Louis Armét co-founded the architectural firm Armét & Davis in 1947 with partner Eldon Davis in Santa Monica, California. The firm became renowned for pioneering the Googie architecture style that defined Southern California's mid-century coffee shop and restaurant culture. Under Armét's leadership, the firm designed over 4,000 buildings across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Indonesia. Helen Liu Fong, one of the few prominent Asian American women architects of her era, worked as a designer at the firm during the 1950s and 60s, contributing to their iconic Googie designs.
The practice later expanded when Victor Newlove joined in 1963 and became partner in 1972, transforming it into Armét Davis Newlove Architects. Armét & Davis have been referred to as 'the Frank Lloyd Wright of '50s coffee shops,' with their designs coming to define the concept of 'coffee shop' for much of America.
NOTABLE WORKS
Johnie's Coffee Shop/Romeo's Times Square (1956), Los Angeles – LAHCM, designed by Helen Liu Fong
Pann's Restaurant (1958), Ladera Heights – designed by Helen Liu Fong
Norms Restaurant #1 (1957), West Hollywood – designed by Helen Liu Fong
Penguin Coffee Shop/Mel's Drive-In (1959), Santa Monica
Bob's Big Boy #147 (1964), Pasadena – now Coco's
LEGACY
Over 4,000 buildings designed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Indonesia