The Marin County Civic Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Built in 1957, this mid-century beauty is Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest public project. It was also his last commission. Intended to centralize thirteen dispersed Marin county departments, the Civic Center project has three-story 580-foot long Administration Building, and a four story 880-foot long Hall of Justice together spanned the valleys between three adjacent hills. The way the buildings are embraced by a large landscape that surround a pond, reminded me 池泉回遊式庭園 (chisen kaiyu shiki teien), traditional Japanese architecture style that scatters multiple buildings connected by narrow lanes around an almost tributary pond. Wright’s project was far larger in scale though. 

One of the impressive things about this place is that it is very well maintained. It seems like people take care of this place – both inside the buildings and the exteriors – with a lot of attention and affection. Wright might have designed this place, but I think people who have been occupying it for decades made it really special. It’s a beautiful thing! Wes Anderson could make a film inside this building.