Esoteric Survey

I drive by this building almost once a month and finally stopped to get a closer look. The East Bay Center for Warehouse Union (1965) was designed by Oakland architect Herbert T Johnson (1909-1989). The two parabolic arches support the center section of the structure. The mosaic panels are by Beniamino "Benny" Bufano. There's also a Bufano inside. Source: Yelp It still operates as the Warehouse Union Local 6 I don't know the story on the totem. Herbert T Johnson was born in Alameda. He worked for Irving F Morrow on the Golden Gate Bridge project, which was completed in 1937. Johnson is credited with designing the original toll plaza. In 1942, he set up his architecture practice in Oakland and continued working on projects in the Bay Area.  Source: Open SF History Johnson designed the Leona Lodge in Oakland. Source: Leona Lodge He was at it again with the exterior roof supports. Source:  Leona Lodge Source:...

Scoren House (1969) in Woodside, CA by Don Knorr Robert Scoren, a dentist in Palo Alto, had his friend Don Knorr design a house for him.  Another friend, Alexander Girard, designed the doors and a number of other features of the house. I was able to get inside for a tour. Girard sketches of the SCOREN doors.  Source:  House Industries Wall of cabinets covered in Girard textiles by Herman Miller.  Source:  ALEXANDER GIRARD  book  by Todd Oldham & Kiera Coffee Scoren, like Girard, was a folk art collector. Source: ALEXANDER GIRARD  book  by Todd Oldham & Kiera Coffee The bed and art are gone, but the Girard wall is still there.  Herman Miller and Knoll once dined together in the Scoren house. Source: 568 Mountain Home Road Nelson, Girard and Eames were in the living room. Source: SocketSite Robert Scoren  died in 2012 and the house has been for re...