AIA Centennial Collection

AIA San Francisco, a Chaper of the American Institute of Architects: Centennial Drawing Collection (ca. 1930-1976)

The San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects was organized to protect the integrity of the profession and to standardize the conduct and practice of its members. Demand for the services of builders and designers significantly increased as the city’s population grew during the later part of the nineteenth century. Professionally trained architects of the time were continually challenged by the unethical practices of untrained “architects,” who took advantage of patrons and threatened the work of reputable and qualified architects. In the spring 1882, the AIA granted the organized architects of San Francisco their charter and thereby expanded its membership westward beyond Chicago. In 1927 the San Francisco Chapter was renamed the Northern California Chapter, in 1980 the chapter became The American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter and the most recent name variation, AIA San Francisco, a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, was adopted by members in 1992.

An exhibit of design drawings created by current members was created at the time of the chapter’s 1982 centennial to support the events planned for the celebration. This collection consists of drawings collected for that exhibition and created between 1930 and 1976. Essentially there are 195 individual project files, containing more than 900 drawings presentation and design drawings created by the following individuals and firms: Anshen & Allen; Edward Charles Basset; Bliss & Faville;  Henrik Bull; Field, Bull, Volkmann & Stockwell; John Field; Aaron Green; Harwell H. Harris; Hart, Krivatsky & Stubee; Henry Hill; Hill & Kruse; Knorr, Elliott and Associates; John Kruse; Lane, Knorr, Elliott; Alton Lee; Mendelsohn, Dinwiddie & Hill; Donald Olsen; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Douglas Dacre Stone; Stone, Marraccini & Patterson; John Carl Warnecke & Associates