Celebrating one of San Francisco/Berkeley’s most iconic architects. The work of Bernard Maybeck has influenced generations of architects. His landmark buildings include the Palace of Fine Arts and First Church of Christ, Scientist. His emphasis on an open use of natural materials marks him as a pioneer in sustainable architecture, or “green design.” Maybeck's work achieves that delicate balance between historicism and modernism, and his buildings are still in use throughout several states on the West Coast and the Midwest. This book includes more than two dozen Maybeck buildings that have never been photographed in color in any other book, as well as several of his buildings that were never documented before. Architect of Elegance not only encompasses his most memorable works but also includes letters and drawings from the family archives never before seen by the general public. The foreword is written by Maybeck's granddaugther, Cherry Maybeck Nittler. Author Mark Wilson's 22-year friendship with Bernard Maybeck's daughter-in-law, Jacomena Maybeck, gave him unique insights into the life and work of one of America's most important architects. Mark Anthony Wilson has a BA in history and an MA in history and media. He teaches art and architecture at UC–Berkeley Extension and Santa Rosa Junior College. His articles have appeared in U.S. newspapers, and he has authored Julia Morgan: Architect of Beauty (Gibbs Smith, 2007). He has been writing and teaching about Bernard Maybeck for 35 years. 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 Puliatti Front―First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley, California Back―Howard House, Principia College, Elsah, Illinois Jacket Design by Kurt Wahlner “Ever free in spirit, ever seeking a sad feeling, a hunger of an artist after beauty, a hunger that is never satisfied.” ―CITATION FOR THE GOLD MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDED TO BERNARD MAYBECK BY THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, 1951 MARK ANTHONY WILSON is an architectural historian who has been writing and teaching about architecture for more than thirty-five years. He holds a B.A. in history from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in history and media from California State University, East Bay. 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. He was the soft-spoken son of a woodcar