William Leonard Pereira was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1906. During this Los Angeles architect’s career which spanned over fifty years, he has done over 400 projects. In 1938, Pereira moved to California; in addition to being an architect, he also briefly worked as an art director and production designer, winning an Oscar with his brother Hal Pereira in the special effects category for the movie, “Reap the Wild Wind.”

Pereira taught at the USC School of Architecture after World War II. Then in 1950, when he partnered up with Charles Luckman Architects, they created some of the most iconic buildings in Los Angeles. Many buildings became famous landmarks, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the LAX Theme Building.

The Los Angeles Architect came up with the idea of a Master Plan, specifically for an area dear to his heart, Irvine. Pereira wanted to make Irvine the “City of Tomorrow.” The goal of this plan was for people to live in harmony with their environment and would preserve 20,000 acres of farmland and 30,000 acres of mountain wilderness for recreation. The miracle is that most farmlands were developed as Pereira had planned. But twice as much land is now still protected, which would have made Pereira very happy. He loved animals, canines, felines, and equines. 

We should live in harmony with nature. We think here at ADG Lighting that it is why twice as much land is still being protected than Pereira had initially envisioned. 

Pereira held many positions in important organizations, including the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, making him our choice as a great Los Angeles architect. 

This noteworthy Los Angeles architect’s style of architecture is stylish, efficient and has stood the test of time—that’s his true legacy. 

Photo Credit: Arthive

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Plaster and bronze…

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting