Around SF - Marin Civic Center

Circles
Originally uploaded by Ame Otoko

Though I have worked within half a mile of the Marin Civic Center for 5 years now, it was only this week that I finally ventured inside. The occasion was a test run for my new Sigma 10-20mm lens which I bought specifically for indoor architectural shots (although I’m sure it will have many other great uses).

The building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1957. Apparently, it was part of a larger project that was designed to make the surrounding area (a park, lake, and theatre) a center for community gathering. The 2,000 seat theatre was eventually built, though not exactly as Wright had designed it, but much of the other park design was abandoned.

The old blueprints are displayed in the building and it is immediately apparent that circles were a theme that Wright intended to use throughout the project. The theatre is also a perfect circle, and there is a sad little barren island in the lake which is also a circle, which was apparently supposed to be “Children’s Island”. The circular theme takes many shapes inside the building, from the windows to the seating to the door handles and even much of the signage.

I’m not a huge fan of the look of this building, but I have to admit it is quite a spectacle inside. The roundness of the design combined with the lengthiness of the corridors make you feel like you are in a spaceship rather than a public office building. Hollywood has not overlooked this fact either, using the Marin Civic Center as the filming location for two futuristic movies: Gattica (1997) and THX 1138 (1971).

The only negative thing I can say about the interior design is the hideous color scheme of orangish-brown with brass accents. I’ll bet it was really cool in 1957, but now, it simply looks dated. In fact, I disliked the color so much, I desaturated all the photos I took inside there to black and white.

More photos here.