Big Blue & bright colors from the 70s

[F.Bullbait]

Here is the original building after it was completed in the 1930's.

The materials and construction of the buried building were quite inconsistent with the concrete hospital. When I think about it, the wood structure with beadboard motif was much like many "temporary" buildings that were built during the war (WW2). Possibly this was built on the site of the left garden and later covered with the present triangular structure. Certainly the whole hospital complex was cobbled together at different times over the decades as more room was needed. Anyone who worked on it during the reno days could see that. The basement connected everything underground including AO across the street.

If I recall correctly, GO occupied the ground floor of the left wing and so that was off-limits to us slugs.

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

Here is the original building after it was completed in the 1930's.

The materials and construction of the buried building were quite inconsistent with the concrete hospital. When I think about it, the wood structure with beadboard motif was much like many "temporary" buildings that were built during the war (WW2). Possibly this was built on the site of the left garden and later covered with the present triangular structure. Certainly the whole hospital complex was cobbled together at different times over the decades as more room was needed. Anyone who worked on it during the reno days could see that. The basement connected everything underground including AO across the street.

If I recall correctly, GO occupied the ground floor of the left wing and so that was off-limits to us slugs.

You may have answered your own question. If it was a rushed project during the war the hospital might have cut corners. Maybe they were coping with an influx of war injuries or there was an increase of patients in general because all medical services in the country were being diverted toward the war effort.

 

[MissWog]

There is a ton of historical information about the building being built..

Photos of ground breaking and info on the builder here http://scalar.usc.edu/hc/from-the-bowl-to-the-boulevard/hospitals-commercial-and-office-buildings

History of the hospital system with photos here http://cedars-sinai.edu/About-Us/History/Documents/HistPersp703.pdf

And at this link is the article from the LATimes 1930
http://scalar.usc.edu/hc/tuberculosis-exhibit/cedars-of-lebanon-1930

 

[Intentionally Blank]

Here is the original building after it was completed in the 1930's.

It's almost pretty in this view. So much easier on the eyes without that hideous blue. The front is so much more graceful. And no little-man-syndrome Scientology sign on the front.

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

It's almost pretty in this view. So much easier on the eyes without that hideous blue. The front is so much more graceful. And no little-man-syndrome Scientology sign on the front.

The word "Dignified" comes to mind. Note the cupola was copper but it had turned a classic green patina. I believe it was painted gold in 81 but from recent pictures it now appears dark grey. I am wondering if this is a later coating or chemical treatment by the church or the effect of the copper leaching through the paint?

It is my understanding from another post that the sign was ordered by LRH to be visible from the freeway.

I have not seen any postings regarding the origin of the Main Building cross. Does anyone know who actually created it? Has the sculptor been accredited for the work by the church?

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

There is a ton of historical information about the building being built..

Photos of ground breaking and info on the builder here http://scalar.usc.edu/hc/from-the-bowl-to-the-boulevard/hospitals-commercial-and-office-buildings

History of the hospital system with photos here http://cedars-sinai.edu/About-Us/History/Documents/HistPersp703.pdf

And at this link is the article from the LATimes 1930
http://scalar.usc.edu/hc/tuberculosis-exhibit/cedars-of-lebanon-1930

Thank you for your contribution MissWog. As I recall you are privileged to lay claim to the Complex on your birth certificate. As an aside, I do have to say that your moniker makes me cringe a little every time I see it, but I expect that is the desired effect. Worthy Oriental Gentleman is the source reference I believe.

I had read the excellent article about the hospital's specialization in treating tuberculosis before. In re-reading it I noticed that they mentioned it had central air. I had seen an older picture which showed what appeared to be window AC units on the Main Building facing Fountain Ave. but I took a complete Google Virtual Street View tour yesterday and noticed they were no longer there. Several other observations:

There are some nice high res images at: http://www.justabovesunset.com/200908/html/art_deco_blue.html

which show the "stain" treatment which I understand was done in the early 90s.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.096...!1e1!3m2!1sj0OgsmIyFONzJJ0hSSq_Pg!2e0!6m1!1e1

It is difficult to tell from the pictures if I am seeing a visual texture from the stain application or a stucco skip troweling effect but, lighting angles aside, it seems like the building has been so heavily sandblasted that the surface is irregular and I'm wondering if the art deco designs were damaged. Could just be the photography or that is actually how the building was before.

They also painted the Fountain building blue:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.095...!1e1!3m2!1sSIlW1t9Vw8jAlhpow8iHYg!2e0!6m1!1e1

and the Clinic Building behind AOLA:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.095...!1e1!3m2!1sMsbDhMcqQsRJuILXUkzIRg!2e0!6m1!1e1

although it does appear like a lighter shade of blue (could just be the lighting).

And inadvertently, I noticed this little out building on Hampshire was blue:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.095...!1e1!3m2!1sMsbDhMcqQsRJuILXUkzIRg!2e0!6m1!1e1

Could be wrong but I don't recall the Fountain building, Clinic or out buildings being painted in the 81 project so maybe the LRH order to use blue has become cast in stone and is on auto-pilot for any and all buildings directly linked to the Complex. The significance here is that there does not seem to be any second guessing over the color selection and they are doubling down.

We were discussing the Main Building fountain in an earlier post but here the landscaping treatment is nice even though an operating fountain would be much better:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.095...!1e1!3m2!1sNbpaiFVF8WipjUM3APOICA!2e0!6m1!1e1

It looks like they are using cheap white roll shades for the window treatment but everything is so buttoned down it imparts to me an unnatural feel.

These are the old incinerator smoke stacks, right?

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.096...!1e1!3m2!1s2lMRdGn-annw5z4lmqL52g!2e0!6m1!1e1

Always a very salient eye drawing feature but I wonder if anyone pauses to think about what they were used for?

 

[MissWog]

OBB,
Yes it was me born at the hospital
Mad Men is my favorite show and I adore Elisabeth Moss..so I chose her best sinister Peggy Olsen as my avatar..it was a crushing day when I found out she was a Scientologist! I only chose my name 'MissWog' bc I wanted to identify myself as a never-in, right off the bat! At the time I was not aware of the racist origin & meaning.. So, instead of MissOlsen, I went with MissWog.

 

[MrNobody]

Thank you for your contribution MissWog. As I recall you are privileged to lay claim to the Complex on your birth certificate. As an aside, I do have to say that your moniker makes me cringe a little every time I see it, but I expect that is the desired effect. Worthy Oriental Gentleman is the source reference I believe.
<snip>

When the word "wog" makes you cringe, you're doin' it rong.

Remember the old days of Anonymous? When they used to beef up every word with the syllable "fag"?

There were science-fags, research-fags, history-fags, Dutch-fags, German-fags, and on and on ad infinitum. There even were fag-fags.

Why was this done? To strip the significance and the negative connotations off of the syllable "fag".

Now I'll take that burnt-out fag that's stuck between my fingers and put it into an ashtray.

 

[Dulloldfart]

and the Clinic Building behind AOLA [painted blue]:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.095...!1e1!3m2!1sMsbDhMcqQsRJuILXUkzIRg!2e0!6m1!1e1

although it does appear like a lighter shade of blue (could just be the lighting).

And inadvertently, I noticed this little out building on Hampshire was blue:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.095...!1e1!3m2!1sMsbDhMcqQsRJuILXUkzIRg!2e0!6m1!1e1

That "clinic building" used to be Bridge, and was pink in 2000 or so. That one on Hampshire I knew (1990-ish) as the "Apollo Training Academy" where SO kids were taught. Dunno what either building is used for now.

Paul

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

OBB,
Yes it was me born at the hospital
Mad Men is my favorite show and I adore Elisabeth Moss..so I chose her best sinister Peggy Olsen as my avatar..it was a crushing day when I found out she was a Scientologist! I only chose my name 'MissWog' bc I wanted to identify myself as a never-in, right off the bat! At the time I was not aware of the racist origin & meaning.. So, instead of MissOlsen, I went with MissWog.

You inspired me to write a whole dissertation on the subject but I retracted it because it got too far off topic and was already torpedoing the thread. I have never seen the show but I know what it is about and I think your moniker and avatar are very clever.

 

[Ogsonofgroo]

Not sure about the myth, but that color is the cheapest paint you can buy anywhere anytime all over California
why ? because nobody wants it, my guess would be they put out a bid for a million cans from every hardware
store they could find with overstocked babyblue.

I remember when it was first painted what the local folks were saying about "Oh My God what an eyesore

Yup, a mate of mine was there through all that, cheapest paint that could be found, ugly color for a building imho, sheesh lrh could have added a bit of purple or something, darken it up from a cartoon/smurfy color, yikes!

 

[MissWog]

You inspired me to write a whole dissertation on the subject but I retracted it because it got too far off topic and was already torpedoing the thread. I have never seen the show but I know what it is about and I think your moniker and avatar are very clever.

There is a thread about the use of the word wog http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?22829-Stop-Calling-People-Wogs!

I would change my handle but everyone already knows me pretty well by now and just lets it slide

If I may derail the thread for a moment and ask you.. Did the name, MissWog, give you the sense that I am a "never-in" and female? Just curious if it works?

 

[JustSheila]

There is a story going around to the effect that someone who is or was senior management staff said, the original light blue for the exterior of the Cedars Complex and/or those bright primary colors and super-graphics for the inside of the PAC Orgs circa 1977 - 1982 were a big mistake and the result of a single "druggie ex-staffer".

Is this just a Scientology urban legend? What is the source of this story?

Respectfully,

The Original Big Blue

Tags: Scientology, Dianetics, COS, PAC (Pacific Area Command), CESO (Cedars Estates Service Organization), EPF (Estates Project Force), RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force), FOLO (Flag Operations Liaison Office), LAO (Los Angeles Organization), ASHO (American Saint Hill Organization), AOLA (Advanced Organization Los Angeles), CMO (Commodore's Messenger Organization), Lebanon Hall, paint.

No, it is not true. I worked in Estates when it was painted.

L Ron personally approved the colour, based on small samples.

It came out much brighter than originally anticipated. A few years later, it was repainted, and the shade it is now is only slightly less bright and abrasive than the first shade, which was even worse.

 

[MissWog]

Yup, a mate of mine was there through all that, cheapest paint that could be found, ugly color for a building imho, sheesh lrh could have added a bit of purple or something, darken it up from a cartoon/smurfy color, yikes!

It is so ugly! The longer I look at it I convince myself the problem is the solid color. As a hospital white was logical..but had the deco designs been left a nuetral color and the solid walls painted blue..it would be far more attractive to me. The building should be two colors.

 

[JustSheila]

Yes! Two colours, a brick red and maybe a neutral yellow/white, with edging. That would work for me.

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

That "clinic building" used to be Bridge, and was pink in 2000 or so. That one on Hampshire I knew (1990-ish) as the "Apollo Training Academy" where SO kids were taught. Dunno what either building is used for now.

Paul

The Google Street View is dated Dec. 2014 so they are actively using the blue color scheme. I would be interested to know how they ever got to pink!

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

There is a thread about the use of the word wog http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?22829-Stop-Calling-People-Wogs!

I would change my handle but everyone already knows me pretty well by now and just lets it slide

If I may derail the thread for a moment and ask you.. Did the name, MissWog, give you the sense that I am a "never-in" and female? Just curious if it works?

Yes. But additionally the usage of the honorific "Miss" implies that you are cultured and civil, which you very much seem to be.

 

[Smurf]

There is a thread about the use of the word wog http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?22829-Stop-Calling-People-Wogs!

I would change my handle but everyone already knows me pretty well by now and just lets it slide

Can you walk on water? Woman Of God?

 

[TheOriginalBigBlue]

Yes! Two colours, a brick red and maybe a neutral yellow/white, with edging. That would work for me.

That kinda works. I'd probably lean towards the warm side on the white. Makes me think of Gold Rush Sierra foothill towns.

BTW - saw your pix. Wasn't that dark blue stripe the only one on all of the buildings? What was the story on that?

 

[JustSheila]

Yeh, I agree, not bright white. Dulux Grand Piano Quarter would be gorgeous.

The half Piano looks fantastic in any room, too. It's brighter than it seems (this sample is darker than the actual paint), but not the knock your eyes out white, either.