Thom Mayne (image courtesy Morphosis

Thom Mayne (b. January 19, 1944 in Waterbury, Connecticut) is a widely recognized Los Angeles based architect. Educated at USC and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Mayne helped found the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC) in 1972. Since then he has held teaching positions at both SCI-ARC and UCLA. He is principal of Morphosis, a renowned architectural office located in Santa Monica, California. Mayne received the Pritzker Prize (architecture's highest honor) in March 2005. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1110x1397, 1233 KB) Summary http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1110x1397, 1233 KB) Summary http://www. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Nickname: The Brass City Location in Connecticut Coordinates: NECTA Waterbury Region Central Naugatuck Valley Incorporated (town) 1686 Incorporated (city) 1853 Consolidated 1902 Government type Mayor-board of aldermen  - Mayor Michael J. Jarjura Area    - City 28. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Architect at his drawing board, 1893 An Architect is a person who is involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction. ... The University of Southern California (commonly referred to as USC, SC, Southern California, and incorrectly as Southern Cal[1]) is located in the University Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, USA. USC is one of the worlds leading private research universities, and was founded in 1880, making it California... Harvard redirects here. ... The Southern California Institute of Architecture, founded in 1972 by Ray Kappe, is an independent institute granting undergraduate and graduate degrees in Architecture. ... Binomial name Ucla xenogrammus Holleman, 1993 The largemouth triplefin, Ucla xenogrammus, is a fish of the family Tripterygiidae and only member of the genus Ucla, found in the Pacific Ocean from Viet Nam, the Philippines, Palau and the Caroline Islands to Papua New Guinea, Australia (including Christmas Island), and the... Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica is a coastal city located in Los Angeles County, California USA, by the Pacific Ocean, south of Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, west of Westwood, Los Angeles, and north of Venice. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The Pritzker Architecture Prize is awarded annually by the Hyatt Foundation to honor a living architect. ...

Firm

Caltrans District 7 Headquarter at dusk

Thom Mayne, with Michael Rotondi, founded Morphosis in 1972 to develop an architecture that would eschew the normal bounds of traditional forms. Beginning as an informal collaboration of designers that survived on non-architectural projects, its first official commission was a school in Pasadena (attended by Mayne’s son at the time.) Publicity resulting from the publication of this project led to a number of residential commissions, including the Lawrence Residence. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3072x2304, 986 KB) Caltrans District 7s Headquarter at dusk. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3072x2304, 986 KB) Caltrans District 7s Headquarter at dusk. ...

Since then, Morphosis has grown into one of the most prominent design practices in the United States, with completed projects worldwide. Recent projects include: graduate housing at the University of Toronto; the San Francisco Federal Building; the University of Cincinnati Student Recreation Center; the Science Center School in Los Angeles, Diamond Ranch High School in Pomona, California; and the Wayne L. Morse United States Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon. The University of Toronto (U of T) is a coeducational public research university in Toronto, Ontario. ... Morphosis, the architectrual firm, is currently working as the lead designer of the San Francisco Federal Building in San Francisco, California, expected to be completed in 2005 Category: ... The University of Cincinnati is a state university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Diamond Ranch High School (or sometimes called by its acronym, DRHS) is a high school (secondary school) operated by the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) in California, located on the hills where Diamond Bar and Phillips Ranch (a master-planned community located in the southwestern portion of the city limits... Nickname: The Emerald City Motto: The Worlds Greatest City of the Arts & Outdoors Coordinates: Country United States State Oregon County Lane Founded 1846 Incorporated 1862  - Mayor Kitty Piercy Area    - City  40. ...

Michael Rotondi left Morphosis in 1991 to form RoTo Architects.

Design Philosophy

San Francisco Federal Courthouse (image courtesy Morphosis

Morphosis’s design philosophy arises from an interest in producing work with a meaning that can be understood by absorbing the culture for which it was made. This is in opposition to typical architectural philosophies which overlay meaning from outside influences and are distant from the question at hand. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1650x1275, 1231 KB) Summary source: http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1650x1275, 1231 KB) Summary source: http://www. ... Morphosis is a Santa Monica based architectural firm, founded in 1972 by Thom Mayne and Michael Rotondi, who left in 1991. ...

The word “metamorphosis” (from which the name Morphosis is derived) means a “change in form or transformation.” For Morphosis this reflects a design process intuitively embedded within an increasingly groundless modern society that is exemplified by the shifting landscape of Los Angeles (the firm’s home). Their working method values contradiction, conflict, and change, and understands each project as a dynamic entity.

The work of Morphosis has a layered quality. The designs often include multiple organizational systems which find unique expression while contributing to a coherent whole. Visually, the firm’s architecture includes sculptural forms which often appear to arise effortlessly from the landscape. In recent years this has been increasingly made possible through the use of computational design techniques which simplify the construction of complex forms.

The Success of a Rare Idea [This section reads like a paid promotion]

Thom Mayne's design ideas have carved him a special niche in World Architecture and American Architecture. [This is an unverifiable assertion.] His work is rife with references to modern masters. Yet, this blend of ideas is rare and very refined. [This is an opinion.] The architecture work of Le Corbusier, Albert I Kahn, John Lautner, and James Stirling figure prominently in his design philosophy. Thom Mayne has acknowledged that being in LA around the work of Frank Gehry has made a deep impression in the manner in which he thinks about architecture. After being trained at Harvard with rigid architectural interpretations, the west coast was [was?] very refreshing because it opened up avenues of thought that allowed greater experimentation. [This may or may not be true.] Gehry has always made big and unsual architectural forms that are bold and give rise to freedom of architetural thought. The work achieved by Mayne is truly architectonic [this is an opinion] and thus appeals to those who understand architectural ideas. [This is an unsupportable assertion.] It is a course decision opposite of that of many American architects including Kevin Roche, Charles Moore, and the post-modern work of Michael Graves. [This is an unprovable critical comment.] The architects aforementioned envisioned pleasing those who know very little about architecture and can only recognize iconic forms such as embellished columns and pitched roofs with spanish tile. [This is total opinion.] It is possible that Thom Mayne's manner of thinking may have benefited from having a parent with artistic training in the house. Thom Mayne's mother was a formally trained classical musician. Thus, Thom Mayne grew up around someone who understood theoretical and subjective aspects of art and design. Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, widely known as Le Corbusier (October 6, 1887– August 27, 1965), was a French Swiss born architect, famous for his contributions to what is now called modernism, or the International Style. ... Albert Kahn (March 21, 1869 — December 8, 1942) was the foremost American industrial architect of his day. ... John Lautner (16 July 1911 – 24 October 1994), influential American architect whose work in Southern California combines progressive engineering with humane design and dramatic space-age flair. ... James Stirling may refer to: James Stirling (mathematician) (1692–1770) James Stirling (engineer) (1835–1931), locomotive engineer James Stirling (architect) (1926–1992) James Stirling (Australian governor) (1791–1865), Admiral Sir James Stirling, Governor of Western Australia James Hutchison Stirling (1820–1909), British (Scottish) philosopher James Stirling (academic), Professor of Mathematical...

Awards and honors

Caltrans District 7 Headquarters, Los Angeles (2004)

• Pritzker Prize, 2005
• Chrysler Design Award of Excellence / 2001
• Los Angeles Gold Medal, American Institute of Architects / 2000
• Alumni of the Year, University of Southern California / 1995
• Brunner Prize or Award in Architecture, American Academy of Arts and Letters / 1992
• Member Elect, American Academy of Design / 1992
• Eliel Saarinen Chair, Yale School of Architecture, Yale University / 1991
• Elliot Noyes Chair, Harvard University Graduate School of Design / 1988
• Rome Prize Fellowship, American Academy in Rome, Italy / 1987

Image File history File linksMetadata 11-11-06-ThomMayne-CaltransHQ.jpg‎ Los Angeles HQ of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), designed by Thom Mayne. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 11-11-06-ThomMayne-CaltransHQ.jpg‎ Los Angeles HQ of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), designed by Thom Mayne. ... The Chrysler Design Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals in innovative works of architecture and design which significantly influenced modern American culture. ...

Major Projects

Completed

University of Cincinnati Rec Center

• Wayne L. Morse United States Courthouse, Eugene, Oregon, 2006
• University of Cincinnati Student Recreation Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2006
• Science Center School, Los Angeles, California, 2004
• Caltrans District 7 Headquarters, Los Angeles, California, 2004
• Hypo Alpe-Adria Center, Klagenfurt, Austria, 2002

University of Toronto Graduate House

• University of Toronto Graduate House, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2000
• Diamond Ranch High School, Pomona, California, 1999
• Sun Tower, Seoul, Korea 1997
• Blades Residence, Santa Barbara, California, 1995
• Salick Healthcare Office Building, Los Angeles, CA, 1991
• Crawford Residence, Montecito, CA, 1990
• Cedar Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, 1988
• 6th Street Residence / Santa Monica, CA, 1988
• Kate Mantilini / Beverly Hills, CA, 1986

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 819 KB) The Campus Recreation Center at the University of Cincinnati, designed by Thom Mayne of Morphosis. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 819 KB) The Campus Recreation Center at the University of Cincinnati, designed by Thom Mayne of Morphosis. ... The University of Cincinnati is a state university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Caltrans logo The soaring ramps in the stack interchanges favored by Caltrans often provide stunning views. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Klagenfurt, (Slovenian Celovec) is the capital of the federal state of Carinthia, in Austria, on the Glan river. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (957x660, 148 KB) Taken by SimonP in April 2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (957x660, 148 KB) Taken by SimonP in April 2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Graduate House Graduate House at the University of Toronto is a student residence specifically for graduate students. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English (de facto) Flower White Trillium Tree Eastern White Pine Bird Common Loon Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seats  - Senate seats 106 24... Diamond Ranch High School (or sometimes called by its acronym, DRHS) is a high school (secondary school) operated by the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) in California, located on the hills where Diamond Bar and Phillips Ranch (a master-planned community located in the southwestern portion of the city limits... Pomona, Nicolas Fouché, c. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Seoul (Sŏul[1] 서울)   is the capital and largest city of South Korea (Republic of Korea). ... Korea (Korean: 한국 or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... Santa Barbara is a city in California, United States. ...

In Progress

• New Academic Building, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, New York, 2008
• National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Satellite Operation Facility, Suitland, MD, 2007
• San Francisco Federal Building, San Francisco, California, 2006
• Phare Tower, La Défense, France (The Lighthouse, "Green" Wind-Powered Office Building, Paris, France, 2012)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ... Morphosis, the architectrual firm, is currently working as the lead designer of the San Francisco Federal Building in San Francisco, California, expected to be completed in 2005 Category: ... The Tour Phare in French is a planned 300 meter-tall skyscraper designed as a green building to be built in La Défense near Paris. ... La Défense, the new skyline of Paris La Défense is one of Paris major central business districts, located west of the city proper in the heart of the département of the Hauts-de-Seine. ...

External links

• American Maverick Wins Pritzker Prize New York Times, March 21, 2005
  • Free version of the above article
• Metropolis article on Mayne
• ARCH'IT article on NewCity Park
• ARCH'IT article on Caltrans District Headquarters
• Thom Mayne, Prizker Prize Winner
• Pritzker Prize Media Kit
• Morphosis homepage