Architecture

Materials I have developed in partnership with talented colleagues and organization.

A black and white image of a wooden lantern post with an ornamental roof and a round light globe. It stands in front of a wooden fence, surrounded by flowering vines and plants.

  • I am writing a comprehensive biography of William Alexander (born Alexander Levy), a visionary whose unique and significant contributions to architecture, furniture design, and the arts left a lasting imprint on the Modernist Movement and the broader cultural landscape. As a gay man, Alexander's identity and experiences shaped both his journey and his creative vision, influencing the relationships he formed and the artistic networks he fostered. This project aims to illuminate Alexander's creative legacy and personal story, exploring his architectural works, his influential role as a patron and supporter of the arts, and how his life as a gay man informed his work and community.

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  • The Federal Building, designed by Timothy L. Pflueger; the Yerba Buena Club, designed by William W. Wurster; and Pacific House, designed by William G. Merchant; exemplified interwar modernism, showcasing innovative materials, minimalist forms, and functional design. Let’s examine these three landmarks, whose architectural defiance contrasted sharply with the Exposition’s otherwise nostalgic aesthetic.

  • Thorne began practicing around 1950 and gained fame by designing jazz artist Dave Brubeck's home in Oakland, California. He created innovative steel-framed houses on rugged terrain throughout the Bay Area, including Case Study House #36 in San Rafael—materials developed in collaboration with Cord Struckman for Docmomo-NoCA.

  • Irving John Gill was an American architect who worked primarily in Southern California, especially in San Diego and Los Angeles. He is considered a pioneer of the modern architectural movement, with twelve buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and many more designated as historic by local governments. Access the catalog on the resources below.

  • San Francisco’s Legacy of Reinvention” provides a compelling framework to examine how the city’s built environment has adapted to cultural, environmental, social, and economic transformations from the 1906 earthquake through the post-pandemic era. This panel provided a comprehensive exploration of how San Francisco’s architectural evolution exemplifies modern design principles while addressing contemporary urban challenges, creating meaningful dialogue between historical precedent and future innovation. 

    The discussion explored the modern architectural aspects behind San Francisco’s adaptive reuse, landscape architecture, use of natural elements in built environments, and architectural responses to COVID-19.

    Speakers included Adam Greenspan, PWP Landscape Architecture, Chris Orsega, Gensler, Barbara Shands, shands studio architecture, and Katie Conry, Tenderloin Museum Executive Director.

    Designed and Moderated by Kevin H. Souza.

    Held at the Mechanics Institute, San Francisco, CA, on Monday, September 15, 2025. Sold Out Event.

  • Officers' Quarters No. 10, Naval Station Treasure Island.