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Constructed in 1962 for Geotronic Labs, Inc., a geosciences company founded by Darwin Renner (1920-2009). Prior to founding Geotronic Labs, Mr. Renner was the first engineer for GSI, a predecessor to Texas Instruments. Among other accomplishments, Mr. Renner reportedly designed the first Magnetic Anomaly Detector, a device used during WWII to locate enemy submarines. The building was designed by the noted Dallas architectural firm of Prinz and Brooks who, among many other awards, received an AIA National Merit Award for their 1954 Oak Cliff Savings and Loan Building. Geotronic Labs was the sole occupant of the building until 2003 (approximately), when Darwin Renner retired (he passed away in 2009 at the age of 98). 115 sat vacant for the next eleven years until 2014, when it was acquired and renovated by the architecture firm DSGN Associates for its own offices.

The curved brick balconies and ground floor window openings are a great example of the playfulness of 1970s architecture—moving away from strict principles of “structural honesty” espoused by orthodox Modernism. When first built, 145 Natoma Street was surrounded by surface parking lots, but this fantastic building is now tucked away and might go unnoticed except for the great view of it from the rear lobby of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Designed by architect Thomas Lile (b. 1934), the building at 145 Natoma Street is a cult favorite among critics and architecture-lovers alike.

Hertzka & Knowles were leading local architecture firm in the 1960s and 1970s, and designers of well-known San Francisco landmarks such as the PG&E Headquarters, Standard Oil Buildings, and the Crown Zellerbach Building. The firm designed several stations for the regional public transportation system, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), including the 16th St. Mission, 24th St. Mission, and Embarcadero Stations in San Francisco, and the Downtown Berkeley Station in Berkeley. The 16th and 24th St. Mission stations are located at either end of the Mission district, and were designed as a pair in an almost identical manner. Both stations feature relief sculptures at the escalator entrances by British artist William Mitchell. 

Hertzka & Knowles were leading local architecture firm in the 1960s and 1970s, and designers of well-known San Francisco landmarks such as the PG&E Headquarters, Standard Oil Buildings, and the Crown Zellerbach Building. The firm designed several stations for the regional public transportation system, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), including the 16th St. Mission, 24th St. Mission, the Embarcadero Stations in San Francisco, and the Downtown Berkeley Station. The 16th and 24th St. Mission stations are located at either end of the Mission district, and were designed as a pair in an almost identical manner. Both stations feature relief sculptures at the escalator entrances by British artist William Mitchell. 

“3525” was built in 1957 as Dallas’ first luxury high rise apartment building. Sited along the prestigious Turtle Creek Boulevard, the 22-story building was designed by New York transplant Howard R. Meyer (1903-1988). Organized in plan around an elevator core are four apartments, each “L” shaped and arranged in a pinwheel fashion, with a smaller fifth apartment fit between two of the “Ls.” This arrangement provides three exposures to each apartment. The concrete structural frame is visible on the exterior and infilled with brick, ribbon windows and open-air terraces. A concrete brise-soliel on every façade unifies and distinguishes the design. Sited on a hill overlooking the creek, park and the Kalita Humphreys Theater (F. L. Wright), 3525 set the tone for the high rise- lined Turtle Creek Boulevard that exists today. 

The AT&T Building, designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, is an icon of Postmodern architecture.  Completed in 1984, the pink granite 37-story building is famously known for its “Chippendale” split pediment at the top. Additionally, the building was known for the 110-foot central arched entrance with three 60-foot rectangular openings on each side and arcade spaces along West 55th and 56th Streets that created open public plazas.  The vertically banded windows add to the monumentality of the building.

By 1939, Alden Dow had designed over twenty unique and different homes in Midland, Michigan, many for family and friends. To his wife, Vada, it seemed as if everyone else in town had a house designed by her husband but her. This residence was completed in 1941 as the Dows' personal residence for their family of four. Alive with reflective light, soaring roof lines, diverging angles, brilliant color and the perfect balance of enticement and tranquility, it continues to inspire today.