Jack P. Hillmer Memorial Tribute and Exhibition

Ludekens House (photo: Roy Flamm, courtesy of the Bancroft Library, U.C. Berkeley)

Recently rediscovered photographic documentation of architect Jack Hillmer’s mid-century masterpiece—the Ludekens House in Tiburon—will go on display on 11 and 12 October at the historic architectural offices of Warren Callister, 1865 Mar West Street, Tiburon (see map).

The exhibition is a memorial tribute honoring the life and work of Hillmer (1917–2007), an iconic Bay Area modernist architect known for his meticulous craftsmanship, bold imagery, warm materials, and innovative technology.

One of the most important and influential modern Bay Area houses, the Ludekens house (1949), marred by unsympathetic renovations, can now be seen as it was originally built in this photographic display, which was created by Jack Hillmer himself in 1952 from photos by Roy Flamm and exhibited at museums and universities throughout the country.

Besides photos showing construction and the completed house, the exhibit includes detailed information about the home’s philosophy, materials, innovative construction, and more.

The Ludekens house, unfinished redwood on a skeleton off steel, bravely cantilevers over San Francisco Bay. Hillmer detailed it beautifully, with exotic woods, and built it around a massive chunk of granite that he selected himself from the quarry and used as the home’s fireplace and centerpiece.

Reception: Thursday, 11 October 2007, from 5 to 8 pm.
The exhibit continues on Friday, 12 October 2007, from 1 to 6 pm.

Note: Mar West Street is a narrow road, and parking is tight. The best parking is below the studio, in the lot behind Dynasty Restaurant, 1801 Tiburon Blvd. Take the paved path up the hill.