Robert N. Royston (1918-2008)

Robert Royston began practicing architecture in the offices of Thomas D. Church on weekends while he was a student in the landscape architecture program at the University of California, Berkeley. He continued to work for Church following his graduation. After returning from military service during World War II, he opened a firm with Garrett Eckbo. Royston taught in the landscape program at UC Berkeley from 1947-1951, teaching students such as Fran Violich, Roy Hanamoto (who became his partner), and Francis Dean. Royston joined with a number of partners over the years, eventually establishing the firm of Royston, Hanamoto, Alley & Abey (RHAA) in 1979, where he worked until his semi-retirement in 1998. The comprehensive Robert Royston/RHAA collection consists primarily of project records including drawings and photographs. Although his early work included many residences, Royston is best known for his public projects in the United States, Latin America, and Asia. His designs include numerous projects for Joseph Eichler, facilities for the U.S. Department of Energy, and outdoor theaters.