Presidio Library - San Francisco6/7/2011 Presidio Branch Library - San Francisco The Presidio Branch Library on Sacramento Street is my neighborhood library and I've loved it since I moved into the neighborhood. The building was built in 1921 with Carnegie funds by the beaux arts trained architect Albert Lansburgh. This year the library re-opened after a $4M renovation. The renovation left both the interior and exterior largely intact with no obvious trace of the work completed - probably a good thing. When I first moved to San Francisco, I read the novella "Trout Fishing in America" by Richard Brautigan, a San Francisco author who died tragically young. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was a frequent visitor to this library and used it as a setting for his 1970 novel "The Abortion". A few years ago they had an exhibit of his work, letters, and relationship with the library. Drawing by Andrea Palladio Presidio Library Architect Albert Lansburgh followed the trend at the time of incorporating "classical" architectural elements into public buildings. In this case, he was clearly looking at works by the great Renaissance Italian architect Andrea Palladio. Palladio is perhaps one of the most influential architects of all time as his work has inspired buildings around the world for over 500 years. The often copied palladian arch featured a central arched opening with two small side openings separated by columns. The renaissance palladian arch is actually derived from earlier triumphal arches as seen in the Roman Forum two thousand years ago. The drawing at the left is the palladian arch drawn by Palladio for the Basillica in Vicenza that was completed in 1617. Like all "good" architects, I traveled to Vicenza to see the master's work. San Francisco didn't have the funds to cover the entire front with a granite faced palladian facade like the Basillica, but as is common in many public buildings, they put it where they thought it counts the most. Set against a brick background, this singular element contrasts nicely. For a neighborhood library, it's pretty grand.
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Galleria - San Francisco and Milan6/6/2011 Stonestown Galleria - San Francisco Problems with my iphone took me to the Apple Store in the Stonestown Galleria on 19th Avenue near Lake Merced. Coming out of the escalator I snapped this picture of the main galleria atrium. Built in 1952, Stonestown was the first shopping mall in San Francisco and one of the first in California. Typical of the mall design of 1950's, you could drive and park next to the stores and here was no interior pedestrian street that is common in malls today. The pedestrian atrium above was formerly a "street" with parking. Fading in popularity, Stonestown Shopping Mall was completely redesigned in 1987 enclosing the street with a sky-lit pedestrian area and re-christened the Stonestown Galleria. Its a popular alternative to downtown shopping for people traveling on the west side of town. Located next to San Francisco State University, Lowell High School and across the street from Mercy High School, it's a popular hang out for teens. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milan You might think the sky-lit atrium shopping mall was a 20th century invention, but it has been done before and done quite well. Perhaps the most compelling is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan where the main axis fronts on the main square in Milan -- the Piazza del Duomo with the Teatra alla Scala on the other side of the piazza. Built in 1861, the industrial revolution in Europe made light airy cast iron steel structures like this possible. Inspired by this magnificent space, architects designed new "Gallerias" everywhere. This is the original. Acanthus Leaf The acanthus plant in our lush garden on Pine Street has bright green leaves. A symbol of re-birth, it has inspired architects and artists since ancient Greece. It adorns the top of the Corinthian column. The Corinthian Column History and theory play an important part of becoming an architect. Without it the 1980's Post Modernism would not have happened. Post Modernism was a recall of historical styles and response to the spare minimalist International Style in vogue the previous 50 years. In the International Style, beauty was found in form and function - stripped of ornamentation. Beneath the unadorned building planes, however, Greek ideals of columns and proportions still resonate. I remember working in the office of David H. Horn FAIA in Fresno as a summer intern. I overheard him discussing the Greek ideas of expressing a column when he was designing the Fresno Federal Building (now the Fresno Superior Court) in the "modern style".
Today, we have "rediscovered" mid-20th century design. All things continually evolve. Of course some never lost their love of ornamentation. The Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns are known as the classic order and the Corinthian column is the most decorative of the three orders with acanthus leaves adorning the top. The Greek column went on to influence Roman, European, and world architecture. Walk down any main street in American and you will see its continuing influence. I took this photo (above right) while walking on Sacramento Street where a charming, simplified and stylized depiction of the acanthus leaf adorned the top of a pilaster. Villa d'Este handrail outside of Rome On May 5, 2011, I wrote about how much I wanted to change the handrail in our Pine Street house. One example I saw last year is giving me ideas about what I want to do. This example here is at the 17th century Villa d'Este outside of Rome at the famous Tivoli Gardens. It looks as if the bracket and the handrail are one seamless element without any interruption of flow. In this case the one seamless element is metal so it is still cold to the touch.
The attachment at the wall is hidden behind the plaster - simple and elegant. As much as I like this design, I still want to avoid the cold touch of metal. Wood seems to be the logical response to this concern, but wood brackets would lack the strength and elegance of this metal solution. My solution would need a hard close-grained wood that is smooth and warm to the touch. The bracket would be metal with a shape and elegance like this one. Stay tuned as I explore the world of handrails. Last Thursday May 26, 2011 Mock/Wallace partner Ron Wallace appeared before the SF Planning Commission to address the concerns of the neighbors regarding the opening of a Guatamalan restaurant. A plan to enclose the rear outdoor dining area solved the problem of noise and odor which were the primary objections of the neighbors. Even some of the neighbors directly adjacent to the project now support the project! In this photo taken from my television set, Commissioner Antonini voices his support of the project that will bring more than 60 new jobs to San Francisco. Pollo Campero is one step closer to opening its doors in the Mission. My sister-in-law on her wedding day. Most of us have someone close who has some type of disability - someone who uses a wheelchair or an aged parent or grandparent who is frail. Providing accessibility can be a challenge particularly when it can be confusing and potentially costly. Just following the advice of the local building department and the California Building Code (CBC) may still leave you vulnerable. Most accessibility lawsuits today are based not on violations of the building codes, but on the violation of civil rights under the (Federal) American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The provision of the ADA are enforced by the Federal Courts not by the local Building Department. The Department of Justice requires State Accessibility Codes be certified by the Federal Government as meeting the minimum requirements of the ADA. To date, the California Building Code (CBC) has not been certified and there are significant differences between the CBC and the ADA. The most important thing to remember is that under ADA, all buildings completed after January 26, 1992 are considered new construction and are required to be fully compliant with ADA standards unless you can demonstrate it is structurally impossible to comply. Enforcement is increasing and owners of non-accessible public facilities are starting to feel the pressure. Reasonably accommodation and equivalent facilitation are not concepts specifically discussed in the Federal Standards. Although local building departments (Building Official) may accept what you have done as equivalent facilitation, it may still fall short of meeting Federal Standards and put you in violation of the ADA. We advise our clients at Mock/Wallace not to rely only on the judgement of the local building official, but to make their own assessment. I was in SOMA walking to lunch on 4th Street towards Brannan when I spotted these yellow numbers set against a grey wall. It is the address of Zuppa Restaurant, an interesting place I haven't tried yet. The yellow and grey provide a nice high contrast without being too jarring. The font style reminded me of Corbusier Stencil Fonts. Chris has a set of metal stencil fonts that she used on (hand) drawings. They pay homage to one of the great architects of the 20th Century and give drawings a stylish look. She would lay the stencils on top of the drawing and using a soft lead pencil, form a letter allowing the pencil stroke to remain visible as part of the gestalt. Architects pay attention to the environment and try to do everything with a sense of visual purpose. By practicing this at all times, it becomes part of your approach to life. Le Corbusier's name was actually Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, but like stars today, came to be known by a single name. He was an architect, artist, and furniture designer whose iconic Corbusier Chair can be seen in modern interiors everywhere. Learn and be inspired by a Master. I found this website that gives a history of the Corbusier stencil font as well as this link to the Corbusier Foundation. As I was putting away dishes one morning, I was admiring the Heath Ceramic bowls and cups that Chris bought. Chris once took me to the Heath Ceramic factory outlet near the picturesque houseboats in Sausalito, where they are still made today. They reflect a very California quality about them with their earthy colors and robust forms. Today Heath Ceramics have new owners who carry on the same tradition and now they also make ceramic tiles. Green Chile Kitchen - San Francisco Green Chile Kitchen a New Mexico inspired restaurant at McAllister and Baker Streets in San Francisco gets it. They use Heath Ceramics for their food service in their restaurant. It sets off the food beautifully. Green Chile Kitchen is informal, inexpensive, loud, sometimes crowded, and -- Chris loves their posole. San Francisco Planning Commission Hisashi Sugaya, Kathrin Moore, Rodney Fong, Gwyneth Borden, Michael Antonini, Christina Olague, Ron Miguel Proposed location for new San Francisco Pollo Campero Restaurant Codes in general and particularly Planning codes shape the form of buildings and cities. In San Francisco the Planning Commission consists of 7 members appointed by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors. They have the responsibility to review projects and interpret conformance to planning codes. They hold public hearings and listen to various points of views and make decisions in the interest of the public good. This Thursday, April 26, 2011, my Mock/Wallace partner Ron Wallace will be representing our clients before the Planning Commission in their efforts to open a restaurant in a currently empty storefront on a busy section of Mission Street. In this case, there are conflicts between interest groups. For our clients, it is their desire to open a business working within the requirements of the planning and building code. For residential neighbors whose rear yard abuts the Mission District commercial district, it is their desire for peace and quiet. One could wonder why someone who purchases a residence next to busy Mission Street would be surprised and offended to find commercial activities occupying properties next to them. The City Planning staff has reviewed the proposed project and after hearing all points of view to date, have recommended the Planning Commission approve the project. Never-the-less, there are valid points on both sides and in this case the San Francisco Planning Commission has the power to make the decision on whether or not our clients can proceed, and if so what additional requirements are required as a condition of approval. The Planning Commission is powerful as they can waive or add additional requirements of the code. The hearings are televised and when I stumble on them channel surfing, I sometimes watch in fascination as this process unfolds. White Çhalk on Red Wall I came across this section of red wall on Folsom Street anonymously "decorated" with white chalk. It's structured yet lively and spontaneous. Funny how chalk continues to be used even though other drawing materials are more convenient and readily available. Stylish restaurants sometimes use chalk on blackboards to show the changing menu and perhaps to evoke simpler times and establish a happy mood. Most people have used chalk at some time in their lives -- probably as a child and for most those were happy times. You can't use chalk without being aware of its sensual and tactile qualities, the way it engages the surface and reveals textures, the sound of chalk grinding on the surface, the way it breaks if you press too hard, and the way it leaves powder on your hands so you know you have drawn. I try to think about architecture and how the design of things and materials can evoke feeling within ourselves. My first courses in architecture at UC Berkeley explored just these concepts and although it didn't seem "serious" at the time, those exercises still inform my work at Mock/Wallace. AuthorCatagories
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