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.