April 17, 2006

	Images of Albert C. Martin and his firm's Water Power Building courtesy AC Martin Partners.

Architect Albert C. Martin Jr., FAIA, whose architecture practice helped reshape Los Angeles over the last century, died on March 30. He was 92. Martin had been in failing heath after suffering a stroke a week earlier.

 This year marks the 100th anniversary of Martin’s firm, which is now called AC Martin Partners. Martin's father, Albert C. Martin Sr. launched the family practice, responsible for such local landmarks as Sid Grauman's Million Dollar Theatre at 307 South Broadway Avenue (1917) and the May Co. Department store on the Wilshire Boulevard Miracle Mile (1939). Martin Sr. collaborated with John C. Austin, John and Donald Parkinson, and Austin Whittlesey in the design of the 27-story triangular Los Angeles City Hall in downtown (1928), which stood as the city's tallest building for three decades.

After graduating from USC School of Architecture, Martin Jr. joined his father's firm in 1936. He and his brother, J. Edward Martin, a structural engineer, assumed management of the firm after World War II. They designed several notable buildings, including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power building at 111 North Hope Street (1965), the TRW Science research park in Redondo Beach (1968), and the twin 52-story Arco Plaza towers on North Flower Street (1973). Martin Jr. never had a single signature style, but rather used a variety of design approaches varying from a rationalist International language to more Expressionist works. The firm's projects have received over 100 design and planning awards. Martin Jr. and his brother slowly turned over control of the firm to their sons, David and Christopher, between 1984 and 1990.

Tony Illia

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