photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light

Muir College unfolds as a Brutalist maze amongst towering trees

 

Muir College at UC San Diego, founded in 1967 and named after naturalist John Muir, exemplifies brutalist architecture within a unique natural setting. The campus, initially envisioned by architects Robert Alexander and A. Quincy Jones, was further developed by executive architect Robert Mosher, who drew inspiration from Yosemite National Park to create a distinctive design where concrete structures integrate with the surrounding landscape.

 

Key buildings such as Tioga and Tenaya Halls showcase the bold forms typical of brutalism, characterized by their raw concrete surfaces and geometric shapes. The campus is a seamless interplay between architecture and nature, where dense concrete volumes contrast with the verticality of trees, creating a dynamic relationship between built and natural environments.

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Breezeway between Bonner and Mayer Halls | all images by Marco Petrini

 

 

the design blends monumental brutalist qualities with nature

 

The design merges the monumental qualities of brutalist architecture with a sense of immersion in nature, positioning Muir College as a notable example of brutalist architecture. The interaction between sunlight and the warm tones of the concrete further enhances the visual experience, adding depth and warmth to the stark materials. Muir College remains a significant architectural landmark that continues to reflect the broader aesthetic and environmental considerations of its time. The project was recently captured by architectural photographer Marco Petrini

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Breezeway between Bonner and Mayer Halls

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Geisel Library

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Departments of History and Philosophy

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
McGILL HALL, Department of Psychology

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Applied Physics and Mathematics Building

uc-san-diego-muir-college-designboom-1800-3

Applied Physics and Mathematics Building

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Applied Physics and Mathematics Building

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
York Hall

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Galbraith Hall

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Departments of History and Philosophy

photo series captures muir college's raw concrete geometric volumes in new light
Biomedical Sciences Building

uc-san-diego-muir-college-designboom-1800-2

Geisel Library

 

project info:

 

name: UC San Diego Muir College Campus
executive architect: Robert Mosher

initial concept: Robert Alexander, A. Quincy Jones

location: UC San Diego, US

photography: Marco Petrini | @petrinistudio

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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