Sunday May 31! In the vast stillness of the Mojave Desert stands The Integratron, a structure that continues to defy simple definition. Conceived in the mid-20th century by George Van Tassel, this remarkable all-wood, acoustically precise dome stands out as a gem of architecture, science, as well as a metaphysical sanctuary.
This historic and first of its kind event is a rare opportunity to meet Nancy Karl and Joanne Karl, two of the owners and stewards, who not only carefully restored the structure and the surrounding property, preserve it until present, but also evolved its legacy into what is now recognized worldwide as one of most important destinations for sound therapy.
As the originators of this transformative practice, the Karl sisters carry forward a lineage that bridges experimental science, healing, and deep listening. The evening will be hosted by artist, sound practitioner and former apprentice at The Integratron, Patricia Vernhes, whose journey reflects a direct transmission of knowledge, grounding this conversation in lived practice.
You are invited to explore the extraordinary properties, unique acoustic phenomena, and the scientific inquiries that continue to surround it; at once a masterpiece of design and an instrument of resonance, the structure invites us to reconsider the boundaries between space, sound, and human experience.
Joining the discussion is Daniel Paul, whose work was instrumental in securing its place at the National Register of Historic Places in April 2018. Daniel’s insight situates this unique site within a broader cultural and historical framework, affirming its position as one of the most singular structures of our time.
Get your tickets now at prs.org/events ✨
Yesterday I was working at Daily Brew, Riverside, CA (highly recommended!) I looked over and saw what I thought was an elaborately decorated box. It turned out to be this Bible. Its maker, a local homemaker named Katie Hite, proceeded to have an incredible conversation with me about creativity, and how she aesthetically experiences God. The pens are her creations too. She knew of Lisa Frank, but I was able to share with her about the Fauvists, Josef Albers with his color theories, and the existence of the Norton Simon Museum. She said she felt inspired, which made me happy. I saw her leave as I was outside taking a call and when I went back in, that was on my computer bag (last slide)!
I’m part of a panel with two of the sisters who own the Integratron, and will be giving a brief talk with some slides. Then at the end, everybody gets a sound bath! This will be at the special @philosophical_research_society Los Feliz, on Sunday night, May 31 at 7 PM. I will put a link in the profile if anybody cares to get a ticket, and go!
Book of the Week: The Westin Bonaventure’s City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Application, by Daniel Paul.
“Having just graduated from CSUN where I wrote a master’s thesis on the origin story of Late-Modern mirror glass, I wrote this Historic-Cultural Monument application in 2005. Wanting to see the building preserved, I researched and wrote this on my own. At the time there was some sort of lawsuit between the property owner the City about their funding of L.A. Live, and fearing the owner would perceive this as retribution, the City discouraged the application’s submittal. The property owner, with whom I briefly spoke, opposed the submittal, and besides, as the City mentioned back then, ‘nobody is ready for the 1970s yet.’ The build years are off and these applications run longer now, but otherwise the document more or less holds. I remember enjoying the process of working on this.” - @danieldpaul
#bookoftheweek
Well, at the last minute last night @carolcetrone invited me to Taix for its last night. Arriving around 8, it ended up being a most remarkable night, and together, around 2:15am, we closed the place. A classmate first took me to Taix in 2003, and we had lunch in the white dining room (still my favorite- slide 2). Carol and I, along with Charlie Fisher, wrote and shepherded the City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument application to save Taix. I came later, and wrote an addendum to Charlie’s draft, that Taix’ significance is grounded in it possessing one of the last continental dining interiors in Los Angeles (link in the profile if anyone cares to read my part). Our nomination actually passed: City HCM No. 1227- but the City Council person absolutely gutted it. Saving a bar top and two exterior signs is neither the spirit nor intent of what we wrote. Rarely if ever do I take on a project if it’s likely to fail, but I have loved Taix so much, for so long, that I was willing to try for it, no matter what. Carol, you were the real hero in this. Some of the pictures - the taupe ones (!)- are from my PowerPoint to the Cultural Heritage Commission back in 2020. I can’t speak to the hypothetical Taix 2029 condo reincarnation. All I know is that this was a beloved, magical, and resonant space. Goodbye Taix.
Finally getting around to mentioning that I recently began a new job as an architectural historian for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)…so far so good!
I’m delighted to announce that the Ojai Playhouse movie theater, opened on August 15, 1914 as the Isis, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places! The second oldest movie theater in Ventura County, CA, it has long been a core part of Ojai, as its primary movie venue for over 110 years. The theater predates Ojai itself- the town was then named “Nordhoff.” Briefly owned by Theosophists, Jiddu Krishnamurti went there to watch Disney movies, show tunes, and films about animals. This project was a two-year process, made possible by theater impresario David Berger (pictured on stage there in the distance in the interior shot) who recently revitalized the Ojai Playhouse, and now oversees the amazing programming. Do go, and support our remaining single-screen movie theaters in the process! @ojaiplayhouse
In Roman antiquity, genius loci referred to a protective deity that would guard over a specific place and its inhabitants. The expression has evolved into shorthand for the spirit of a place, only hinting at its ties to the numinous. Daniel Paul (@danieldpaul ), a La Crescenta-based architectural historian and preservationist, believes that the genius loci of Southern California lies in its ineffable atmosphere. He arrived at this conclusion through landmarking some particularly esoteric sites in a region considered by many to be lacking in substance.
“There’s this cliché of Southern California as being lightweight, and I don’t take that as a criticism,” he tells me, on a sun-drenched Easter Sunday at Ananda Ashrama, a non-sectarian house of worship nestled in the lush foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Although Paul doesn’t regularly attend services here, he felt it would be a fitting location for an interview, given our shared interest in secluded sacred sites. Deer graze freely on the surrounding 120 acres, buildings are outfitted with curved archways, and the bookshop’s theme of the month—Bliss of Higher Vision—feels entirely appropriate.
Against this serene backdrop, Paul expands further: “I just think about this idea of being non-gravitational and free floating: the light, the climate, the topography, and the de-centered nature of life out here has lent itself to an openness in thinking, practicing, and designing.”…
continued on page 108 of Issue 03 🕊️
subscribe at thepanafold.com/subscribe to read the full story by Lex Gelb (@raspberry_oil ) in print ✨
Was recently asked by a Brussels collaborative to take part in an interview/ discourse with @tiborbielicky + @ellenaehrl of the Zurich firm @ehrlbielicky , regarding the advent of the smooth granite corporate vernacular, and the mirror glass skin before that. The publication “Corporate Skincare” with its printed dialog between us, is out now. The show, located at @architecture_curating_practice , looked so beautiful. Curated and produced by @aicha_louise@juliette.francesca@amor.immeuble Link to article in profile.
Happy Birthday Mr. Brian Wilson: June 20 (today). I made a playlist of some of his 1970s-era songs that many may not know, but that I love listening to. May You Rest Well. Link in profile! @brianwilsonlive
Here is a little more on the Integratron, in honor having Jack Wagner, with his podcast @otherworldpod ask me about the Integratron. Everything here will make sense, as you listen in! Link in profile.
