Brutalism in Burlingame

Empty buildings in B'game make me nervous.  I envision the Claw showing up some day and the whole structure being gone in a couple of days.  Many of the replacements are sterile.  It happens all over town in both commercial and residential areas.  That's why I got nervous after seeing our only local Brutalist building appearing to be empty.  It sits at 1825 Magnolia behind The Trousdale and Burlingame Plaza.  Borrowing from Wikipedia, we learn:

Brutalist architecture is an architectural style that emerged during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era.  Brutalist buildings are characterized by minimalist constructions that showcase the bare building materials and structural elements over decorative design. The style commonly makes use of exposed, unpainted concrete or brick, angular geometric shapes and a predominantly monochrome colour palette; other materials, such as steel, timber, and glass, are also featured.

Descending from the modernist movement, brutalism is said to be a reaction against the nostalgia of architecture in the 1940s. Derived from the Swedish phrase nybrutalism, the term "new brutalism" was first used by British architects Alison and Peter Smithson for their pioneering approach to design.  In the United Kingdom, brutalism was featured in the design of utilitarian, low-cost social housing influenced by socialist principles and soon spread to other regions around the world, while being echoed by similar styles like in Eastern Europe.

Brutalism has been polarizing historically; specific buildings, as well as the movement as a whole, have drawn a range of criticism (often being described as "cold"). There are often public-led campaigns to demolish brutalist buildings. Some people are favorable to the style and in the United Kingdom some buildings have been preserved.

I asked around a bit and some think it was built as the Teachers Association headquarters (now a few blocks away) and was later a bank.  The good news is that rather than being empty, an on-line search shows it is owned by the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, also known as "The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which is based in Ukiah.  The parking lot must be chained when not in use.  I think the building is oddly cool and worth taking a moment or two to appreciate.  Here is it

Comments

[Jennifer Pfaff]

It looks "cool" because it has nice, mature landscaping, big generous setbacks and big trees adjacent to and on the property. Imagine the same building pushed right up against the sidewalk, no landscaping. Then we're just talking about a massive hulk of concrete. I think it's all about the setting -- sort of like putting a mat and frame on a piece of artwork. Everything moves up a notch in the right setting, and the inverse is true as well.

[HMB]

I don't remember it being a bank but recall it as being HQ for a teachers union. Always thought it was kind of unusual architecture for a teachers union. How did they have the money for such an imposing building and how did this massive brutalist structure end up in the suburbs? Would love to learn more about its history. Can't remember when it became the Buddhist organization but it has been some years.

[Cathy Baylock]

It was built as the CTA Credit Union. I remember going with my mom as a kid when she did her banking and thought it was totally cool. I still do.

[HMB]

Thanks, Cathy! Cool to know.

[Cassandra]

As long as we’re talking about local architecture, a new feature in the cheesy cityscape has just illuminated. By the Millbrae over crossing on the south-west side a building has dozens of red vertical neon tube shaped lights. Each tube must be several stories high. Not only red lights, but lights that change colors and flow in different directions. Where did this come from? Why is it there? How long will it be there? Isn’t it a hazard to navigation for the airport?

Viva Las Vegas?