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Ciampi, Mario Records
2007.-6  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access Statement
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical note
  • System of Arrangement
  • Scope and Contents
  • Custodial History

  • Contributing Institution: University of California, Berkeley. College of Environmental Design. Environmental Design Archives
    Title: Mario J. Ciampi Records
    Creator: Ciampi, Mario J., 1907-2006
    Identifier/Call Number: 2007.-6
    Physical Description: 8.25 Linear Feet: 2 cartons, 1 ½ document boxes, 12 mounted drawings, 9 tubes
    Date (inclusive): 1931-2005
    Abstract: The Professional Papers contain biographical material, files related to awards, travel, and Ciampi's participation in the 1959 architects creativity study conducted by U.C. Berkeley's Institute for Personality Assessment & Research. The Office Records consist primarily of publicity materials such as tear sheets and clip files of Ciampi's work. Reference files related to specific aspects of the San Francisco Downtown Plan are also included in this series. The Project Record Series contains a disappointing assortment of pieces such as a few mounted drawings of his ideas for San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center and Ferry Plaza/Embarcadero, printed planning reports, and a few drawings for projects such as S.F. Union Square, the Berkeley Art Museum, and Yerba Buena Center. Fortunately the records contain photographs and slides that present a more comprehensive view of Ciampi's important early work with public schools and churches.
    Physical Location: Regatta-- Unit/Shelves: BN 9.6-9.7; Drawers: FF 30; Tubes: 2.1 (BAMPFA roll at Wurster)
    Language of Material: English .

    Access Statement

    Collection is open for research.

    Publication Rights

    All requests for permission to publish reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the Curator.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of Item], Mario J. Ciampi Records [2007-6] Environmental Design Archives, University of California, Berkeley.

    Biographical note

    Mario Joseph Ciampi (1907-2006)
    Mario Ciampi was a native of San Francisco. His architecture education was varied in that he studied at the San Francisco Architectural Club (1927-29), was a Special Student at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (1930-32), and attended the Beaux Arts Institute in Paris (1932). During this time he apprenticed as a draftsman with Alexander Cantin and Dodge A. Riedy of San Francisco. He earned his certificate to practice architecture in 1935.
    Ciampi eventually gained prominence within the profession by designing schools and churches in such fast-growing communities as Daly City. In 1959, for instance, his Westmoor High School in Daly City and Sassarini Elementary School in Sonoma received two of the five honor awards given that year by the American Institute of Architects. In the 1960s, his firm went on to design the remarkable Berkeley Art Museum and the Newman Center for the University of California. He won an AIA Honor award for the much published Junipero Serra Overpass for Highway 280 on the San Francisco Peninsula. In addition to his architectural projects, Ciampi was involved in a number of significant planning projects including a master plan for San Mateo County's Jefferson High School District, St. Mary's College in Moraga, and the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. Mr. Ciampi left his imprint on San Francisco as the consultant in charge of the city's 1963 downtown plan that included beautification of Market Street, the Embarcadero, and United Nations Plaza. He also served as a design consultant for The Golden Gateway, Yerba Buena Center, and the Ferry Plaza. According to his obituary "While many of the specifics were never implemented -- such as removing the wings of the Ferry Building to create a bayside plaza surrounding the campanile-like tower -- the result of his call for creating large squares along Market Street at BART stops is seen today at United Nations and Hallidie plazas." He was elected a Fellow of the AIA in 1960.
    Sources: Ciampi CV from the Ciampi collection files. King, John. "Mario Ciampi -- visionary, award-winning architect." San Francisco Chronicle. Saturday, July 8, 2006.

    System of Arrangement

    The Mario J. Ciampi Records are organized into three series: Professional Papers, Office Records, and Project Records.

    Scope and Contents

    The Professional Papers contain biographical material, files related to awards, travel, and Ciampi's participation in the 1959 architects creativity study conducted by U.C. Berkeley's Institute for Personality Assessment & Research. The Office Records consist primarily of publicity materials such as tear sheets and clip files of Ciampi's work. Reference files related to specific aspects of the San Francisco Downtown Plan are also included in this series. The Project Record Series contains a disappointing assortment of pieces such as a few mounted drawings of his ideas for San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center and Ferry Plaza/Embarcadero, printed planning reports, and a few drawings for projects such as S.F. Union Square, the Berkeley Art Museum, and Yerba Buena Center. Fortunately the records contain photographs and slides that present a more comprehensive view of Ciampi's important early work with public schools and churches.

    Custodial History

    The Ciampi records were retrieved from his home office. What was acquired by the Environmental Design Archives was all that remained there.