Project 50/50

Introduction

Wayne Thom’s career extended well into the 21st century, and he grew and transformed his practice in response to new clients, project types, and locations. This digital interactive exhibition, titled “Wayne Thom 50/50” in reference to 50 standout projects completed over the course of his 50-year career, invites you to explore the breadth of materials in the Wayne Thom Photography Archive. One important component highlights Thom’s work in Southeast Asia, where firms from Southern California, like Killingsworth, Brady & Associates, to those from Hong Kong, like Palmer & Turner, built resorts for a growing international conference and travel clientele. In his photographs of I. M. Pei’s OCBC Tower in Singapore (1976), Thom captures the dichotomy between the traditional and modernizing city. Hawaii also became a frequent destination point during this time, and Thom photographed this growth in resort, civic, and residential architecture. Clients included the prolific modernist Vladimir Ossipoff and the more whimsical firm Au, Cutting, Smith architects. While Thom’s career is characterized by commercial commissions, he also photographed many residential projects, particularly in the later decades of his career. He was particularly close with Harry Teague who innovated Colorado vernacular architecture. On these trips, Thom would combine his love for skiing with his love for architecture, photographing in the morning, visiting with architect friends in the evening, and carving out time to hit the slopes in between.

This digital exhibition will continue to be available to the public after the exhibition’s conclusion, serving as an important connection point between the public and the Wayne Thom Photography Collection at USC.

Contents of this path:

  1. DuBrul residence, Aspen, Colorado, 2009
  2. Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, California, 1992
  3. FAA building, Lawndale, California, 1974
  4. Heritage Square, Phoenix, Arizona, 1980
  5. Hilton Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia, 1978
  6. Hoffman residence, Phoenix, Arizona, 1996
  7. Honolulu Air Terminal, Hawaii, 1976
  8. Hopi Cultural Center, 2nd Mesa, Arizona, 1972
  9. Law Courts Goverment Center Robson Square
  10. Lynwood High School, Lynwood, California, 1997
  11. Morgan residence, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1976
  12. Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, California, 1993
  13. Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, 1993
  14. New Otani Hotel, Los Angeles, California, 1977
  15. Norton residence, Crested Butte, Colorado, 2008
  16. Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 1979
  17. Oversea-Chinese Bank, Singapore, 1978
  18. Pacific Terrace Theater, Long Beach, California, 1978
  19. Parker Hannifin Corp., Irvine, California, 1970
  20. Poon residence, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 1995
  21. Proulx residence, Saratoga, Wyoming, 2009
  22. Regent Hotel, Denarau, Fiji, 1978
  23. Rice residence, Glendale, California, 1993
  24. San Diego Metro Transit System, San Diego, California, 1989
  25. Sears Tower, Alhambra, California, 1971
  26. Seaver Science Center, USC, 1970
  27. Security Pacific Bank, Los Angeles, California, 1974
  28. Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, 1979
  29. St. Basil Church, Los Angeles, California, 1969
  30. Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, California, 1973
  31. Thodos residence 2, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, 2007
  32. U.C. San Diego Library, California, 1970
  33. University Of Hawaii Library, Honolulu, 1971
  34. Warner Bros. Records, Burbank, California, 1975
  35. Westcoast Pointe, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 1997
  36. Wilshire Park Plaza, Los Angeles, California, 1972