Marin's Architectural Gem -- Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, California

by Darin Volpe

Title

Marin's Architectural Gem -- Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, California

Artist

Darin Volpe

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Marin County Civic Center is renowned for its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

“A good building is not one that hurts the landscape but is one that makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built. In Marin County you have one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen, and I am proud to make the buildings of the county characteristic of the beauty of the county.” - Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Marin County Civic Center was Wright's largest public project. It encompasses an entire campus of government buildings. The main structure consists of a three-story, 580-foot long Administration building and a four-story 880-foot long Hall of Justice connected by an 80-foot diameter rotunda. A single story post office, Wright's only federal project, is also on the campus.

Wright aimed for a government center with an inclusive design, opting for gold-anodized gates instead of conventional doors to seal the entrance to the expansive atrium. Inside, glass walls facilitate the influx of light to the interior spaces from both the atrium and the building's exterior. This architectural choice not only enhances openness but also aligns with Wright's commitment to maximal transparency in government operations.

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December 29th, 2023

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