Gattaca's movie set: in Frank Lloyd Wright's city-building

When Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Marin civic center in the 1950s, he was so ahead of his time that it was still being used to depict the future in a 1990s movie (Gattaca by Andrew Nicol, with Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke; it was also a location for George Lucas’ THX 1138).
Back in 1957, it took a determined supervisor, Vera Schultz, to recruit a 90-year-old architectural legend to design his first, and only, public building.
The county was also considering Richard Neutra who was willing to work for less than Wright. Wright was also refusing to level the three promontories on the site, knowing they could work for the building if left in place.
“There was one supervisor who was kind of a good old boy old school he wanted to get a local architect somebody who’d come up with a more traditional design,” explains Benjamin Berto who works in the building as a planner for the county of Marin.
The rest of the board saw the beauty in Wright’s design and this small Northern California County gained a world-renowned piece of architecture that fits into the land around it (Wright refused to level the site’s 3 promontories and instead made them work for the whole).
Original story: faircompanies.c...

[@czhukovsky]

I remember coming to this building as little kid. It's such a beautiful piece of architecture that's in harmony with nature. Even now, this building still has this futuristic aura, rain bucket or no. Thanks for posting this!

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

I lived one block from the FLW’s civic center in San Rafael. Our view from the living room was of the blue roof and gold rod reaching for the sky. Was married out on the garden patio with fountain flowing on level 3....marriage didn’t last but that amazing building will live on forever ♥️

[@williamschendel7522]

On my last trip to San Francisco, I took a bus ride over the golden gate bridge and then a local city bus to get out to this amazing building. This tour only really discusses the exterior. The courtrooms and other public spaces in this building are just stunningly beautiful. And architectural masterpiece resting in the colorful hills. If you ever get a chance, go see this buildings. It's amazing!

[@brainnumbing8335]

I have only recently found your channel here and I have to say, it’s an absolute pleasure to watch your videos. If more people in this country had an appreciation for the kind of architecture and construction that you obviously have, the planet might not be on its current path of unsustainable consumption. Some might consider that statement a bit of a stretch unless they have been fortunate enough to have grown up in the Chicagoland area. The amazing works of Frank Lloyd Wright this area of the country is home to is nothing short of a national treasure. The man had an incredible gift for designing structures that were created with an obvious intent of existing in harmony with nature. Thanks for your work, I’m glad to have happened upon your channel.

[@DavidJSmith-hl6kb]

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of many Architects that I admired back in the day when I went to University to Major in Architectural Design!...He was a Man ahead of his time!...God Bless!

[@RFToob]

Wonderful. Every time I visit a Frank Lloyd Wright Building I am transported to a dream world. I enjoy his attention to human scale as well.

[@smb123211]

We went to Napa to eat and drink for a week but I persuaded my wife and the other couple to visit the civic center. It is a temple to the artistic spirit and even more stunning than the video can show it. I regret that we did not see entrances, interesting nooks and crannies and the incredible library that resembled a low-lit flying saucer. And amid this work of art folks went about their jobs, talking about lunch, performing their civic tasks (do I daresay "duties").

[@barrymurphy3379]

So cool, didn't know this existed, love these little suggestions

[@gggreggg]

l love this guy's quiet enthusiasm for "his" building. he really has feelings for it.

[@dobsonimages]

Wonderful building and blends so nicely with the landscape.

[@kellyb1420]

What a beautiful building! Unbelievable he designed it when he was 90 years old After the Imperial Hotel and all the houses He had an amazing talent That even today it is mind blowing how he was able design and build such incredible master pieces.

[@gstanley75]

In 2011-2012 I worked on a consulting contract in Marin. I became a FL Wright fan while studying architectural drafting in hush school. So, I sought out the civic center and joined the Library. It became my refuge to refresh after busy days at work.

[@sharonadlam3195]

Thank you Kirsten, wonderful story as usual. FLW though, what an artist. The first of the holistic architects and one of my all time heroes

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

My friend’s mother was an assistant to George Lucas and she claimed the Marin Civic Center and San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts were big influences on the architect for Naboo in Star Wars.

[@stickynorth]

Gattaca is easily of the most stylish and best made Sci-Films of our time and I'm glad it's also re-sparked an interest in all things mid-century coupled with environmentalism and not its more "troubling themes" which are sadly already a reality like insurance/genalism... And of course Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece of urban planning! The HQ of Gattaca aka the Marin County Civic Center...

[@philiplongee1149]

I wish the clip actually mentioned Gattaca. I like that movie for its cinematography and the use of Wright’s style throughout the film. Walking through the Civic Center gave a sense of “nostalgic futurism”. Very similar to Wright’s sleek use horizontal space with curves and how the light moves around it. Like it’s breathing.

[@mickieg1118]

Wright continually blows my mind...amazing.

[@gailhouston5876]

Amazing structure. I've always been a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and his incredible work and artistic mind. Great video!!!!

[@deezynar]

Aaron Green took over the architectural work on this project after Wright's death. Mr. Green had been a student of Wright's and had an established architectural practice in San Francisco prior to the Marin project. Wright had trusted him to oversee his west coast projects. Green was an accomplished designer in his own right.

[@briantlougan810]

I was married here, partly by chance. It's not my favorite Frank Lloyd Wright design ( top honors to the Guggenheim). But I'm such a huge Wright fan that it was cool being married in one of his buildings. Nice to watch this video. It was a long time ago and now I live far, far away. Thank you for this. :-)

[@chrisk8187]

The Guggenheim is not my favorite design. I've visited there. I'm a native resident of Wisconsin and have seen many of his works due the proximity of projects he completed around Chicago, Madison, Racine etc. Finally toured Kentuck Nob and Fallingwater with my family a few years ago. A very compelling person and body of work.

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Briant Lougan hey Briant. I was married here too. Outside on the patio outside the cafeteria. It was a small grassy area with a beautiful fountain and of course that view! We lived around the corner from the Civic Center for about 10 years. We had a stunning view from the living room of the blue roof and the golden rod that reaches for the sky We spent many an hour exploring this amazing building. Marriage didn’t last but I know that building will be there till the end of time I now live faraway as well. The area out priced me for sure. Family is in Sonoma and east bay now Cheers~

[@smallberries]

When I get called for Jury Duty, I get to go to this amazing place. Wish I got called more often

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Joe Smallberries I lived around the corner from the CC over on the “president” streets for 10 years. I would take my kids to the library almost every week or two. We would walk around and around the building. Let them check out the old phone booths. Even got married out on the outside patio....which was outside the cafeteria

[@larrysorenson4789]

I have one of the spun aluminum gold balls from the fascia. I got it in the mid 1960's at the construction site where it had been slightly damaged and was removed. It is one of a kind, totally unique and irreplaceable. If interested in obtaining it reply to this posting for photos, etc. Larry Sorenson Architect, Phoenix Arizona

[@JR-ee4xf]

Gattaca is one of my favorite films!! So good to know about this!!

[@TheDenisedrake]

Another fascinating video. Thank you!

[@carolnorton2551]

"If it doesn't leak you haven't pushed the architecture far enough " F L W , I like that.

[@MrDzdevil]

Awesome! Always great to see the GOAT's architecture.

[@xo6910]

Nice - a joy to watch. Thank-you!

[@carpediem6568]

Only in California... My Social Worker relative worked in this building. She loved it. Couple of things; Wrights projects seemed to have never ending leaking or structural integrity problems as here, in the Falling Water House (one million dollar foundation overhaul) and large homes he built in California, where his experimental concrete block system did not hold up well, at all. Pushing design aside, many required extensive and expensive rework. Some very expensive homes are just not repairable, the design of construction so flawed and prevalent throughout. Some smaller homes are so uncomfortable, no one wants to live in them. This building works well in this climate and in a seismic activity area. But in the South, we need A/C! Ambient air won't cut it. Gotta give Wright credit for beautiful creativity, but not all of his projects were successful. Practicality and serviceability matter, too.

[@iviedbymightymt]

Great video as always. Would have been interesting though to see more of what the interior looks like apart from the corridors.

[@belikebethanny]

I live just 10 mins away, and I go there often for the farmers market. Proud to have this in my county!

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Bethanny Rawson I lived around the corner from the CC for 10 years. My X ran the CC farmers market for many years (like 12 years ago) also. Such a special area to raise my kids in. We spent many an hour milling around the CC and many hours were spent in the flying saucer shaped library. We had a view of the entire roof from our living room complete with golden rod reaching for the sky. The view from the dinning room table at dinner was stunning Long ago memories of the Santa Venetia area

[@googleuser8041]

Gattaca!!! "I'm sorry, the wind caught it" :)

[@atomicsmith]

Fantastic video. I wish you had included some footage of the library.

[@chrisk8187]

The scope of video footage was VERY limited as to entrance and egress, also interior work areas, library, public gathering areas and, I assume, community social and enrichment programs and activities. Please do more in depth coverage of other functionalities. Thank you.

[@wotsken]

you know i just love your videos i would have to say out of all the channels i subscribe to you are one of the few i have watched every video great videos i love every single one thank you for what you do

[@acsherm3]

Amen

[@pv2lima]

I agree, this is unique and it presents a different view of the world.

[@Wistful77]

I've spent many hours in that building. , love it love it love it. sharing!!

[@timmmahhhh]

Our family did vacation from Reno to San Francisco last July and dad the architect here insisted on a morning at this building. So glad we did, an impressive structure. How often do 100-degree days occur? It seemed pretty mild the mid-July day we were there, and I thought the mild weather might be why the atrium was open to the carport below. That surprised me as an idling vehicle would not make for good indoor air quality.

[@fivizzano]

This by all means is one of the unsung wonders of the world.... designed 60 years ago and still way way ahead of its time

[@joemeyer6876]

I’ve been It this building, it’s very warm, and the auditorium acoustics excellent.

[@dougf94912]

Having done jury duty there I'm sorry to say the courtroom acoustics are poor. 8-(

[@robertlimestone6248]

He went back to Roman architecture but he doesn't use the Corinthian columns and entablature as is usually done in revival architecture. The dome is a version of the dome of the Pantheon. The three tiers of arches is taken from the Roman aqueduct at Pont au Gard. The atriums are derived from Roman house design, which always had a central atrium for light and air. There are other features of Roman historical building, but they hide in plain sight.

[@badapple65]

The best architect of all time, and of the entire planet.

[@Fuzzalina]

Kirsten, I miss the guitar plucking intro music. It was great and it set your films apart. I still love what you are doing, but the music was a nice touch. I always knew what I was going to watch when I heard that music.

[@NoOneHere2Day]

Always reminds me of Seinfeld.

[@paigebellamy5820]

I personally enjoy no music!

[@1762mp]

It’s frank lloyd Wright! The master.

[@nephildevil]

interesting architecture, it really does look like a spaceship.

[@416dl]

Love FLW's work and that building in particular. I do wish there was some discussion as to the genesis of the design which was, as I understand, originally going to be along the shoreline of Richardson Bay there in Marin which would explain a lot of the design elements that typically are left examined except to say they are wonderful; the spire for instance and its purpose. Cheers.

[@homersamson2635]

A joy to behold and explore.

[@dougg1075]

Amazing! I’ve never seen this building

[@RVFreeDa]

Frank Lloyd Wright was an amazing man in my eyes. He was an artist first who had a vision most people and engineers can't comprehend. It's okay if it leaks because that means it's bringing nature into the building. Most engineers would probably prefer no windows so as to make it practical. They obviously found that rare engineer to build this structure.

[@rmbarnes672]

'They' are best as usual spending other peoples money. Of course they'll come up with ideas. Frank Lloyd Wright was a genius I'm not disputing, but somebody has to sell anything that would get built to that scale. It looks dated but cool, I want to see it live!

[@philrabe910]

I've thought about this water problem for years. We need an IM Pei to come in and design the PERFECT low arc skylight to cover the entire building outer wall to wall. A new roof in effect. Protect the whole thing end to end. Tint the special UV coating ever so slightly "Marin Blue" to match. The old skylight frame would stay, lose the glass, then the new roof would take on the job with PV smart glass.

[@davidallen3784]

So strange, I was watching your video on Teresa living aboard and then found this one.....I am Architect by trade (out of Minneapolis, MN) and just visited the Marin County Civic Center for the first time on February 14, 2015. Talk about coincidence! Neat place. The wonderful librarian confirmed that it does leak badly in a storm.

[@jparsit]

The greatest American architect in the decade and remains a champion.

[@richardmollberg3096]

Good movie, good video, cool building.

[@RicardoCalovi]

Originally open to the sky, the malls were later covered with skylights designed by William Wesley Peters.

[@jayare6804]

Breathtaking

[@rawbrutaltruth]

love all his work.....

[@brianfield792]

I've never never ever seen anything like this before.FLW was a one off,just an amazing structure,amazing man.brian,uk,

[@fosbury68]

Surprised no mention was made of Aaron Green, the local SF architect and former Taliesin apprentice, who took over the project after Wright's death and saw the project through construction.

[@MartyInLa]

It's true I went here one winter day and sure enough there were buckets to catch the rainwater dripping through the roof.

[@kgipe]

"If it doesn't leak, you haven't pushed the architecture far enough." Is that a real quote?

[@seamusriley3532]

I believe it

[@paulpeterson4320]

He told one client as the roof was dripping on them: "Anybody can build a roof that doesn't leak."

[@batbawls]

Thank you, I couldn't bear the 60 fps. Past videos looked slightly sped up and made me a little sick.

[@TPQ1980]

It looks like something from a 1960s Sci-Fi book cover.

[@chrisk8187]

......which is a GOOD thing!

[@MrLakers92]

I drive by everyday, I wonder if there are more Frank Lloyd Wright buildings/homes in Marin

[@76TomD]

When a building is also art!

[@johnathanlivingstonseagull5524]

And hey let's put a County jail there because that is actually quite futuristic aswell.

[@MrGovSec]

i love your videos doing a good job keep it up i will follow your work

[@Adrian-uc4ox]

A building of the Future. This is the "Space Complex" in the film Gattaca, a true Tomorrowland building, Architecture working with Nature, hopefully humanity soon learns to co-exist with Nature for if not there will be no more Tomorrowland's.

[@suriedavis]

I talk about this movie all the freaking time

[@samualiam9981]

Didnt they film Gattaca there?

[@KillerTunesKiKo]

I wish the building was bustling when you filmed - we would have been able to see the interaction the guy was talking about.

[@yankumar5280]

thanks for sharing Kirsten Dirksen

[@stvp68]

We don’t get a tour of the library?

[@computerjantje]

It sounds like a lot of audio editing. Maybe the guy said all the opposite things? :)

[@brickman409]

I recognize this from the movie Gattaca.

[@RVFreeDa]

William Wesley Peters was the engineer who worked with Wright on many projects.

[@alansenzaki4148]

Great video. Good old boys unfortunately we still have..."trumps the politics" Lol! I love frank lloyd wright. Wish he lived 2 lifetimes ..the funny part about his comment on lloyd mentioning buckets and sponges..my nickname for him affectionately is frank lloyd leak

[@haroldjones9321]

"1200 foot skyscraper laid on it's side" True to FLW style

[@alexr4208]

"I think I just ran over a Wookie back there."

[@thefrontporch8594]

This is a truly wonderful building, and all the fresh air in all seasons in wonderful also. The only awful and distracting elements are the cheap looking "gold" color embellishments and that awful, tacky blue roof!!! Other than those two "deal breakers" the building is fantastic.

[@trainwreck420ish]

Uhm didn't frank Lloyd Wright design the Monanp terrace? Which is a public building in Madison Wisconsin? Just FYI

[@huwanjulio6895]

That's the building in the movie Gaticca

[@kathe.o.]

WOW!

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

It looks empty. Filmed on the weekend ?

[@kirstendirksen]

+SeaJay Oceans We were there after work had ended on a Friday.

[@SandeepSharma-sr4rj]

coming from Gattaca, this place has a feel, I should be able to spend my life there peacefuly

[@tonyvei7830]

Good Post !

[@robbarros9386]

Really nice video Kirsten! Content is super, your speaker was great! My only suggestion, run it through stabilization in an editing program (minimum settings) and see if that improves the hand held floating.

[@jeromecastillo3994]

star wars architecture

[@jamessullivan9992]

the top floor would not get hot if you could open the skylights .

[@TheTonyjara]

Where is the building@ ?

[@pattialvarez1759]

It is Marin County in California.

[@daniellejoseph1576]

Where is this ?

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Danielle Joseph San Rafael CA in Marin county About 40 minutes going North over the GG bridge Amazing civic center to walk around in

[@427vot]

Is that a Frank Lloyd Wright Shipping container rising out of the earth at 3:00?

[@erikcreature3412]

The leaks in Wright's buildings was not the the fault of his designs, they occurred because of poor construction done by those who built the buildings.

[@utubepunk]

Only public place? Didn't FLW also design a church & playhouse?

[@atomicsmith]

Think he meant government building. ie publicly funded.

[@dougf94912]

@@atomicsmith I wondered about that also, I was thinking of the Guggenheim Museum in NYC.

[@maxentropy7596]

It appears that the walls erected off the corridor are not what Wright would have designed. The walls should be removed.

Century II in Wichita looks like a family member.

[@lindaking9222]

Another FLW masterpiece

[@electrodacus]

:) I prefer buildings with no leaks and not needing MW of cooling in the summer. A building needs both architects and engineers working together. Having a cool looking building that is hard and expensive to live in is not a great deal.

[@MrMakabar]

simple. Put it into the tundra and you are done.....only downside is the lack of heating but that I am sure you can handle

[@toniodbrown9874]

while you can't see them in this vid, there are auto opening vents, large ones, placed at reg intervals in the skylight structure which pull cool air from ground level up and through the top

[@MattSiegel]

i used to live across the street from it and go to the library -- marin country can be hot in the summer, and it gets pretty warm in there! :)

[@MattSiegel]

*county

[@DavidJGillCA]

Poor energy performance is a likely shortcoming of any building, probably most buildings, built circa 1960. (No idea what MW means, by the way.) I don't think the building is more troubled by leaks, operating costs or imposes challenges on users to a greater degree than other buildings of simmilar age.

[@wes4192]

Only public structure by FLW? Wrong

[@wes4192]

@@tailgatecarpenter26 ur google broken?

[@phillipmartinez8474]

that is not the only FLW public building! not even close duh!

[@richardmckrell4899]

Visually interacting? Is it unusual for Supreme Court Justices to be seen by ordinary people?

[@timlang4946]

Got married here 🕊✌👍

[@Lonewolf-zl5kv]

Wait wait,,,you just said,,, "this is the only public structure that he design?" How about,,,Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

[@billolsen4360]

The Guggenheim is owned & operated by a private foundation.

[@notyouagain7220]

In his honor that alone should of been enough to build it ...... he changed usa architecture st least forever in fact he changed the world forever Disney took designs from him too FYI

[@Cdcd4444]

I own it on Earth2 well atleast the vital parts