Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Copper Light Fixture
The Japanese woodcut image was probably the source for Bernal Libray's wave. It is a big one too -wiping out even the 1939 copper light fixture next to the front door.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa
The Great Wave off Kanagawa is a famous Japanese woodblock print by the Japanese artist Hokusai.
This Is NOT The Library Mural: Andover St. - Playground Retaining Wall Mural
It includes portraits of a range of neighborhood activists and characters of variegated backgrounds.
Josef Norris, the artist, did extensive community outreach and research to accomplish this.
New Book On San Francisco Murals
Local Bernal author, Annice Jacoby, has edited (for Precita Eyes Muralists) a great new resource on San Francisco murals. Note that the Bernal Library mural is not included in the book.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Meet The New Deal Library Crew
Let’s start with Frederick H. Meyer (1876 - 1961) the original architect of the most distinctive civic building in our village--the Bernal Branch Library. “Fred” to those of us who have become intimate with this renovation over the last two years, had no formal architectural training but began his career as a draftsman in a planing mill in the early 1890s. How’s that for representing the spirit of the WPA? He surely gained lots of experience after the 1906 disaster and is best known for the Humboldt Bank and Monadnock buildings in San Francisco. He also has two WPA public libraries to his name: The Bernal Library, 1940, and the West Portal Library, 1939.
Andrew Maloney, “Andy” to us, is with the City’s Bureau of Architecture and the architect in charge of our renovation. He has worked on numerous projects for the City including: The Mission Pool, Moscone Center Clubhouse, Visitacion Valley Clubhouse and the spectacular Education Center at the San Francisco Zoo. He is very interested in using reclaimed wood and created Indonesian red mahogany benches (from a monsoon blowdown) which you can see on Mission Street in front of the Jewish Museum. Two of his notable current projects include The Visitacion Valley Branch Library and The Sunnyside Conservatory.
Andy recruited a master craftsman, Davar Uzelac, to do all the custom woodwork in the library. He is from Croatia where both his father and grandfather were woodworkers. Davar is 'old school' believing in everything being done by hand. His esthetic complements Andy’s in the sense that no detail goes unnoticed: If you’ve got something that doesn’t line up right--well, you rip it out and do it over — that’s just what one does!
His skillful joinery is immediately obvious when you enter the building and is visible throughout. Doors, wainscoting, shelves, desks—every nook and cranny reveals his meticulous attention to detail which will make an impression and have a pleasing, lasting impact on anyone who spends time in the library. Davar praises Andy's skill as an architect, thinks he is extremely talented and appreciates this opportunity to collaborate.
Over the course of this project one would have observed a veritable U.N. of the trades inside: one crew spoke Spanish, one crew spoke Mandarin, one crew spoke Cantonese and there was a sprinkling of German, French, Italian and Croatian as well. We can’t wait to open the doors for business. It will be worth the wait thanks to the ‘good bones’ we had to begin with and the talent and dedication of the entire construction, design and renovation crews. Thank you all so much. The Bernal Heights Library will surely be the jewel in the crown of all the branch renovations and will be a shining example of the New Deal spirit for decades to come.
WPA and Meyer
A New Deal for Bernal and A New Day For Bernal Library
The WPA [Works Progress Administration, renamed the Work Projects Administration in 1939] was good to Bernal Heights. It provided much-needed construction jobs which created the Aztec Street steps, the grading and paving of Bernal Heights Blvd, and the St. Mary’s Park playground. But most importantly, the excavating, grading and wall-building of the Bernal Recreation Center’s field and playground literally paved the way for the construction of our jewel in the crown: the Bernal Heights Branch Library.
A second New Deal of sorts, in the name of the Branch Library Improvement Program, has been employing tradespeople all over San Francisco for the past several years. It’s interesting how today’s economic reality parallels that earlier era and once again the building of civic structures symbolizes hope for people.
In our neighborhood CDX Builders, a San Francisco company, were awarded the job and their crew has been steadily working on the renovation. Their effort is bringing architect Andrew Maloney’s vision to life.
Andy works with the Library Design Studio of the City’s Bureau of Architecture and his design is an intelligent and thoughtfully elegant response to the original building, which was designed by the well known and significant local architect Frederick H. Meyer. The renovation, as the original building, will clearly stand the test of time. Andy understands the bones of the building and is honoring them through his work. Our dusty architectural gem is being improved through his careful lead and the crew’s steady effort.
The interior workmanship is of superior quality: wood veneers painstakingly matched through careful refinishing, thoughtful use of tiling and flooring and creative use of lighting and ceiling finishes. The Beaux Arts staircase seamlessly dovetails with existing walls. The entire newly installed lower floor, which houses the public restrooms, children’s, meeting, and staff rooms has detailing which is fully integrated with the upper —not an easy feat—considering it was once a basement.
The front exterior façade now provides an access ramp which is gracefully sculpted to include public seating. There are new lighting fixtures which echo nearby streetlamps and the era of the original building. And a small veranda facing the corner provides a comfortable place for neighbors to converse and watch passersby. The south façade incorporates a second access ramp into the Children’s Room which does not intrude upon the architectural lines of the building.
Valerie and I have had the privilege of regular sneak-peaks of the work in order to snap photos for the blog. As you enter the dusty zone, you’ll first encounter the cacophony of accents and languages of the crew. Their common language is that of the builder’s and their focus is on skill and craft. They cannot wait to show off the finished product and are flattered and proud every time they hear us ooohing and ahhing over the transformation of the building. They really appreciate working with Andy, whose attention to detail and demanding standards are setting a high bar but teaching them a lot.
I remember my first experience of the building very well. I went to look at the library back in 2001 before my interview for the job. Even in its shabby state I could see a grand and lovely building and I knew that it would be a privilege to spend my days in such a space.
January is fast approaching and that means the long-awaited Grand Opening of the renovated Bernal Heights Library is near. You are all cordially invited. We look forward to announcing the exact date and time very soon.
Lisa Dunseth, Branch Librarian
Bernal Heights Branch Library
The WPA [Works Progress Administration, renamed the Work Projects Administration in 1939] was good to Bernal Heights. It provided much-needed construction jobs which created the Aztec Street steps, the grading and paving of Bernal Heights Blvd, and the St. Mary’s Park playground. But most importantly, the excavating, grading and wall-building of the Bernal Recreation Center’s field and playground literally paved the way for the construction of our jewel in the crown: the Bernal Heights Branch Library.
A second New Deal of sorts, in the name of the Branch Library Improvement Program, has been employing tradespeople all over San Francisco for the past several years. It’s interesting how today’s economic reality parallels that earlier era and once again the building of civic structures symbolizes hope for people.
In our neighborhood CDX Builders, a San Francisco company, were awarded the job and their crew has been steadily working on the renovation. Their effort is bringing architect Andrew Maloney’s vision to life.
Andy works with the Library Design Studio of the City’s Bureau of Architecture and his design is an intelligent and thoughtfully elegant response to the original building, which was designed by the well known and significant local architect Frederick H. Meyer. The renovation, as the original building, will clearly stand the test of time. Andy understands the bones of the building and is honoring them through his work. Our dusty architectural gem is being improved through his careful lead and the crew’s steady effort.
The interior workmanship is of superior quality: wood veneers painstakingly matched through careful refinishing, thoughtful use of tiling and flooring and creative use of lighting and ceiling finishes. The Beaux Arts staircase seamlessly dovetails with existing walls. The entire newly installed lower floor, which houses the public restrooms, children’s, meeting, and staff rooms has detailing which is fully integrated with the upper —not an easy feat—considering it was once a basement.
The front exterior façade now provides an access ramp which is gracefully sculpted to include public seating. There are new lighting fixtures which echo nearby streetlamps and the era of the original building. And a small veranda facing the corner provides a comfortable place for neighbors to converse and watch passersby. The south façade incorporates a second access ramp into the Children’s Room which does not intrude upon the architectural lines of the building.
Valerie and I have had the privilege of regular sneak-peaks of the work in order to snap photos for the blog. As you enter the dusty zone, you’ll first encounter the cacophony of accents and languages of the crew. Their common language is that of the builder’s and their focus is on skill and craft. They cannot wait to show off the finished product and are flattered and proud every time they hear us ooohing and ahhing over the transformation of the building. They really appreciate working with Andy, whose attention to detail and demanding standards are setting a high bar but teaching them a lot.
I remember my first experience of the building very well. I went to look at the library back in 2001 before my interview for the job. Even in its shabby state I could see a grand and lovely building and I knew that it would be a privilege to spend my days in such a space.
January is fast approaching and that means the long-awaited Grand Opening of the renovated Bernal Heights Library is near. You are all cordially invited. We look forward to announcing the exact date and time very soon.
Lisa Dunseth, Branch Librarian
Bernal Heights Branch Library
Meyer's buildings, partial list
Buildings:
Frederick H. Meyer designed two SF Public Libraries: West Portal (1936) and Bernal Heights (1940.)
[both are WPA buildings but neither are designated a SF Landmark building]
Six other branch libraries are designated as SF landmark buildings: Mission, Chinatown, Sunset, Presidio, Richmond and Noe Valley.
1. Civic Auditorium for Panama Pacific International Exposition with Howard and Reid.
2. San Francisco Civic Center Commission
3. Humboldt Bank
4. Monadnock Building
5. Elks Lodge in Bakersfield
6. California Hall and the YMCA in San Francisco
7. Lagunda Honda
8. San Francisco General, Howard, Meyer & Reid, [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
9. Sutter Hospital in Sacramento
10. numerous Pacific Gas & Electric substations [PG&E Station J is on the SF List of Landmarked buildings]; 445 Sutter Street; Steam Station S
11. 980 and 999 Bush Street, apartment buildings
12. Fisher Building, south side of Market Street
13. Kern County Court House in Bakersfield
14. Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Plant, Suisun Bay
15. Rosa Parks Elementary School [SF landmarked]
16. 1916 Octavia Street
17. 1901 Pacific Avenue
18. 2474-78 Broadway
19. Rialto Building, 116 New Montgomery
20. 2480 Broadway
21. 2032-34 Baker
22. 2021-23 Baker
23. *Cadillac Hotel, at the NW corner of Eddy / Leavenworth, [San Francisco Landmark #176.]
[NHR #01000028.]
24. 2756 Steiner [his home for 20 years until he moved to Sausalito]
25. 775 and 956 Post
26. 795 Sutter
27. 2195 Green
28. 2430 Pacific
29. 2595 Washington
30. 980 Bush St. SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
31. Elks Club at 456 Post Street
32. 2950 Broadway
33. *Union Iron Works Powerhouse [Bethlehem Alameda Shipworks, 2308 Webster St.,
[NHR # 1980000793] Union Iron Works Powerhouse, Marina Village Parkway Near Mariner Square.
34. *Coffin-Redington Building, 301 Folsom / 300 Beale St. [NHR # 01000028] [SF historic landmark #128]
35. *Security Bank and Trust Co., Oakland, 1000 Broadway [NHR #82002166] http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/ceda/revised/planningzoning/Commission/1100Broadway-LPABreport.pdfJPJ/RQ/SB
36. *YMCA Hotel, 351 Turk Street b/t Leavenworth and Hyde [NHR #86000148]
37. Mendel Apartments. 415 Jones Street.
38. 601 Polk St., German Association, was the CA Culinary Institute [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
39. 1100 Broadway, Oakland [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
40. SF Fire Dept. Pumping Station, 698 2nd Street [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
41. 569 Post St., Post and Taylor Garage / Musto Garage, from Splendid Survivors.
42. General Brewing Corporation or Lucky Lager, 2601 Newhall St, 1932 Polk Directory.
Frederick H. Meyer designed two SF Public Libraries: West Portal (1936) and Bernal Heights (1940.)
[both are WPA buildings but neither are designated a SF Landmark building]
Six other branch libraries are designated as SF landmark buildings: Mission, Chinatown, Sunset, Presidio, Richmond and Noe Valley.
1. Civic Auditorium for Panama Pacific International Exposition with Howard and Reid.
2. San Francisco Civic Center Commission
3. Humboldt Bank
4. Monadnock Building
5. Elks Lodge in Bakersfield
6. California Hall and the YMCA in San Francisco
7. Lagunda Honda
8. San Francisco General, Howard, Meyer & Reid, [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
9. Sutter Hospital in Sacramento
10. numerous Pacific Gas & Electric substations [PG&E Station J is on the SF List of Landmarked buildings]; 445 Sutter Street; Steam Station S
11. 980 and 999 Bush Street, apartment buildings
12. Fisher Building, south side of Market Street
13. Kern County Court House in Bakersfield
14. Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Plant, Suisun Bay
15. Rosa Parks Elementary School [SF landmarked]
16. 1916 Octavia Street
17. 1901 Pacific Avenue
18. 2474-78 Broadway
19. Rialto Building, 116 New Montgomery
20. 2480 Broadway
21. 2032-34 Baker
22. 2021-23 Baker
23. *Cadillac Hotel, at the NW corner of Eddy / Leavenworth, [San Francisco Landmark #176.]
[NHR #01000028.]
24. 2756 Steiner [his home for 20 years until he moved to Sausalito]
25. 775 and 956 Post
26. 795 Sutter
27. 2195 Green
28. 2430 Pacific
29. 2595 Washington
30. 980 Bush St. SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
31. Elks Club at 456 Post Street
32. 2950 Broadway
33. *Union Iron Works Powerhouse [Bethlehem Alameda Shipworks, 2308 Webster St.,
[NHR # 1980000793] Union Iron Works Powerhouse, Marina Village Parkway Near Mariner Square.
34. *Coffin-Redington Building, 301 Folsom / 300 Beale St. [NHR # 01000028] [SF historic landmark #128]
35. *Security Bank and Trust Co., Oakland, 1000 Broadway [NHR #82002166] http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/ceda/revised/planningzoning/Commission/1100Broadway-LPABreport.pdfJPJ/RQ/SB
36. *YMCA Hotel, 351 Turk Street b/t Leavenworth and Hyde [NHR #86000148]
37. Mendel Apartments. 415 Jones Street.
38. 601 Polk St., German Association, was the CA Culinary Institute [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
39. 1100 Broadway, Oakland [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
40. SF Fire Dept. Pumping Station, 698 2nd Street [SF Architecture, 720.9794 W8517s]
41. 569 Post St., Post and Taylor Garage / Musto Garage, from Splendid Survivors.
42. General Brewing Corporation or Lucky Lager, 2601 Newhall St, 1932 Polk Directory.
Frederick H. Meyer
Frederick H. Meyer -- June 26, 1876 - March 6, 1961,
[photo from uc berkeley environmental design archives]
was one of the most prolific and versatile architects in San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century and designed in a wide variety of styles and building types. He was born on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco and had no formal architectural training, but began his career as a draftsman in a planing mill in the early 1890s. He was active in the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 Earthquake and Fires and was on the San Francisco Board of Consulting Architects. He wholeheartedly embraced the City Beautiful Movement and in 1913, during Mayor Rolph's administration, was appointed to serve as one of the three members of the San Francisco Civic Center Commission, whose tasks included the evolution and supervision of the Civic Center plan. He designed, with John Reid and John Galen Howard, the Civic Center Auditorium. [John Reid, by the way, designed the Noe Valley Branch Library, a designated San Francisco Landmark as well as the Anza Branch.]
He was Regional Director of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and was named a Fellow in 1934. He was also a member of the State Board of Architectural Examiners for 15 years and its President for 5 of those.
During WWII he was appointed San Francisco’s Administrator of Defense Transportation and refused a salary to avoid “the meddling and monkey-wrench-hurling…by amateur meddlers and monkey-wrench-hurlers.”
He is best known for designing the Humboldt Bank and Monadnock buildings. Other notable local buildings include Laguna Honda Hospital, General Hospital, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company. The former two designs were lauded for their extensive use of glazing and incorporation of fire-safety systems. Meyer is also known for the Rialto Building at 116 New Montgomery, the Japanese YMCA at 1530 Buchanan Street and YMCA Hotel at 351 Turk Street. Most notable of all, as far as we are concerned, are the WPA branch libraries in West Portal** and Bernal Heights***.
Five of his buildings (3 in San Francisco) are on the National Historic Register [Security Bank and Trust Company, Union Iron Works Powerhouse, Coffin-Redington Building] and several are designated San Francisco Landmarks [Pacific Gas & Electric Station J; Rosa Parks Elementary School; Cadillac Hotel and the Coffin-Redington Building.]
Meyer's long and distinguished practice consisted primarily of public, commercial and industrial projects, including public libraries, breweries, hospitals, and public schools. In all, he designed more than 15 large office and commercial buildings, ten industrial plants (including three breweries), eight hospitals, three schools, eight City of San Francisco projects (including fire houses and libraries), numerous apartment buildings and five major club and association buildings. But he also designed several private residences including 2756 Steiner Street which was his home for over 20 years before he retired to Sausalito.
*Not to be confused with a man of the same name who founded the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.
**West Portal Branch Library also had a mural on it which has been painted over. It’s interesting to note that the librarian who instigated the Bernal mural later transferred to the West Portal Branch. During her tenure there, a mural featuring staff, was painted on the front of that building. It was painted over in Oct/Nov 2000, with no complaint from the neighborhood. West Portal reopened after its renovation in Feb. 2007 with a clean facade.
***Other WPA projects in Bernal Heights include: the Aztec Street steps, the grading and paving of Bernal Heights Blvd., grading and rubble wall building at the Bernal Recreation Center field and playground site in preparation for the Library construction, and the St. Mary’s Park playground.
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