THE
AMERICAN ARCHITECT
FOUNDED 1876
ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE OF CALIFORNIA
By Dwight James Baum, Architect
It was never my intention to attempt to write on architecture or to put down a series of criticisms for a professional magazine. It did happen, however, that some of the photographs I took on a Western trip came to the attention of the editor of
The American Architect, and I was asked to set forth my impressions of this architecture. This I am doing in the way of appreciation to those West Coast architects who are greatly adding to the store of better architecture in the United States.
The Northern California Chapter of the A. I. A. gave its 1927 award to Messrs. Bakewell and Brown and the late Sylvain Schnaittacher for their Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco. In making this distinguished honor in architecture, the jury referred to this Temple in their report as ˮA glorious building placed most effectively upon a difficult site, beautifully planned and modelled, with the utmost care and thought given to its details. ” This seems to me to express very clearly my impression of this church, as well as some of the other beautiful churches to be seen in Central and Southern California.
In Los Angeles, a similar award was given to Pierpont and Walter S. Davis for the design of St. John’s Episcopal Church. This building is without doubt an outstanding con
tribution to our church architecture. The details, inspired by the Renaissance, executed in the medium of cast concrete, are a decided novelty to an Eastern architect. Its front court and main facade, the clerestory treatment and the interesting patio courts and cloisters, all show serious thought. Equal study is shown in the beautiful details of the main features such as the outdoor corner pulpit and other equally interesting motifs. The simple treatment of the interior and the trussed raftered ceiling treated in color, express good taste throughout. There is a sense of coolness that gives a good climatic atmosphere.
The Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco, although heavier in character than St. John’s, is interesting in both mass and silhouette, with a fine
color note in the many roofs of Spanish tile. Although this design is somewhat modernistic in feeling, especially in the patio court, it expresses its function perfectly, and that is, after all, what should determine style. This building is also well detailed, with originality, and yet with charm. The interior, while somewhat heavy, is in keeping with the traditions of its use. The contrast of the stocky, colored marble columns to the textured walls lends interest and color to an otherwise plain effect.
VIEW FROM THE REAR
TEMPLE EMANU-EL, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
BAKEWELL & BROWN AND SYLVAIN SCHNAITTACHER, ASSOCIATE ARCHITECTS
Copyright, 1928, The Architectural & Building Press, Inc.
AMERICAN ARCHITECT
FOUNDED 1876
ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE OF CALIFORNIA
By Dwight James Baum, Architect
It was never my intention to attempt to write on architecture or to put down a series of criticisms for a professional magazine. It did happen, however, that some of the photographs I took on a Western trip came to the attention of the editor of
The American Architect, and I was asked to set forth my impressions of this architecture. This I am doing in the way of appreciation to those West Coast architects who are greatly adding to the store of better architecture in the United States.
The Northern California Chapter of the A. I. A. gave its 1927 award to Messrs. Bakewell and Brown and the late Sylvain Schnaittacher for their Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco. In making this distinguished honor in architecture, the jury referred to this Temple in their report as ˮA glorious building placed most effectively upon a difficult site, beautifully planned and modelled, with the utmost care and thought given to its details. ” This seems to me to express very clearly my impression of this church, as well as some of the other beautiful churches to be seen in Central and Southern California.
In Los Angeles, a similar award was given to Pierpont and Walter S. Davis for the design of St. John’s Episcopal Church. This building is without doubt an outstanding con
tribution to our church architecture. The details, inspired by the Renaissance, executed in the medium of cast concrete, are a decided novelty to an Eastern architect. Its front court and main facade, the clerestory treatment and the interesting patio courts and cloisters, all show serious thought. Equal study is shown in the beautiful details of the main features such as the outdoor corner pulpit and other equally interesting motifs. The simple treatment of the interior and the trussed raftered ceiling treated in color, express good taste throughout. There is a sense of coolness that gives a good climatic atmosphere.
The Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco, although heavier in character than St. John’s, is interesting in both mass and silhouette, with a fine
color note in the many roofs of Spanish tile. Although this design is somewhat modernistic in feeling, especially in the patio court, it expresses its function perfectly, and that is, after all, what should determine style. This building is also well detailed, with originality, and yet with charm. The interior, while somewhat heavy, is in keeping with the traditions of its use. The contrast of the stocky, colored marble columns to the textured walls lends interest and color to an otherwise plain effect.
VIEW FROM THE REAR
TEMPLE EMANU-EL, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
BAKEWELL & BROWN AND SYLVAIN SCHNAITTACHER, ASSOCIATE ARCHITECTS
Copyright, 1928, The Architectural & Building Press, Inc.