Uncovering women's roles in LA historical landmarks, one building at a time

With its towering blade sign and space-age aesthetic, the Hollywood Premiere Motel is a classic example of 1960s Googie architecture. The building also features the essential ingredients of its era: a dramatic porte-cochère entrance, requisite parking directly outside each room, and bold neon signage designed to catch the eye of motorists along Hollywood's bustling streets.

When the motel received Historic-Cultural Monument status by the Los Angeles City Council earlier this year, it made headlines as L.A.'s first landmarked motel. But buried in the original nomination was a detail that almost went unnoticed: architect Joyce Miller, who designed the mid-century modern building in 1960.

Miller represents a troubling pattern in Los Angeles preservation.

The missing role of women in LA’s