Postwar Polynesian Pop
Tiki architecture brought Polynesian Pop imagery into American restaurants, hotels, and leisure spaces, particularly after World War II. Buildings, interiors, and tropical landscaping worked together to create an imagined island retreat. In San Diego, the style became closely associated with tourism and the development of Shelter Island.
Prominent gables, projecting ridge beams, exposed timber, and wood or stone finishes gave these buildings a distinctive profile. Humphrey’s by the Bay Restaurant, originally the Tahitian, was built in 1964 to a design by Armet & Davis. Its dramatic A-frame entrance, extended structural members, and irregular limestone walls illustrate how a commercial building could make the setting part of the attraction.
What to look for
- Prominent gables with projecting or upswept ridge beams
- Exposed timber and natural wood or stone finishes
- Tropical landscaping and themed interior decoration
Sources and further reading
- Save Our Heritage Organisation: Tiki architecture guide (PDF)
- City of San Diego: Modernism Historic Context Statement (PDF)
- Save Our Heritage Organisation: Tiki Modern in San Diego