Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright's Swan Song Structure
Even if you don’t know squat about architecture, you’ve probably heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. In the renaissance of modern design, Wright was THE go-to architect for timeless, functional buildings. As a prolific 20th century American master, he left behind a plethora of famous and beloved works such as the spiral Guggenheim Museum in NYC and the cantilevered private estate turned national landmark—Fallingwater. But did you know his final commission rests in our backyard?!
Nestled between two foliage forested valleys in the outskirts of San Rafael sits Frank Lloyd Wright’s epic swan song structure and largest public project of his career— the Marin Civic Center. You may have seen it off the 101 in passing or recognize the structures design similarities to the planet of Naboo in George Lucas’ Star Wars universe and setting for the eugenic based sci-fi drama Gattaca. Either way, it’s a must see spot in the North Bay. We wandered the halls of Wright’s final structure—designed in his final years before passing at the age of 91 then completed posthumously by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and his protégé, Aaron Green— and drooled over the opulent bronze gated lobbies, sleek wooden phone booths, and sunlit interior/ exterior gardens. The commanding structures gentle curves and arches create modern, clean lines while flirting with retro-futuristic details such as the blue circular roof and scalloped balconies. From the pink stucco walls, to the clay and frosted glass room dividers, every color and detail serves a purpose. It’s the nuances that create an icon— whether it’s a building or a garment. We explored the timeless structure of the Marin Civic Center with clean, classic styles to celebrate Frank Lloyd Wright’s 150th birthday and the power of quality design.
Shop Architectural Collection Here
Photography + Copy: Morgan Austerweil
Model: Brittany Maldonado Gosline
Hair + Makeup: Kandyce Drake