Sketching a slice of Transylvania – a drawing tutorial by Dan Hogman
by Dan HogmanSep 18, 2019
•make your fridays matter with a well-read weekend
by Dan HogmanPublished on : Sep 25, 2019
The Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles sits inside the historic fabric of United Artists Building – the one that was built as a flagship for the maverick film studio, and was once the tallest structure in the city post its construction in 1927, by architect C. Howard Crane. The 2014 refurbished hotel features Gothic-inspired architectural elements with ornate details and spires inspired from the ornament extravagance of Spanish castles and cathedrals. Today, it stands as an expression of the decadence of 1920s Hollywood glamour and democracy of modern minimalism.
This week, our columnist Dan Hogman seeks inspiration in the façade of this building that manifests elegance through its impressive terracotta and cast stone cladding. He zooms into the lower three storeys, and sketches beautifully its symmetrical design and details, which include Gothic tracery, double-wide arched windows, capital columns, and decorative human figures that alternate between the piers.
Watch this space every Wednesday for more tutorials by Dan Hogman.
by Sunena V Maju Apr 02, 2026
An Eid dinner in New York becomes a lens into the Turkish American architect’s ideas of space, migration and community.
by Pranjal Maheshwari Apr 01, 2026
The eight new sea-view terrace suites within the wine-factory-turned-hotel offer a warm retreat ‘floating’ on a pared down structural frame overlooking the Ionian Sea.
by Pranjal Maheshwari Mar 31, 2026
The luxury hospitality designers synthesise an eastern architectural spirit clad in a structurally expressive shell, launching their Tokyo office as a material and cultural archive.
by Mrinmayee Bhoot Mar 27, 2026
Following the Film Heritage Foundation's restoration of In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, STIR probes the hopes and quirks of 70s architecture students and their relevance today.
surprise me!
make your fridays matter
SUBSCRIBEEnter your details to sign in
Don’t have an account?
Sign upOr you can sign in with
a single account for all
STIR platforms
All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices.
Stay STIRred
Already have an account?
Sign inOr you can sign up with
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Enter the 6-digit code sent at
Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process
by Dan Hogman | Published on : Sep 25, 2019
What do you think?