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{{Short description|Historic structure at Los Angeles International Airport, California, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Theme Building
| image = LAX LA.jpg
| image_size = 325px
| caption = The illuminated exterior of the Theme Building at night, 2007
| location = 201 World Way<br />[[Westchester, Los Angeles, California]]<br />United States
| coordinates = {{coord|33|56|38.76|N|118|24|8.64|W|region:US-LA_type:landmark_scale:3000|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Los Angeles
| area =
| built = 1957–1961
| architect = [[Pereira & Luckman]], [[Paul Williams (architect)|Paul Williams]] and [[Welton Becket]]
| architecture = [[Mid-century modern]], [[Googie architecture|Googie]]
| designation1 = Los Angeles
| designation1_date = December 18, 1993{{r|HCMLISTING 2007-09-7}}
| designation1_number = 570
| governing_body = Los Angeles World Airports
}}

The '''Theme Building''' is a structure at [[Los Angeles International Airport]] (LAX), considered an [[landmark|architectural example]] of the [[Space Age#Arts and architecture|Space Age]] design style. Influenced by "[[Populuxe]]" architecture, it is an example of the [[Mid-century modern]] design movement, later to become known as "[[Googie architecture|Googie]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Novak |first=Matt |title=Googie: Architecture of the Space Age |language=en |work=Smithsonian |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/googie-architecture-of-the-space-age-122837470/ |access-date=September 19, 2017}}</ref> In 1993, the city designated the exterior and interior of the Theme Building as a historic-cultural monument.{{r|HPLA report}}

== Architecture ==
The distinctive white building resembles a [[unidentified flying object|flying saucer]] that has landed on its four legs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The "Theme Building," Los Angeles International Airport |url=http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Text/Concepts/Icons/Icons_LAX.htm |publisher=[[University of Southern California]] |access-date=November 18, 2008 |archive-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313064139/http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Text/Concepts/Icons/Icons_LAX.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The initial design was created by James Langenheim,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spektra.global/iconic-building-of-the-month-the-theme-building/ | title=ICONIC BUILDING OF THE MONTH: THE THEME BUILDING &#124; Spektra Global | date=June 21, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://iconographika.com/products/lax-theme-building | title=LAX Theme Building }}</ref> of [[Pereira & Luckman]],{{r|HPLA report}} subsequently taken to fruition by a team of architects and engineers, headed by [[William Pereira]] and [[Charles Luckman]], that also included [[Paul Williams (architect)|Paul Williams]] and [[Welton Becket]]. The civil engineer was Richard Bradshaw.

The appearance of the building's signature crossed arches as homogeneous structures is a design illusion, created by topping four steel-reinforced concrete legs extending approximately 15 feet above the ground with hollow [[stucco]]-covered steel trusses. To counteract earthquake movements, the Theme Building was retrofitted in 2010 with a [[tuned mass damper]] without changing its outward appearance.<ref name="SAUCERREADY">{{Cite news |last=Steinhauer |first=Jennifer |date=April 17, 2010 |title=In Los Angeles, the Saucer Is Ready to Land Again |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/us/18lax.html?hpw |access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref>

Constructed near the beginning of the [[Space Age]], the building is an example of how [[aeronautics]] and [[pop culture]], design and architecture came together in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Frances |date=July 16, 2019 |title=How the Space Age influenced Southland design and architecture |url=https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/design-and-architecture/hollyhock-house-space-age-design-guo-pei/how-the-space-age-influenced-southland-design-and-architecture |access-date=July 31, 2019 |website=KCRW |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
The original design for the airport created by Pereira & Luckman in 1959 had all the terminal buildings and parking structures connected to a huge glass dome, which would serve as a central hub for traffic circulation. The plan was eventually scaled down considerably, and the terminals were constructed elsewhere on the property.<ref name="Fentress">{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2013 |title=The Unlikely History of Pereira's Theme Building |url=http://fentresspulse.com/2013/02/08/the-unlikely-history-of-pereiras-theme-building/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301042522/http://fentresspulse.com/2013/02/08/the-unlikely-history-of-pereiras-theme-building/ |archive-date=March 1, 2013 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |publisher=Fentress Architects}}</ref> The Theme Building was subsequently built to mark the spot intended for the dome structure, as a reminder of the original plan.

The building construction contract was awarded to [[Robert E. McKee|Robert E. McKee General Contractor, Inc.]] of El Paso, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PCAD - Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Theme and Arch Building, Westchester, Los Angeles, CA |url=https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/52/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=pcad.lib.washington.edu}}</ref>

The structure was dedicated on June 25, 1961, by Vice President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PCAD - Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Theme and Arch Building, Westchester, Los Angeles, CA |url=http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/52/ |access-date=2020-06-10 |website=pcad.lib.washington.edu}}</ref> The [[Los Angeles City Council]] designated the building, which lies within the [[Westchester, Los Angeles, California|Westchester]] neighborhood of the city of [[Los Angeles]], a historic-cultural monument (no. 570) in 1993.<ref name="HCMLISTING 2007-09-7" /><ref name="LA TIMES 1992-12-19">{{Cite news |last=Moffat |first=Susan |date=December 19, 1992 |title=Landing a Landmark: LAX Monument to '60s Optimism Granted Historical Status |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-19-me-1999-story.html |access-date=April 18, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Interior of Encounter Restaurant & Bar at Los Angeles International Airport (10818559866).jpg|280px|thumb|left|Interior of Encounter Restaurant (2013)]]

A $4 million renovation, with [[Retro-futurism|retro-futuristic]] interior and electric lighting designed by [[Walt Disney Imagineering]], was completed before the Encounter Restaurant opened there in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martens |first=Todd |date=2025-02-21 |title=14 places in L.A. that every Disney lover must visit at least once |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/list/walt-disney-history-los-angeles#p=gaze-from-afar-at-a-lost-disney-designed-space-age-restaurant |access-date= |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Visitors are able to take an elevator up to the Observation Level to get a 360-degree view of arriving and departing planes.<ref>Kreuzer, Nikki "[http://thelosangelesbeat.com/2013/05/offbeat-l-a-sexy-space-age-the-theme-building-at-lax/ Offbeat L.A.: Sexy Space Age – The Theme Building at LAX]", ''The Los Angeles Beat'', May 30, 2013.</ref> An airport spokeswoman said that because of its appearance and views, some people thought [[revolving restaurant|it revolved]] after visiting it, even though it did not.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Christopher |date=January 19, 1997 |title=Theme Building: 60-Second Appraisal |url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/35454944/lax_theme_building/ |access-date=September 6, 2019 |via=Newspapers.com |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en}}</ref>

After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11 attacks]], the Observation Level was closed for security reasons. Following a $12.3 million restoration of the building completed in 2010, the observation level re-opened to the public on Saturdays and Sundays starting July 10.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 2010 |title=Iconic LAX Theme Building ready for its close-up |work=[[KPCC (radio station)|KPCC]] |url=http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/07/02/iconic-lax-theme-building-ready-its-close-/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622013915/http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/07/02/iconic-lax-theme-building-ready-its-close-/ |archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> Additionally, on September 9, 2003, a permanent memorial honoring those who perished in the attacks of September 11 was opened on the grounds of the Theme Building.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art Program – LAX 9/11 Memorial |url=http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=1612 |website=lawa.org |access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

The Encounter Restaurant closed for business in December 2013 with no future plans to reopen. The reason cited was that the restaurant was in a non-secure area of the airport, so travelers were reluctant to spend time there when a possibly lengthy security checkpoint lay ahead, or leave after being screened and have to go through security again upon returning.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2014 |title=LAX's Encounter Restaurant Closes With No Plans To Reopen « CBS Los Angeles |url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/01/08/laxs-encounter-restaurant-closes-with-no-plans-to-reopen/ |publisher=Losangeles.cbslocal.com |access-date=September 11, 2017}}</ref><ref name="latimes-closing" /> The observation level of the building was then open on weekends until 2016 when its schedule was reduced to one weekend per month,<ref name="flylax-theme"/> before closing permanently in September 2018.<ref name="latimes-closing">{{Cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |date=January 8, 2014 |title=Encounter, LAX Theme Building restaurant, closes with no plan in sight |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2014-jan-08-la-trb-lax-theme-building-closes-20140107-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223030304/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/08/news/la-trb-lax-theme-building-closes-20140107 |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name="flylax-theme">{{cite web |title=LAX at a Glance: The Theme Building |url=https://www.flylax.com/-/media/flylax/media-center/pdfs/fs---theme-building |publisher=LAX |format=pdf |date=April 2020}}</ref>

Previously, the restaurant had been closed for repairs in March 2007, after a {{convert|1/2|t|kg}} piece of the stucco skin on the upper arches crashed onto the roof of the restaurant. The restaurant reopened on November 12, 2007.<ref name="SPRUCEDUP">{{Cite news |last=Marroquin |first=Art |date=November 11, 2007 |title=Spruced-up Encounter Restaurant to reopen Monday at LAX |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |url=http://origin.dailynews.com/news/ci_7430516 |access-date=November 11, 2007 |archive-date=November 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115115434/http://origin.dailynews.com/news/ci_7430516 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Delaware North Companies]] Travel Hospitality Services operated the restaurant.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Encounter Restaurant & Bar: Genesis of the Encounter and FAQs |url=http://www.encounterlax.com/encounter_genesis.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104033435/http://www.encounterlax.com/encounter_genesis.html |archive-date=January 4, 2014 |website=Encounter LAX}}</ref>

In 2018, the Bob Hope [[USO]] at LAX relocated to the ground floor of the Theme Building, opening a 7,100 square foot facility described by its president as "the most technologically advanced USO in existence."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bob Hope USO Opens New Airport Center Inside Iconic LAX Theme Building |url=https://www.uso.org/stories/2272-bob-hope-uso-re-opens-lax-center-inside-iconic-theme-building |website=Bob Hope USO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Christopher |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Is LAX's Theme Building coming back to life as part of an on-airport hotel? |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-travel-lax-theme-building-hotel-idea-future-20190612-story.html |access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Niterói Contemporary Art Museum]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="HPLA report">{{Cite web |title=Report - HPLA |url=http://historicplacesla.org/reports/596ba281-ed17-4a32-a9b4-1a2b75daec48 |access-date=2020-06-10 |website=historicplacesla.org}}</ref>

<ref name="HCMLISTING 2007-09-7">{{Cite news |date=September 7, 2007 |title=Historic Resources Report |publisher=City of Los Angeles |url=http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2017/17-0017_misc_7_01-13-2017.pdf }}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Theme Building}}
* [http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Text/Concepts/Icons/Icons_LAX.htm Theme Building] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313064139/http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Text/Concepts/Icons/Icons_LAX.htm |date=March 13, 2013 }} – via USC
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040629192431/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=202394 Theme Building]}} via Emporis

{{Los Angeles International Airport}}
{{Westchester, Los Angeles}}
{{LAHMC}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1961 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1961]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Culture of Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Googie architecture in California]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments]]
[[Category:Los Angeles International Airport]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in California]]
[[Category:Towers in California]]
[[Category:William Pereira buildings]]
[[Category:Westchester, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Retrofuturism]]
[[Category:Paul Williams (architect) buildings]]