body of work. Filtered and diffused light often found with slatted shade screens, "peek-a-boo" windows, clerestory windows and interior atrium positioned to allow soft light into areas of the home. Fickett felt every window had a purpose; to bring the outside in.
Upon his sudden death in 1999 due to complications from an E. coli infection, the American Institute of Architects named him "An American Architectural Hero". Governor Gray Davis
praised him as "an exceptional architect who made many beautiful contributions to his community and to the people of this great state." President Bill Clinton
presented his widow, Joycie Fickett with a letter of condolence, along with an American flag.
FAIA
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects is a postnomial, designating an individual who has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects...
, (May 19, 1916 - May 21, 1999) was a nationally recognized, award-winning architect who was a consultant to federal and local governments in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and to President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
.
Biography
A fourth generation Angeleno, Edward H. Fickett, FAIA was born May 19, 1916 in Los Angeles, California. He attended Beverly Hills High School and then went on to graduate from the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in 1937 with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. He furthered his studies at MIT and received three Master's Degrees: Architecture, Engineering and City Planning. He also attended Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design is a private college located in Pasadena, California, and was cited by BusinessWeek as one of the 60 best design schools in the world. The college’s industrial design program is consistently ranked number one by both DesignIntelligence and U.S...
from 1939–1941. Fickett was a draftsman under the architects Paul Williams, Sumner Spaulding, and Gordon B. Kaufman, architect of Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
Racetrack.
In August of 1942, Fickett served in the United States Coast Guard / United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He was Officer in Charge of Construction Unit 26, Civil Engineer Corps which oversaw construction of Long Range Aids to Navigation Stations located in the South Pacific. By the year 1946, the US Navy honored with Lieutenant Senior Guard (LTSG), inactive duty.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Fickett created a private architectural firm located in Los Angeles. He was admitted to corporate membership in the American Institute of Architects on April 7, 1950. Shortly thereafter, he formulated and participated in the AIA's "University Lecture Series" bringing along fellow colleagues, A. Quincy Jones, Rudolph Schindler and Richard Neutra while encouraging architecture students across the country to employ the ideals of modern architecture.
He was Architectural Advisor to Eisenhower and Consultant to the Federal Government on Housing. The Federal Housing Administration sought out a seven-member panel, including Fickett, to study and make recommendations for revision of the Federal architectural code. This committee was known as the Architectural Standards Advisory committee, FHA. Federal Housing Commissioner, Norman P. Mason declared in 1955, "A prime objective of the Architectural Standards Division to be the development of quality homes at low cost." In 1959, Fickett was appointed to the Federal Housing Advisory Board where, with other members, rewrote the Minimum Property Requirements guide for builders. Many specifications and guidelines created during this period for the FHA are still being used today.
Through his work with such notable developers as Joseph Eichler
Joseph Eichler
Joseph Eichler was a 20th century post-war U.S. American real estate developer known for developing distinctive residential subdivisions of Mid-Century modern style Tract housing in California, United States. He was one of the influential advocates of bringing modern architecture from custom...
, Fickett designed more than 60,000 post-war homes, along the way pioneering and promoting many of the concepts now seen as synonymous with California Modernism. Fickett was responsible for the planning and design of over seventy residential communities containing in excess of 40,000 single-family dwellings. Fourteen of these developments have been cited by the AIA, NAHB along with numerous trade and professional magazines for their excellence of design. Better Homes and Gardens declared Fickett, "The Frank Llyod Wright of the 1950s".
During 1958, Fickett served in an advisory capacity to the National Association of Home Builders in the Research House Program. He contributed in bettering relations between home builders and architects in the California area while improving zoning and planning ordinances. Fickett's inclination to serve the common man resulted in him becoming Chairman of the Southern California Chapter, AIA, Committee on Low Cost Housing, collaborating with the Home Builders Association in planning a small prototype residential community in Los Angeles, California. He also served as a member of the American Arbitration Association, National Panel of Arbitrators for the years 1961, 1962 and 1963.
The American Institute of Architects honored Fickett on April 14, 1969 inviting him fellowship and membership into the College of Fellows for his notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of architecture (FAIA). It was through his excellence of design, proportion and scale along with the regional materials used including redwood, adobe brick and handmade flooring tiles. It was Fickett's ability to express the continuity of detail and expression of structural elements, all notable in the architect's works. The residential works exemplify an excellence of regional quality, which became trademark of the architect.
The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department designated the Jacobson House, Los Angeles as Historic Cultural Monument No. 674. This was the first contemporary structure to receive Landmark Status by the City. Commissioned by Dr. and Mrs. George Jacobson in 1965. The Jacobson House embodies the distinguishing characteristics of Fickett's work. Located on the same hillside street as the landmark Lovell Health House, the Jacobson House overlooks Eastern Hollywood and Barnsdall Park. Fickett oriented the house to make maximum use of the broad panorama. The house is a pavilion with the interior extending into the exterior with Asian-inspired landscaping. Other "Fickett Details" in the house include custom designed light fixtures, clerestory windows, room partitions, walnut paneling, built-in amenities such as bar and music storage, aggregate stone paving, large wrap-around decks, doors framed with painted black surrounds, and a variety of building materials, in this case brick, wood, stone, and glass. His fascination with light is quite apparrant in the architect's body of work. Filtered and diffused light often found with slatted shade screens, "peek-a-boo" windows, clerestory windows and interior atrium positioned to allow soft light into areas of the home. Fickett felt every window had a purpose; to bring the outside in.
Upon his sudden death in 1999 due to complications from an E. coli infection, the American Institute of Architects named him "An American Architectural Hero". Governor Gray Davis
Gray Davis
Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003...
praised him as "an exceptional architect who made many beautiful contributions to his community and to the people of this great state." President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
presented his widow, Joycie Fickett with a letter of condolence, along with an American flag.
Notable works
Some of his notable designs include La Costa Resort near San Diego, Edwards Air Force Base, the Naval Air Station at Los Alamitos, California|Los Alamitos, Murphy Canyon Heights Naval Base in San Diego, La Jolla Fashion Center, the Bistro Gardens restaurant in Beverly Hills, Spago Restaurant in West Hollywood, Scandia Restaurant, Nick's Fish Market Restaurant, Olie Hammond's Restaurant in Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles|Los Angeles Harbor (Port of L.A.) Passenger and Cargo Terminals, the historic and seismic renovation of the Los Angeles City Hall Tower (Phase I), the new extension of the Nethercutt Antique Car Museum, the Los Angeles Police Academy, Dodger Stadium, Ocotillo Lodge, Hotel Palm Springs, Mammoth Mountain Inn, Las Cruces Resort, Hotel Cabo San Lucas, Hotel Hacienda, and various commercial developments. A proponent of pre-fabricated design and affordable housing, Edward Fickett is perhaps best known for the more than 60,000 homes of his design, known as “Fickett Houses.” He was also known as the "Architect to the Stars", having designed magnificent estates for the Hollywood glitterati. He was also nicknamed the King of the Tennis Courts, having been the first architect to design cantilever tennis courts.External links
- Raphael Soriano
- Modern ArchitectureModern architectureModern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
- http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-fickett29jun29,1,3636853.story?coll=la-headlines-home
- Los Angeles Times Obituary http://articles.latimes.com/1999/jun/19/news/mn-48035
- Daily News, May 21, 2000 LEGACY YOU CAN LIVE IN THOUSANDS OF VALLEY HOMES ATTEST TO LATE ARCHITECT'S ENDURING INFLUENCE.