A design studio at 362 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills functioned as the base for Paul László for over 25 years, beginning in 1941. This Hungarian-born architect and designer, whose birth name was Lamberger Pal, navigated a career that transitioned from early success in Europe to a highly lucrative professional practice in the United States.
European Origins and Transition
Born in 1900 in Debrecen, László completed his architectural education in Vienna before relocating to Stuttgart. He established a significant reputation as a designer in Europe prior to 1936. However, rising Nazism and his Jewish ancestry forced a departure from the continent. While he formally accepted a teaching position at the Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria in Chile, he secured passage to New York City in 1936 instead. During his early years, his designs were paradoxically utilized within Adolf Hitler's Kehlsteinhaus, a fact that reportedly caused frustration for Albert Speer.
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Upon arriving in the United States, László drove to Beverly Hills to open his practice. By 1952, his business generated $1.5 million in annual revenue. His approach was comprehensive, often designing interior layouts, exterior detailing, and custom furniture. Between 1948 and 1952, he collaborated with designers such as George Nelson, Charles Eames, and Isamu Noguchi for the Herman Miller company. He also partnered with the California-based manufacturer Brown Saltman.
Retail, Commercial, and Futurist Projects
László shifted his focus toward retail and commercial environments during the 1960s. His portfolio includes department store designs for Saks Fifth Avenue, Bullock's Wilshire, Ohrbach's, Goldwater's, J. W. Robinson's, Hudson's Bay, and Halls at Crown Center. Additionally, he designed showroom spaces and casinos for Howard Hughes in Las Vegas. His interest in specialized structures led to the design of bomb shelters for John D. Hertz and the conceptualization of Atomville, a proposal for an underground city submitted to the U.S. Air Force.
Service and Legacy
László served in the Hungarian artillery on the Italian front during World War I and later enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. Throughout his career, he mentored individuals including William Krisel, who served as his apprentice in the 1940s. He retired in the early 1990s and passed away in 1993 in Santa Monica. His archives are held by the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his work is featured in retrospectives at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Fast facts
- Born: 1900, Debrecen, Hungary
- Died: 1993, Santa Monica, California
- Burial site: Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
- Primary occupations: Architect and designer
- Notable studio location: 362 North Rodeo Drive
- World War I service: Hungarian artillery, Italian front
- World War II service: United States Army
- Second wife: Maxine Fife
Questions readers ask
What was the nature of Paul László's retail design work?
He designed interiors and buildings for major department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bullock's Wilshire, and Hudson's Bay.
Where are Paul László's professional archives located?
His original materials were donated to the Architecture and Design Collection at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
