Bernard Maybeck Architect of Elegance
The warmth and elegance of Bernard Maybeck’s work has influenced countless American architects for more than four generations. His buildings include northern California landmarks such as the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Berkeley, both featured in great detail here.Maybeck’s architecture possesses the timeless beauty that distinguishes all great art. His work achieved a delicate and pleasing balance between historicism and modernity. No two of his buildings are much alike, yet they all manifest the craftsmanship and environmental sensitivity that were his hallmark. An emphasis on an open use of natural materials honestly stated marks him as a pioneer in what is known today as sustainable architecture, or “green” design.This comprehensive book features a foreword by Maybeck’s granddaughter, Cherry Maybeck Nittler, and also incorporates excerpts from an only recently discovered cache of family letters provided by Cherry that offer rare insights into the life and personality of this hugely influential architect of elegance. It contains 220 new color photographs of Maybeck’s work and 70 archival photographs and drawings, many from Maybeck’s family collection that have never been seen before in print.MARK ANTHONY WILSON is an architectural historian who has been writing and lecturing about Bernard Maybeck for 35 years. His 22-year friendship with Jacomena Maybeck provided him with unique insights into Maybeck’s career and personal life. Wilson holds a BA in history from UC Berkeley and an MA in history and media from California State University, East Bay, where he wrote his thesis on Maybeck. He has written three previous books on American  architecture, including Julia Morgan, Architect of Beauty (Gibbs Smith, 2007). His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury, Christian Science Monitor, and USA Today. He lives in Berkeley, California with his wife, Ann, and his daughter, Elena.As the son of a fashion illustrator, JOEL PULIATTI was destined to see things graphically. He was brought up as an artist in New York, is a graduate of Parsons School of Design, and has been published nationally as an architectural and a fine arts photographer. In both his photographs and paintings, Joel seeks to express the beauty of the commonplace as well as the transcendent. Joel lives in San Francisco with his wife, Olivia Teter, and daughters, Jacqueline and Sophia.Jacket Images by Joel PuliattiFront—First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley, CaliforniaBack—Howard House, Principia College, Elsah, IllinoisJacket Design by Kurt Wahlner