Donut Architecture

Randy's Donuts in Los Angeles is one of a dying breed of donut shops sporting enormous donut rings on their roofs, examples of a dying style called "mimic architecture".

1 minute read

August 31, 2009, 10:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

"Mimic" architecture (buildings that look like what they sell, like hot dogs, coffee pots, etc.) became popular in the 1930s to catch the eye of drivers zooming past on the new freeways. Now fading in popularity, four giant donuts survive in Los Angeles.

"The 51-year-old Donut Hole in La Puente also sports some interesting pop architecture. Customers drive through the hole of two giant half doughnuts to get to the take-out window. Local lore has it that a ride through is good luck for honeymooners.

Randy's, built in 1952, is the most famous relic of the Big Donut chain, founded by Russ Wendell, a former doughnut machine salesman."

FULL STORY: Giant doughnuts in the sky are still around

Sunday, August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles Times

Architecture California Los Angeles Mimic Architecture Programmatic Architecture Randy's Donuts View More

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