Arthur Page Brown — “Architecture of California” (1894)
Introduction
On December 30, 1894, architect Arthur Page Brown — designer of the Ferry Building and a leading figure in San Francisco's pre-1906 architectural culture — contributed "Architecture of California" to the San Francisco Chronicle. Surveying a city dominated by wooden commercial structures and speculative haste, Brown made an arresting case: that San Francisco's impermanent building stock should be swept away and replaced with masonry construction, monumental public buildings, and a coherent civic plan.
Most strikingly, he suggested that only "a sweeping fire, accompanied by earthquake" might clear the way. Twelve years later, on April 18, 1906, it did.
Presented here on the anniversary of that catastrophe, Brown's essay offers insight into the civic imagination that preceded it — and into the architectural ambitions that would shape the city's rebuilding.
TEXT OF THE ARTICLE AS PUBLISHED
Architecture Of California
I have been asked to write something about the possibilities of the future architecture of San Francisco.
The present aspect of the city, viewed from such an eminence as the tower of the Chronicle building, shows that a new and more monumental class of buildings is beginning to make an impression on a city of possibly the most uninteresting collection of wooden structures ever erected. A sweeping fire, accompanied by earthquake, would accomplish great good if we could have it without loss of life. Phœnix-like there would, perhaps, arise a city that would eclipse any American seaport. Even a dozen competing railroads could not do as much universal good. The Chicago fire was a blessing in disguise, for the type of buildings erected before that great fire was similar in many ways to the type we have here so many examples of along our main thoroughfares—buildings which were erected for immediate use and revenue. The haste is pardonable in many instances, but the time has come when these early structures must give way to more substantial and attractive buildings, and fortunately, I do not think that some of our modern buildings are any more expensive.
A sweeping fire, accompanied by earthquake, would accomplish great good if we could have it without loss of life. Phœnix-like there would, perhaps, arise a city that would eclipse any American seaport.
San Francisco has many examples of good architecture, erected when both brick and stone were imported from China. Now, however, we have both abundance of native building material and the best of skilled labor. There is no reason, therefore, why this city should not have a style of architecture both appropriate and interesting. There is no doubt in my mind that the architectural abominations of San Francisco are cause of much of our lack of progress in other directions.
It is most unfortunate that when the streets were originally laid out so little attention was paid to artistic and architectural effects. A great opportunity was lost in not making a striking and beautiful feature of winding roads and terraced gardens, which would give a setting to dwellings and other buildings on our hills that could not otherwise have been obtained. It is not too late to remedy this in some ways, however, as nearly all the buildings and dwellings are of material which cannot last many years. The space about the new City Hall should be increased by the condemnation of adjoining property, and a proper City Hall Park should be placed there, which would both lend dignity to the present structure and provide a breathing place for the city. Even small parks are a relief to the long lines of uninteresting buildings and can be maintained in such a way that they would not be expensive features. The main approach to Golden Gate Park also should be taken in hand and a magnificent entrance of marble or granite should be provided for.
The broken skylines of occasional lofty buildings is a necessary misfortune which we cannot avoid, but which we may, in many ways, soften and ameliorate. For all buildings erected solely for revenue rational limitations should be imposed. Sanitary reasons alone should bring about legal limitations as to the height of the buildings here as elsewhere. The rigidity of the building laws of Vienna gave that city the beautiful Ring Strasse, and most of the European cities have become architecturally beautiful by the enactment of similar laws regulating the character and appropriateness of permanent structures. The lofty office building has revolutionized the architecture of our great American cities, and the problems of lighting, of ventilation and of traffic through the streets have been complicated. For the carrying out of such important changes a scheme should be prepared which could be followed out as opportunities come up.
The erection of large sign boards throughout the city on vacant lots, on the sides of buildings, at the foot of Market street and at the entrance to the Park, to the defacement of natural scenery, should be made a criminal offense. The effect of the best buildings is ruined by the proximity to these abominations.
San Francisco has limitless possibilities as approached from the water front. What a splendid opportunity is offered for a boulevard and for quays flanked by public buildings! The Custom-house, buildings for the reception of emigrants, pilot-house, ferry-houses and many other much-needed structures should grace our water front, where they would be not only more convenient, but ornamental. When the water front shall have been rebuilt, and the gateway at the foot of Market street completed, San Francisco will, I trust, make a more presentable appearance. On the Eastern seaboards, the seaport towns have been made most attractive by walks, drives and interesting architectural features. A space for trees and shaded drives is left. What could be more interesting than the Battery at Charleston? The commercial interests as well as the domestic are taken care of. Instead of locating gas works and other nuisances along the bay front between the Presidio and the ferries, why not improve the value of property overlooking the water. There is ample room for manufacturing and shipping interests in the bay of San Francisco without occupying what should be the best residence portion of the city.
As to the development of an architectural style which shall become almost universal, in a city like this the variety of requirements makes it necessary that the exterior treatment should, in any way, suggest exterior requirements. But we should have a unity and harmony of general outline with a scheme of color which would take away the gloom and chill produced by the present condition of things. The domestic architecture of the city has given almost no evidence, as yet, of refinement of outline or detail. The imitations of chateaux and copies of fragments of palaces, carried out in thin, wooden, box-like structures, with bay windows and small corner towers and turrets, should never be repeated. The most difficult thing in designing buildings, as in music or painting, is to be simple without being painfully stupid. Taste in architecture is varied and personal, but must not be confounded with narrow prejudice. To bring about a better San Francisco and State we must free ourselves from narrow-minded views and not condemn every new piece of work because it surprises us. If the architect has the right kind of stuff in him his effort and object must be considered before the result is condemned.
The most difficult thing in designing buildings, as in music or painting, is to be simple without being painfully stupid.
When San Francisco has become the great distributing point for this side of the Rocky mountains and the bay is full of ships that have passed through the great canal which is to separate North and South America, the wealth of the agricultural products should make this the fairest city in the country.
From San Diego to San Francisco the coast is most interesting and offers innumerable sites for agricultural treatment. Santa Barbara has a climate which suggests a revival of the old mission type of architecture, and certainly no style has been offered since that brought by the mission fathers which has given as universal satisfaction, and a revival of it may be looked for, which will bring about good results.
California offers a greater variety of building material than almost any other State. Our granite is as good as any in the world, and there is almost every shade of sandstone and marble available. The brick and terra cotta made on this Coast are equal to any in the United States. In early days, when the art of building was not practiced as it is now, there was a fear of earthquakes, and a general impression was abroad that none but wooden buildings were safe. The experience of later days, however, has proved that well-built walls of brick or stone, laid in good cement mortar, for domestic purposes are safer and better, and for office buildings, steel frames filled in with masonry are better for both earthquakes and fires. There is no doubt that the future generations of Californians will employ masonry almost entirely in place of wood, as has been done in nearly all European countries. The supply of redwood and pine is far from inexhaustible.
The experience of later days, however, has proved that well-built walls of brick or stone, laid in good cement mortar, for domestic purposes are safer and better, and for office buildings, steel frames filled in with masonry are better for both earthquakes and fires.
The use of adobe for walls will probably never be revived except for illustration of the early type of building. The employment of red tile for roofing will come into general use before long, as it is better adapted for the purpose than almost any other material, and lends itself to the generally desired artistic effect. The attempted revival of the old mission style of architecture as applied to low buildings, in this State, seems to be a successful one if carefully studied and carried out properly.
The lighter shades of color (even of almost white), if generally employed for external treatment, in a city like San Francisco, would be most successful. When Alfred Parsons, the well-known English artist, was here a few years ago, he told me that his scheme for color for San Francisco would be white, and I have often heard the same remark from other artists. The few examples we already have seem to lend strength to this opinion. The clouds of light yellow dust we have in summer show less on a wall of similar color, and in our fogs it certainly is better than the lead-colored buildings now so much in vogue, and gives warmth and satisfaction to our feelings.
The selection of plans for artistic and monumental work in large cities and for the improvement of our streets and parks should be obtained in competition, and thereby the best original conceptions obtained, and no great project should be executed without ulterior studies made with a view to improving the original idea.