A Drive Through the Kitsch-tastic Donut Hole
When it comes to architecture I’m of course a sucker for a good mid-century modern, art deco, and even Victorian, but perhaps my favorite style is programmatic architecture, aka “California Crazy” because it’s just plain fun! There are other terms for this style as well, including vernacular and mimetic architecture. This is where a building resembles an object, often one relating to the what the business sells or is called. The most famous example would be Hollywood’s Brown Derby, which sadly no longer exists, well, sort of…for more on that check out this post. Another amazing example is the shoe repair we visited in Bakersfield. Another great example is also one of my absolute favorites, the Donut Hole in La Puente. Here two massive donuts flank a small drive thru where you can purchase, what else, donuts!
Programmatic architecture started in the 1920s when cars were becoming more popular, and having novelty shaped buildings were a great way to catch the eye of motorists who were speeding by. While programmatic architecture is of course a product of car culture, I think the Donut Hole is the best combination of the programmatic architectural style and car culture, as one doesn’t even have to get out of their car to enjoy the item being offered! While a late example of programmatic architecture, as it was built in 1968, The Donut Hole is just as charming as anything built before it!
Originally there were five Donut Hole locations, but this was the only one to incorporate donuts into the actual architecture of the structure, it also happens to be the only remaining Donut Hole location. The giant donuts are made of fiberglass, and if you’re looking for the genius to thank for this gem of California, I’m sorry to disappoint, but the designer is unknown. While I don’t know who to thank for this icon, I’m just thrilled it is still standing and has continuously operated as a donut shop, catering to the drivers of the greater Los Angeles area.
Drive through two massive donuts at the Donut Hole at 15300 Amar Road in La Puente.
What’s Nearby?
Source
“The Donut Hole” Los Angeles Conservancy.
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Great post. I lived on La Puente when I was six. That would make it 1960. Before the giant dough nut.
Sweet post! (In more ways than one!) That must surely be the coolest and kitschiest looking donut shop of all time.
Hailing from a country that also has a strong doughnut (as we spell the word up here) culture, I can definitely say that would try to visit the Donut Hole if I was ever in the area.
Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life
I didn’t ever think about the fact that there is a name for this style of architecture- very cool.
My great-grandmother had an ice cream shop at one point, called “The Frosty Peak” and it was in a very tiny building in the shape of an ice cream cone. I think that was sometime in the 1960’s.