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The main library of Hope International University was once a student center for CSUF, across the street. Photo ©Darren Bradley No architectural photo safari to  Cal State Fullerton would be complete without stopping by Hope International University. This surprising collection of buildings, located directly across Nutwood Avenue from CSUF, is perhaps the largest collection of googie modernist architecture left in the world.  Wish I'd moved that bench on the right... Photo ©Darren Bradley Not only is this an amazing grouping of intact googie buildings, but they were designed by Eldon C. Davis . USC grad Davis, along with partner Louis Armet, founded one of the most renowned architectural firms in LA history. Armet & Davis essentially defined the googie architecture genre in the post-war period.  Vintage postcard of an Armet & Davis-designed Denny's Coffee Shop. This design appears throughout the country. The King's Highway restaurant at the Ace Hotel in Palm Spring...

The classic view of UCR's Carillon Bell Tower (by Jones & Emmons, 1966) and the brutalist arcades of the Tomás Rivera Main Library (by Latta & Denny, 1954). Photo ©Darren Bradley Despite pre-dating the larger and more glamorous UC campuses of San Diego and Irvine by 5 to 10 years, UC Riverside feels smaller, quieter, and perhaps even a bit more humble. But that's not to say that it's not worth a visit. In fact, its collection of modernist architecture is quite remarkable.  Those covered arcades along the quad in front of the library are the signature feature of the UCR campus. Photo ©Darren Bradley Here's the rear (south and east) elevation of the Tomás Rivera main library. This brutalist building has narrow slits to let in light without too much solar gain from the harsh sun. It's was built before the campus plan in 1955, which may explain why it doesn't follow the guidelines. Photo ©Darren Bradley The university's humble roots spring from its ori...

Pollak Library at CSU Fullerton. Photo ©Darren Bradley Yes, Fullerton... I've lived in Southern California off and on for more than 30 years. But up until last year, I never considered Fullerton to be anything more than a place to drive through on my way to LA (despite apparently being distantly related to the city's namesake and founder, George Fullerton). Turns out I was dead wrong about the city. It's worth a stop. There's actually a lot of cool stuff in Fullerton, not least of which is the amazing campus of Cal State University, Fullerton .  Breezeway of the Joseph Clark Performing Arts Center. Photo ©Darren Bradley Isn't that sign terrible? Yes, I tried to remove this one, too, but it was zip-tied to the railing and I didn't have a knife with me. Note the bulletin board underneath which was DESIGNED for the purpose of holding notices and posters is empty and ignored, in favor of an ugly vinyl banner tied to the stair railing. Photo ©Darren Bradley I first l...