Helen Liu Fong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Liu Fong
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Helen Liu Fong, photographed by Larry Hirshowitz (published in Los Angeles magazine, December 2000)
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| Born | January 14, 1927 |
| Died | 17 April 2005 (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Architect, Interior Designer |
Helen Liu Fong (born January 14, 1927 – died April 17, 2005) was a talented Chinese-American architect. She was also an interior designer from Los Angeles, California. Helen Fong helped create a cool, futuristic style of buildings called Googie architecture.
She designed famous places like Norms Restaurant, the Holiday Bowl, and Pann's Coffee Shop. These buildings had unique shapes, bright neon lights, and bold angles. Helen Fong was also one of the first women to join the American Institute of Architects. She worked with the firm Armet and Davis on many of her most famous projects. Her designs often featured large glass fronts and bright colors inside. This made the buildings stand out and attract customers.
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Helen Fong's Early Life and Education
Helen Fong was born in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Her parents were immigrants from China. She was one of five children in her family. Helen grew up helping in her family's laundry business. By the age of 12, she knew she wanted to be an architect.
She started college at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1943. After two years, she moved to the University of California, Berkeley. Helen Fong graduated in 1949. She also earned a second degree in city planning from Berkeley.
Helen Fong's Amazing Career
In 1949, Helen Fong joined an architecture firm led by Eugene Kinn Choy. She worked there for two years. Then, she moved to the firm of Louis Armet and Eldon Davis. One of her first projects with them was The Clock Restaurant in Westchester. This was their first building in the "Googie" style. Helen suggested using bright, strong colors on the walls. This made the restaurant easy to see from the road.
The firm quickly became famous for its exciting Googie designs. Helen Fong worked on hundreds of buildings. These included hotels, gas stations, and many restaurants.
Designing Famous Googie Buildings
In the mid-1950s, Helen Fong worked on two of the firm's most famous designs. These were Norms Restaurant and the Holiday Bowl. The Norms restaurant designed by Armet and Davis in 1955 was not the first one. However, its unique sign and open kitchen design became very famous. Helen Fong's interior design made the restaurant work better for both guests and staff. It also created a fun show that brought in new customers.
The Holiday Bowl was built in 1958. It was located in the Crenshaw neighborhood. This became one of Helen Fong's most celebrated projects. She led the design of the cocktail lounge. She added special touches, like a 3-D map of Japan. This was to honor the Japanese American community. They were rebuilding after being held in camps during World War II. The Holiday Bowl was an important landmark for over 40 years. It brought together Japanese Americans, African Americans, and Chinese Americans.
Promotion and Retirement
Helen Fong's hard work was recognized. In 1964, she was promoted to an associate at Armet & Davis. This meant she handled client relationships and managed projects. She also continued her design work. Helen Fong retired from the design firm in the late 1970s.
Helen Fong's Lasting Legacy
In 2012, the Chinese American Museum held a special art show. It featured works from four Chinese-American architects. They all worked in Southern California. The architects were Helen Fong, Eugene K. Choy, Gilbert Leong, and Gin D. Wong. Their designs continue to inspire people today.
Images for kids
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Norms restaurant -
Pann's coffee shop signs
