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Bay Area Houses
Articles by architectural authorities, focus on the people and trends that contributed to the evolution of the distinctive architectural
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
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October 4, 2024
Sally B Woodbridge is such a savage lmao I love her. It was cool learning about why homes in Berkeley/Oakland/SF tend to be more architecturally interesting, thoughtful, and beautiful compared to other Bay Area residential developments. This reaffirmed my love for Julia Morgan, introduced me to Roger Lee, and opened my eyes to all the incredible homes built in the East Bay.
“What set the work of [Thomas, Gutterson, Ratcliff, Yelland, Jones, Comstock] apart was their peculiar way of using these historical forms and details; the complexity of their forms and spaces; and their desire fully to exploit the site as a major ingredient in creating a romantic aura.”
On John Galen Howard's own home in Berkeley (a wooden masterpiece surrounded by forest, with unobstructed ocean views): "Each level of the house corresponds to a specific area of the grounds; thus there is not a single, static-object-seen-from different-views relationship with the garden, but a constantly changing spatial/visual relationship. The house becomes a shelter from which to enjoy the seasonal drama of the garden. The views of the Bay are still there, but the house does not focus on them; they form a subliminal background which relates this private and protected place to the world beyond."
W.R. Yelland after visiting France, which inspired his Normandy Village in Berkeley: "Everywhere there is a strange atmosphere of simplicity and contentment. I am inclined to feel that, partly anyway, the happy, informal way of building has affected their lives."
“What set the work of [Thomas, Gutterson, Ratcliff, Yelland, Jones, Comstock] apart was their peculiar way of using these historical forms and details; the complexity of their forms and spaces; and their desire fully to exploit the site as a major ingredient in creating a romantic aura.”
On John Galen Howard's own home in Berkeley (a wooden masterpiece surrounded by forest, with unobstructed ocean views): "Each level of the house corresponds to a specific area of the grounds; thus there is not a single, static-object-seen-from different-views relationship with the garden, but a constantly changing spatial/visual relationship. The house becomes a shelter from which to enjoy the seasonal drama of the garden. The views of the Bay are still there, but the house does not focus on them; they form a subliminal background which relates this private and protected place to the world beyond."
W.R. Yelland after visiting France, which inspired his Normandy Village in Berkeley: "Everywhere there is a strange atmosphere of simplicity and contentment. I am inclined to feel that, partly anyway, the happy, informal way of building has affected their lives."
Displaying 1 of 1 review