Exterior view of the Pavey House, Big Sur, California, designed by Mickey Muennig, ca. 1998. Courtesy of the Mickey Muennig Collection, American School Archive, University of Oklahoma Libraries.
UPDATE: Due to high interest, the event has reached capacity. Seating in the lecture area will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To accommodate all registered guests, we will simulcast the presentation in other areas of the Center so you can still participate in the program.
EXHIBITION | On view: February 20, 2025 - August 8, 2025
OPENING RECEPTION | February 20, 2025: 6-9 PM
At the Center for Architecture + Design in San Francisco, this exhibition from The University of Oklahoma explores the groundbreaking work of renegade architects who helped shape Bay Area design in the mid-20th century. Discover how The American School of Architecture revolutionized the architectural landscape with bold, original designs inspired by California's culture.
The opening reception will feature a discussion with a talk by curator Marco Piscitelli and a moderated panel discussion with scholars of the American School, including Stephanie Pilat, Angela Person, and Hans Baldauf.
We’ll explore how Bruce Goff’s innovative teaching approach differed from traditional East Coast programs, encouraging creativity over conformity in design. We’ll also look at how California’s unique culture and landscape influenced architects, how they used materials and structure as expressive elements, and how they reimagined urban spaces with a focus on making architecture more inclusive and accessible for all.
Agenda
6:00-6:30: Opening Reception
6:30-7:00: Curator Talk by Marco Piscitelli
7:00-8:15: Panel Discussion & Q+A with Baldauf, Pilat, Person, and Piscitelli
8:15-9:00: Closing Reception
Learning Objectives (1.5 LUs)
- Describe the impact of the American School of Architecture on the Bay Area's built environment and architectural heritage during the second half of the 20th century, focusing on how its radical design principles shaped the region.
- Discuss the historical and cultural legacy of underexplored architects from the American School of Architecture, analyzing how their innovative approaches continue to influence modern architectural practice.
- Identify the strategies and theories employed by organic architects that were tested and developed in California, and assess their relevance to contemporary architectural design and practice.
- Analyze historic architectural works from the American School through the lens of structural expression, site integration, and democratizing potential, exploring how these elements were used to create socially conscious and contextually integrated designs.
RSVP Required. Enjoy light bites and refreshments as you explore the exhibit.
