Geisel Library - UC San Diego, CA
Photographed 2017
Photographed 2017
A sculptural icon of late modernism and brutalist design, the Geisel Library stands as the architectural centerpiece of the UC San Diego campus. Designed by William Pereira & Associates and completed in 1970, the library’s concrete-and-glass form is instantly recognizable, its cantilevered upper levels appearing to hover above a narrow base like a futuristic tree canopy.
Architect: William Pereira & Associates
Completed: 1970
Design Inspiration: Tree-like form symbolizing knowledge branching upward; brutalist materiality
Awards: Featured in numerous architectural publications and recognized as one of San Diego’s most important buildings
Renovation/Preservation: Ongoing preservation efforts to maintain the original design intent
Photographed both at midday and dusk, this series captures the building’s dual personality, stark and graphic under the high sun, then luminous and otherworldly as evening light softens the angular forms. The study focuses on symmetry, contrast, and the building’s commanding presence as both cultural landmark and sculptural gesture.
© 2017 JC Buck
