From land that once grew lima beans, wheat and barley rises a structure that looks as though it came transplanted from the future. The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport represents a scaled-down version of the original plan for the entire airport. It is also symbolic of the story of one of the architects involved in its creation, Paul Williams (1894-1980).

Like his famous creation, Williams was ahead of his time. He came from an impoverished background, making his early plans to become an architect all the more seemingly unrealistic. However, he was working for an architect by age 20, had a license at 26 and his own very successful firm by 27. Known as the architect for the stars, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz  were among Williams’ residential clients. He found ways to rise above the prejudices he encountered, often working harder, accepting lower fees, and even mastering drawing upside down so as not to discomfit some of his white clients by sitting next to them.

The Theme Building’s four arches rise 135 feet into the air and James Langenheim was the originator of the design. The structure opened in 1961. Thirty-two years later, the LA city council declared it a historic-cultural monument. Located among the terminal buildings, it had a $12.3 million dollar seismic re-fit, features lighting by Walt Disney Imagineering and housed the Encounter Restaurant, now closed. Futuristic building anyone?