The Marin County Civic Center is a stunning example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “organic architecture” on a grand, civic scale. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, the drive north is quite scenic in and of itself, but passing through Sausalito and then San Rafael begins to give one a sense of the connection to the land that Wright intended between the building and its surroundings. In fact, when traveling north, the building is hardly noticeable at all from the freeway; traveling south, it is only slightly more perceptible, appearing as a bridge of arches spanning the valley.
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Preservation and Management
Completed in 1962, the building was Wright’s 770th and final commission, and it remains one of the very few state-sponsored buildings he ever designed. While he unfortunately did not witness its completion—passing away in April of 1959—the project was brought to life through the advocacy of Vera Schultz, the county’s first female supervisor. Despite early political opposition from those who wanted a “traditional” design, a public poll ran 8 to 1 in favor of Wright’s vision.
California Sky
The structure is managed as a National Historic Landmark. Wright’s design eschews the typical “skyward thrust” of government buildings for a long, low, horizontal curve that embraces the ground and melds with the hills to the east. The geometry is born of circles; large arches over the landscape give way to smaller ones that integrate with a striking blue roof meant to blend with the California sky. Inside, the building features a “democratic” layout, often described as a 1200-foot skyscraper laid on its side, where interns and high-ranking officials interact in long, sunlit corridors.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The Marin County Civic Center is located at 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA. The campus is situated among the rolling hills of Marin County, easily accessible via Highway 101.
🎫Tour
Ninety-minute docent-led tours are available for those who want to see the intricate details of the interior, including the Oriental-influenced 172-foot gold spire and the top-floor library. Tours are typically offered every Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 am. Pre-purchased tickets are recommended and are available for purchase online.
🧳Make it a Trip
Pair your visit to this civic masterpiece with a trip to the nearby V.C. Morris Gift Shop in San Francisco (another Wright design) or continue north to explore the redwood forests of Muir Woods.
🏨Hotels in San Anselmo/San Rafael area
- Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley San Francisco Area: Located near Muir Wood and Sausalito, offers free breakfast.
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Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf: Pet-friendly, luxurious hotel on the waterfront
Movies Filmed on Site
The futuristic aesthetic of the Civic Center has made it a favorite for filmmakers:
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GATTACA (1997): The 1997 film starring Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke, and Jude Law used the building’s sweeping curves and unique escalators as its primary headquarters.
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THX 1138 (1971): George Lucas’ science fiction debut, produced by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Robert Duvall, was also filmed at this location.
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home!
- An Architecture for Democracy: The Marin County Civic Center by Aaron Green & Frank Lloyd Wright
- Details of Frank Lloyd Wright: The California Work, 1909-1974 by Judith Dunham (Author), Scot Zimmerman (Photographer)
