Thomas S. Hines, UCLA Historian Who Elevated L.A. Modernism, Dies at 89

Thomas S. Hines, a historian at the University of California, Los Angeles, who played a pivotal role in establishing Los Angeles as a global center for modernist architecture and planning, has died at the age of 89. Hines, who passed away on August 7, 2026, was renowned for his scholarship that illuminated how the city's architects and planners shaped its identity as a hub of 20th-century modernist design. His work, which included influential books and numerous articles, helped shift academic and public attention to the architectural significance of the West Coast, challenging the traditional East Coast-centric narrative. Hines's research and teaching at UCLA inspired generations of students and scholars, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in the field of architectural history. His death marks the end of an era for those who study the built environment of Los Angeles and its global impact.