Election Day: Place Matters

Over the years LAist has begun to view the local polling place as yet another benefit of participating in the democratic process. Sometimes the room in which we cast a ballot isn’t exciting architecturally, and if it’s a sorry day for voter turn-out, nor is there much in the way of sociological interest.

But whether it be a private home, a high school gymnasium, or ranger’s station, more often than not we’ve found ourselves making maiden voyages to cool buildings on Election Day. These locations might be just below the radar, or otherwise off-limits to the general public. We’ve also observed other stuff (like spotting the addresses of noteworthy neighbors) to get excited about in addition to the thrilling act of exercising our civic responsibility.

Take voting this morning at the Hollywood Adventist Church, for example. Our chances of venturing into a Seventh Day Adventist house of worship are slim; thus, we were psyched to check out the fellowship hall of the mid-century ecclesiastical structure overlooking the 101 at Hollywood Boulevard. (Alas, preliminary research has not yielded the architect credit.) Many of the building’s features add up to a gem of a modern church: the asymmetrical fenestration pattern and odd shaped openings inspired by Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp chapel (1955), the exterior lavender wall treatment, and stepped diagonal buttresses. This structure deserves a spot on any archi-tourist’s mid-century route.

So make sure to vote. Things other than election results might surprise you.