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.

Susan Cerny leads walking tour

John Hinkel Park clubhouse (photo: Daniella Thompson, 2004)

Saturday, 8 September, 2007
10 am– noon
Meet at Indian Rock Park
$10 general; $8 BHS members

In celebration of the centennial of Berkeley’s public park system, Susan Cerny will lead a walking tour co-sponsored by the Berkeley Historical Society and BAHA. Explore Indian Rock, Mortar, and Grotto Parks and John Hinkel Park. These are Berkeley treasures, full of native oaks, winding footpaths and large stone outcroppings. The parks are surrounded by picturesque homes set in lush gardens, often with rock outcroppings and nearby paths. The tour will focus on the men who developed these areas, as well as the architects and landscape architects. Not wheelchair accessible.

For complete details, see the Events Calendar.