The Mediterranean House in America

Inspired by the romance of Italian villas, Spanish farmhouses, and Moorish courtyards, the Mediterranean Revival style became an archetype for sophisticated suburban homes throughout America in the early 20th century. The characteristic white stucco house, roofed with terra-cotta and ornamented with ironwork, decorative tiles, and fountains, remains the dominant style for new residences in California, the Southwest, and Florida. The Mediterranean house’s longevity is rooted in an overall simplicity and an emphasis on the outdoors. Its central courtyard, terraces, and loggias provide a fluidity between interiors and exteriors equally prized by the architects of ancient Pompeii and groundbreaking modernists. The Mediterranean House in America provides the first comprehensive survey of this popular style, beautifully illustrated in full-color photographs by Juergen Nogai, archival photos, and drawings.

Lauren Weiss Bricker, Ph.D., is an associate professor of architecture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. A specialist on California architecture and historic preservation, she has contributed to a number of books. She lives in Redlands, California. Juergen Nogai is an architectural and fine arts photographer based in Santa Monica, California. His books include Abrams’ Dream Palaces of Hollywood’s Golden Age.