Join the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project and Diamond Heights Community Association for a special meeting on June 17, 2017. In addition to updates from the GPNHP about the plaque California Historical Landmark No. 1002 in Glen Canyon, we will have guest lecturer, Hannah Simonson, present "Modern Diamond Heights." Hannah's talk will address the planning and design of this Modernist neighborhood, as well as avenues of stewardship to celebrate the unique character of Diamond Heights.

Reimagining the gridiron paper streets of the hills above Glen Canyon, Bay Area architect Vernon DeMars designed a master plan for the future Diamond Heights neighborhood for the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in 1950. Carefully placed on the steep slopes around winding roads to preserve spectacular views, DeMars planned a mix of different sized homes and apartments connected by public stairways to parks and the canyon, in order to address the needs of modern families still interested in living in the city. Eventually developed from 1961 to 1978, Diamond Heights contains unique examples of Bay Area regional idioms of Modernist architecture—including the Second Bay Tradition, Third Bay Tradition, and local variations of Mid-Century Modernism—as well as Brutalism and Neo-Mansard styles. In addition to nationally recognized architects and builders such as Joseph Eichler, Beverly Willis, Joseph Esherick, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, many local architects warranting further discussion were involved as well.

Photo courtesy of UC Berkeley Environmental Design Archives.