Marin Center Renaissance Partnership Project


FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT LOOKED TO THE ROMANS IN USING ARCHES IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUEDUCTS TO SPAN LARGE DISTANCES. WHILE DRAWING PARTICULAR INSPIRATION FROM PONT DU GARD IN NIMES, WRIGHT DESIGNED THE MARIN CIVIC CENTER USING A LIGHT SCREEN OF ARCHES IN A SIMPLE PALETTE OF MATERIALS TO RECALL THE AQUEDUCTS. THE BUILDING SEEMINGLY EXTENDS ABOVE THE GROUND TO GRACEFULLY SPAN THE HILLS AND PROVIDES A CIVIC PRESENCE FOR THE COUNTY OF MARIN.

DESIGNED AFTER WRIGHT'S DEATH, THE AUDITORIUM AND EXHIBIT HALL BUILDINGS LACK THE LIGHT, SCREEN-LIKE CHARACTER OF THE CIVIC CENTER. WITH TALL WINDOWLESS WALLS THESE BUILDINGS ARE GROUNDED AND INWARDLY FACING