John Muir College

The John Muir College comprises nine Brutalist buildings. It is the second of six continuously occupied residential colleges at the University of California, San Diego. Its construction signaled the end to architect Robert Alexander’s master plan for UCSD, as Muir architect Robert Mosher favored a campus design that celebrated individuality and humanism. Muir College’s imposing concrete towers are softened by their relationship to the La Jolla geography and campus landscape architects Wimmer, Yamada & Caughey’s designs. Structures include: Applied Physics & Mathematics – 1966 (Robert Mosher), Mandler Hall – 1967 (Frank L. Hope & Associates), McGill Hall – 1967 (Frank L. Hope & Associates), Biology – 1968 (Liebhardt & Weston), Humanities & Social Sciences – 1968 (Richard G. Wheeler & Associates), Stewart Commons – 1968 (Dale Naegle), Tenaya Hall – 1968 (Dale Naegle), Tioga Hall – 1968 (Dale Naegle), Tuolumne Apartments – 1970 (Dale Naegle). Special thanks to Rohan Grover

San Diego Stadium (today: SDCCU Stadium)

The original stadium, sitting in a valley surrounded by hills, had a powerful enframed view of the mountains to the east. Unfortunately, additions to the stadium in 1984 and 1997 blocked this view. The principal designer of the stadium was Gary Allen, who spent his formative years in the office of Philip Johnson in New York City. In conjunction with structural engineer Steve Ermancoff, the design exhibits strong sculptural shapes and clarity of form. Because the engineering was beyond the capabilities of the City of San Diego Building Department, the architecture and engineering firms provided their own plan check. Pre-cast concrete and pre-wired light towers, dynamic spiral concrete pedestrian ramps and the world’s longest exterior escalator were innovative design features at the time. The form of the stadium is made up of eight concentric circles providing excellent sight lines for viewing. As the political-cultural trend of privatizing public spaces continues, this architectural work stands as a testament to the collective civic optimism and pride of 1960’s San Diego. Written by John Eisenhart

Geisel Library, University of California

The library of the University of California, San Diego was designed by Pereira to link brutalism and futurism. The five-story tower appears to simultaneously sit and levitate above the two subterranean floors and outdoor plaza. Special thanks to Rohan Grover

Details

Open Map

John Muir College

Details

Open Map

San Diego Stadium (today: SDCCU Stadium)

Details

Open Map

Index

Favorites

Map

About