Walter Wurdeman
Encyclopedia
Walter Wurdeman was a leading architect
who, with his partner Welton Becket
, designed many notable buildings in Los Angeles, California
.
Wurdeman graduated from the University of Washington program in Architecture in 1927 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch.). After graduation he apprenticed with the Seattle firm Bebb and Gould and participated in design of the Seattle Art Museum
(now Seattle Asian Art Museum
) in Seattle's Volunteer Park.
Wurdeman had moved to Los Angeles by 1933 and formed a partnership with his University of Washington classmate Welton Becket
and local architect Charles F. Plummer. The Moderne Pan-Pacific Auditorium
, dating from 1935, brought them local fame. Subsequent commissions included residences for James Cagney
, Robert Montgomery
, and other film celebrities.
After Plummer died in 1939, the surviving partners renamed the firm Wurdeman and Becket. The firm was responsible for Bullock's
Pasadena (1944) and several corporate headquarters. Wurdeman and Becket practiced "total design", taking responsibility for master planning, engineering, interiors, fixtures and furnishings, landscape, and graphics.
After Wurdeman's death in 1949, Becket carried on the practice alone as Welton Becket Associates.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who, with his partner Welton Becket
Welton Becket
Welton Becket was an architect who designed many buildings in Los Angeles, California.Becket was born in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington program in Architecture in 1927 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree .He settled in Los Angeles in 1933 and formed a...
, designed many notable buildings in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
Wurdeman graduated from the University of Washington program in Architecture in 1927 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch.). After graduation he apprenticed with the Seattle firm Bebb and Gould and participated in design of the Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum is an art museum located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It maintains three major facilities: its main museum in downtown Seattle; the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the central Seattle waterfront, which opened on...
(now Seattle Asian Art Museum
Seattle Asian Art Museum
The Seattle Asian Art Museum is a museum of Asian art located inside Volunteer Park on Seattle, Washington USA's Capitol Hill. Part of the Seattle Art Museum, SAAM occupies the 1933 Art Moderne building which was originally home to the Seattle Art Museum's main collection...
) in Seattle's Volunteer Park.
Wurdeman had moved to Los Angeles by 1933 and formed a partnership with his University of Washington classmate Welton Becket
Welton Becket
Welton Becket was an architect who designed many buildings in Los Angeles, California.Becket was born in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington program in Architecture in 1927 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree .He settled in Los Angeles in 1933 and formed a...
and local architect Charles F. Plummer. The Moderne Pan-Pacific Auditorium
Pan-Pacific Auditorium
The Pan-Pacific Auditorium was a landmark structure in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, California which once stood at 7600 West Beverly Boulevard near the site of Gilmore Field, an early Los Angeles baseball venue predating Dodger Stadium...
, dating from 1935, brought them local fame. Subsequent commissions included residences for James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
, Robert Montgomery
Robert Montgomery (actor)
Robert Montgomery was an American actor and director.- Early life :Montgomery was born Henry Montgomery, Jr. in Beacon, New York, then known as "Fishkill Landing", the son of Mary Weed and Henry Montgomery, Sr. His early childhood was one of privilege, since his father was president of the New...
, and other film celebrities.
After Plummer died in 1939, the surviving partners renamed the firm Wurdeman and Becket. The firm was responsible for Bullock's
Bullock's
Bullock's was a department store based in Los Angeles, California. The company operated full-line department stores all across California, with some stores in Arizona and Nevada. Bullock's also operated the more upscale Bullocks Wilshire in parts of Southern California.- History :Bullock's was...
Pasadena (1944) and several corporate headquarters. Wurdeman and Becket practiced "total design", taking responsibility for master planning, engineering, interiors, fixtures and furnishings, landscape, and graphics.
After Wurdeman's death in 1949, Becket carried on the practice alone as Welton Becket Associates.