Inventory of the Vernon DeMars Collection, 1933-2005

Laura Ward, Ceara O'Leary, Mel Lo, and Chelsea Johnson

Environmental Design Archives

College of Environmental Design

230 Wurster Hall #1820

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California, 94720-1820

Phone: (510) 642-5124

Fax: (510) 642-2824

Email: designarchives@berkeley.edu

http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/cedarchives/

Inventory of the Vernon DeMars Collection, 1933-2005

Collection number: 2005-13

Environmental Design Archives

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Processed by:: Laura Ward, Ceara O'Leary, Mel Lo, and Chelsea Johnson
Date Completed:: February 2008
Encoded by:: Laura Ward

Descriptive Summary

Title: Vernon DeMars collection

Dates: 1933-2005

Collection number: 2005-13

Creator: DeMars, Vernon, 1908-2005

Collector: Environmental Design Archives

Collection Size: 15 cartons, 16 manuscript boxes, 6 flat boxes, 1 shoebox, 33 tubes, 18 flat file drawers, 6 models.

Repository: Environmental Design Archives. College of Environmental Design.

University of California, Berkeley.

Berkeley, California

Abstract: The Vernon DeMars Collection spans the years 1933 to 2005, and includes DeMars' personal papers, records from his private practice and professional career, and materials generated by the firms DeMars & Reay, DeMars & Wells, and DeMars & Maletic. The collection is extensive and contains a wide range of materials documenting DeMars' long career as a designer and planner. A small number of artworks and photographs by DeMars' wife, Betty Bates DeMars, are also represented.

Physical location: Environmental Design Archives

University of California

Berkeley, California, 94720-1820

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Collection 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], Vernon DeMars collection, 2005-13, Environmental Design Archives. College of Environmental Design. University of California, Berkeley. Berkeley, California.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated in 2005.

Processing Information

Prior to donation the records had been housed in a number of storage areas in the creator's home, and frequently removed from their original files or mixed with other paper files. Much of the material arrived with no evident order. Project documentation, especially for ongoing projects such as the Student Center and various auditoriums, was interfiled in a manner indicative of DeMars' creative work process more than a formal organizational method. Within each series original order has been maintained wherever it was evident. Where an original order was not evident, records have been arranged either chronologically or alphabetically as noted in the Series Description. The records for the Sacramento Historic District were maintained in their original chronological order.

During processing a significant amount of non-permanent material was removed: the majority of transmittal letters were removed; a representative sample of financial records was retained; and routine job correspondence was sampled. In some cases, where documentation was scant, all material in a project file was retained.

Ernest Born drawings of the San Francisco Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza proposal were moved to the Ernest Born collection.

All projects appear on the Project Index.

Biography

Vernon Armand DeMars

Vernon Armand DeMars was born in San Francisco, California, in 1908. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1931. After jobs with the National Park Service and travel in the U.S. and Europe, DeMars worked from 1936-1942 as district architect for the Farm Security Administration's regional office in San Francisco. The FSA provided housing to migrant farm workers, planned and built rural camps, schools, clinics, and community centers, and constructed wartime housing for over 7000 military personnel. During his tenure with the FSA, DeMars collaborated with landscape architects Burton Cairns and Garrett Eckbo, and planners Fran Violich and Corwin Mocine, to make lasting contributions to the field of planning and low-cost housing design. Projects included the Farm Workers' Center at Yuba City, California, the Cooperative Farm and Workers' Housing at Chandler, Arizona, and the Woodville Farm Workers' Center near Porterville, California.

In 1939, DeMars, Burton Cairns, Joseph McCarthy, Garrett Eckbo, T.J. Kent Jr., and Francis Violich co-founded Telesis, a city and regional planning organization that was the inspiration for the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), a public policy think tank on planning and government. He married Betty Bates in the same year, with whom he collaborated on several major projects throughout his career, including one in 1944-1945 that explored the possibilities of row housing and greenbelt planning for the Ladies Home Journal. Betty created the interiors of the models for a traveling exhibition based on the project, entitled "Tomorrow's Small House." She also designed a series of banners for the 1967 opening of Zellerbach Hall at the University of California, Berkeley.

In 1943 DeMars joined the National Housing Agency in Washington DC as Chief of Housing Standards, where he was engaged in research on post-war housing. He subsequently served two years with the Navy as Naval Aide to the Governor of Puerto Rico and advisor on Public Works. After the war he remained on the East Coast and was recognized for his design contributions to the Bannockburn housing cooperative near Washington DC, and the Eastgate apartments in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which housed MIT faculty. From 1947-1949 he was visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In 1951 DeMars reestablished himself in Berkeley. He lectured in the Department of Architecture for the College of Environmental Design for two years before becoming Professor of Architecture in 1953. He chaired the Department from 1959-1962 and eventually became Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1975. Before joining the UC Berkeley faculty he consulted for the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency on Diamond Heights, Hunter's Point and the Western Addition neighborhoods, and produced a report for the Mutual Security Agency's Special Housing program for miners in the Ruhr, Germany. During this period he also collaborated with architect Donald Hardison on several projects in Richmond, California, including Easter Hill Village public housing, which was noted for its attempt to bring individuality to residences in a low-income development. He and Hardison would later submit and win a joint-venture proposal in the competition for creating a new student center and world-class auditorium at UC Berkeley.

DeMars and architect Donald P. Reay established the firm DeMars & Reay in 1955, continued in 1966 as DeMars & Wells with John G. Wells, a principle in DeMars & Reay. The firms' emphasis was housing and community development and covered a wide range of building types and planning problems, demonstrating a diversified architectural approach and flexibility in design application over the next twenty-two years. Major projects accomplished during DeMars' tenure as principle with these firms included the Capitol Towers apartments in Sacramento; San Francisco's Golden Gateway Redevelopment project (with Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons); Mililani New Town in Oahu, Hawaii; the Mt. Angel Abbey Library (with architect Alvar Aalto); the University of California at Berkeley's Student Center and Zellerbach Hall, and the College of Environmental Design's Wurster Hall. DeMars & Wells dissolved in 1977 and was followed by DeMars & Maletic with principle Carl Maletic. The firm's major project was championing the cause of rehabilitating the San Francisco Ferry Building and expanding Embarcadero Plaza after the Embarcadero Freeway was demolished in 1991. The project was a continuation of DeMars' longstanding interest in Willis Polk's concept of creating a major plaza in front of the Ferry Building.

In addition to his many AIA awards, DeMars was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and received the Award of Honor for Design Excellence from the Bay Area Chapters of the American Institute of Architects in salute to the Student Center and Zellerbach Hall on the Berkeley campus as "in the tradition of the great European urban plazas and spaces." In 1975 he received the Berkeley Citation, the campus' top honor, and in 1999 the College of Environmental Design honored him as a distinguished alumnus. DeMars received a lifetime achievement award from the American Institute of Architects and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Environmental Design in 2003.

Sources: Biographical clip files, Environmental Design Archives.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Vernon DeMars Collection spans the years 1933 to 2005, and includes DeMars' personal papers, records from his private practice and professional career, and materials generated by the firms DeMars & Reay, DeMars & Wells, and DeMars & Maletic. The collection is organized in six series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Faculty Papers, Office Records, Project Records, and Major Projects.

The collection is extensive and contains a wide range of materials documenting DeMars' long career as a designer and planner. The Personal Papers series contains biographical material, personal correspondence, some financial records, documentation related to his service with the Navy, student work, his art and illustrations, writings, and travel photographs and portraits. Records related to DeMars' abiding anthropological interest in the Indians of the southwest United States and his performances of Native American dances appear in this series. A small number of artworks and photographs by DeMars' wife, Betty Bates DeMars, are also represented.

The Professional Papers series includes correspondence with other architects, awards, and a mixture of records that include correspondence and presentation notes related to professional organizations, committee work, and juries. Research and reference files are extensively represented. Administrative and personnel documents from his work with governmental agencies such as the National Housing Agency and the Mutual Security Agency are represented, as well as records from the Telesis group. The Faculty Papers contain material related to DeMars' professorship at the College of Environmental Design. Primarily, this series contains official correspondence with other members of the UC Berkeley Architecture faculty, committee work documentation, and course materials such as syllabi and lecture notes from classes he taught.

The Office Records series documents administrative operations, public relations efforts, financial transactions, and correspondence. Clippings from newspapers and tear sheets from magazines in which DeMars' projects were featured, and some photographs are included. This series also contains the partnership and dissolution documents from each of the firms. The majority of the Projects Records series documents DeMars & Reay and DeMars & Wells projects spanning the years 1955-1977, and document the firms' work through drawings, photographs, administrative files, and models. The Major Projects series includes Farm Security Administration, where a significant number of plans and drawings are retained. Major Projects also includes the Old Sacramento Historic District, a long-term planning commission that generated voluminous administrative files. The UC Berkeley sub-series are extensive and include each commission carried out on the UC Berkeley campus. The San Francisco Performing Arts Center and the San Francisco Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza proposals are also well documented, although DeMars' designs for them were not realized.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

United States. Farm Security Administration.

United States. National Housing Agency.

United States. Mutual Security Agency.

Architects--California.

Architecture--California.

Architectural firms--California.

Architecture--California--San Francisco Bay Area--20th century.

Campus planning.

Public spaces--Designs and plans.

Genres and Forms of Material

Architectural records.

Photographs.

Architectural drawings.

Architectural photographs.

Clippings.

Slides.

Index Terms Related to this Collection

Reay, Donald.

Wells, John G.

Maletic, Carl.

Sidener, Jack.

Hardison, Donald.

Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons.

Hardison and Komatsu Associates.

Subjects

Arts and Humanities -- Architecture

History -- California History

History -- California History -- Bay Area History

Bibliography

Vernon Armand DeMars Oral History (1992). A Life in Architecture: Indian Dancing, Migrant Housing, Telesis, Design for Urban Living, Theater, Teaching. The Bancroft Library Regional Oral History Office.

Related Material

Garrett Eckbo Collection (1990-1) , Environmental Design Archives.
Joseph Esherick Collection (1974-1) , Environmental Design Archives.
Francis Joseph McCarthy Collection (1985-1) , Environmental Design Archives.
Donald Olsen Collection (2003-1), Environmental Design Archives.
Donald & Sylvia Reay Collection (2005-20).
William W. Wurster/Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons Collection , (1976-2), Environmental Design Archives.

Project Index

The following is a list of landscape architectural projects from the DeMars collection. For instructions on interpreting the Project Index, see The Guide to the Project Index at http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/cedarchives/pindex/guide.htm .

The Project Index list is arranged alphabetically by Project/Client Name and contains information, where available, about the location, date, project type, collaborators, photographers, and formats for each project in the collection.

Project/Client Name (location, date, project type) Collaborator (role), Photographer [Format - Ms=Manuscripts, Dr=Drawings, Ph=Photographs]

Aster Park ( Sunnyvale , CA ; 1974 ; Residential-Multi ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Bannockburn Housing ( Bethesda , MD ; 1944-1949 ; Residential-Multi ) Photographer: Lautman, Robert; Dunlop, James R. [Ms, Dr, Ph]
BART - El Cerrito Del Norte Station ( El Cerrito , CA ; 1965-1967 ; Transportation ) Photographer: Raite, Gerald [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Boyd Residence ( Berkeley , CA ; 1967 ; Residential ) [Ms, Dr]
California College of Arts and Crafts ( Oakland , CA ; 1964-1967 ; Educational ) Photographer: Bragstad, Jeremiah O. [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Capitol Towers ( Sacramento , CA ; 1957-1972 ; Residential-Multi ) Collaborator: Wurster, Bernardi, & Emmons [architects], Barnes, L. [architect], Overhoff, J. [sculptor] ; Photographer: Baer, Morley; Halprin, Lawrence; Riek, Karl; Stoll, Jerry [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Cathedral Precinct; Cologne Competition ( Cologne , Germany ; 1955 ; Planning ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Clayton Valley Center / Bank of America ( Concord , CA ; 1961-1962 ; Commercial ) Photographer: Hollingsworth, Bob [Ms, Dr, Ph]
College Highlands ( Richmond , CA ; 1953-1955 ; Residential-Multi ) Photographer: The Jerners; Tagney, George A.; Arnold, Ed; Aero Portraits [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Columbia Plaza ( Washington D.C. ; 1962 -1972 ; Residential-Multi ) Collaborator: Keyes, Lethbridge, & Condon [architects] ; Photographer: Alexander, J. [Ms, Ph]
Convention Center for the City of Oakland ( Oakland , CA ; 1973 ; Governmental ) [Ms]
Cross Keys / Charles Center Inner Harbor ( Baltimore , MD ; 1961-1969 ; Mixed-Use ) Photographer: Charose Studio [Ms, Dr, Ph]
DeMars & Reay Offices - 2161 Shattuck Building Remodel ( Berkeley , CA ; 1962 ; Commercial ) [Dr]
DeMars Residence ( Berkeley , CA ; 1949-1978 ; Residential ) Photographer: Robinson, John; Flamm, Roy [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Diamond Heights ( San Francisco , CA ; 1951 ; Planning ) [Ms, Ph]
Dickman Residence ( San Jose , CA ; n.d. ; Residential ) [Dr]
Easter Hill Village ( Richmond , CA ; 1950 ; Residential-Multi ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Eastgate Apartments ( Cambridge , MA ; 1948 ; Residential-Multi ) Photographer: Stoller, Ezra; Pope Studios [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Emerson Elementary ( Berkeley , CA ; 1965 ; Educational ) Collaborator: Willer, W.T. [architect] [Ms, Dr]
Fisher Residence ( Sonoma , CA ; 1977 ; Residential ) [Dr]
Fort Drive Gardner's Proposal ( 1943 ; Planning ) [Ph]
Golden Gateway ( San Francisco , CA ; 1959-1966 ; Residential-Multi ) Collaborator: Wurster, Bernardi, & Emmons [architects] ; Photographer: Baer, Morley; Riek, Karl H. [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Gratton Elementary ( San Francisco , CA ; 1971 ; Educational ) [Ms, Ph]
Hamilton New Town ( San Jose , CA ; 1964-1969 ; Planning ) Collaborator: Livingston & Blayney [planners], Halprin, Lawrence [landscape architect], Oceanic Properties [developer] ; Photographer: Faubion, Dwain [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Harrisburg Courthouse Sculpture ( Harrisburg , PA ; 1967 ; Governmental ) [Ph]
Hirshfield Residence ( Berkeley , CA ; 1954 ; Residential ) [Dr]
Humboldt State College ( Arcata , CA ; 1963 ; Educational ) [Dr]
Hunter's Point ( San Francisco , CA ; 1951 ; Residential ) [Dr, Ph]
Kukui Redevelopment ( Kukui , HI ; 1961 - 1962 ; Planning ) [Dr]
Ladies Home Journal Row Houses ( 1943-1945 ; Planning / Residential ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Lawrence Hall of Science ( Berkeley , CA ; 1962 ; Educational ) [Ph]
Lawrence Townhouses ( Lawrence , CA ; 1964 ; Residential-Multi ) [Ms]
Litchfield New Town ( Litchfield , AZ ; 1960 ; Planning ) [Ph]
Macdonald project ( Menlo Park , CA ; n.d. ; ) [Ph]
Marin City Redevelopment ( Marin City , CA ; 1958 ; Residential-multi ) Photographer: Braun, Ernest; Skelton; ASUC [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Mililani / Waipio New Town ( Oahu , HI ; 1960-1964 ; Planning / Residential-Multi ) Collaborator: Sidener, Jack [architect], Livingston & Blayney [planners], Halprin, Lawrence [landscape architect], Oceanic Properties [developer] ; Photographer: Stoy, Werner; Stoll, Jerry; Ehreth, Joseph [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Mission Playhouse Old Town ( San Diego , CA ; 1976 ; Cultural ) [Ms]
Moravec Residence ( Berkeley , CA ; 1933 ; Residential ) [Ms, Dr]
Mt. Angel Abbey Campanile ( Benedictine , OR ; 1987-2001 ; Religious ) [Ms]
Mt. Angel Abbey Library ( Benedictine , OR ; 1967-1971 ; Religious ) Collaborator: Aalto, Alvar [architect] Lee, Edmund; Baer, Morley [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Oakland Community Business District ( Oakland , CA ; 1972 -1974 ; Commercial ) [Ms, Dr]
Oakland Urban Design Survey / 701 Projects ( Oakland , CA ; 1967-1969 ; Planning ) Collaborator: Sidener, J. [planner] [Ms]
Ocean Park Towers and Terrace Apartments ( Santa Monica , CA ; 1961 ; Mixed-Use ) Collaborator: Perini Assoc. [developers] ; Photographer: Evans, Barry; Hollingsworth, Bob; Becket, Welton [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Oglala Sioux Indian Reservation Housing ( Pine Ridge , SD ; 1961-1967 ; Planning ) [Ms, Dr]
Old Sacramento ( Sacramento , CA ; 1963 - 1974 ; Planning ) Collaborator: Sidener [urban design], Candeub, Fleissig & Assoc., Hill, R.D. [planner] ; Photographer: Frasse, Phil; Fishback, Glen; Stratford, Hugh; Burkell, Clarence; Redevelopment Agency of Sacramento; California State Library; Dept of Natural Resources; State of CA Dept. of Public Works [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Packard Residence ( Berkeley , CA ; n.d. ; Residential ) [Dr]
Pappas Residence ( Berkeley , CA ; 1979 ; Residential ) [Ms]
Park Center Project ( San Jose , CA ; 1962 ; Planning ) [Dr]
Patri Residence ( Corte Madera , CA ; 1938 ; Residential ) [Dr]
POS Greenbelt Action Program ( SF Bay Area , CA ; 1977 ; Planning ) [Ms]
Richmond Central Business District ( Richmond , CA ; 1962 ; Planning ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Richmond Redevelopment / The Plaza ( Richmond , CA ; 1956-1958 ; Residential ) Photographer: Baer, Morley [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Richmond Redevelopment / Unidentified Richmond annex project ( Richmond , CA ; n.d. ; Residential ) Photographer: Freiwald, Joshua [Ph]
Rincon Valley Estates ( Santa Rosa , CA ; 1962-1963 ; Residential-Multi ) [Dr]
Sacramento State Student Union ( Sacramento , CA ; 1970-1975 ; Educational ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
San Francisco Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza ( San Francisco , CA ; 1952-1955; 1985-2002 (bulk) ; Planning ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
San Francisco Performing Arts Center ( San Francisco , CA ; 1969-1976 ; Cultural ) Collaborator: Aidala, Sidener, J., Jennings [drawings], Belluschi, Pietro. [architect] ; Photographer: Super, Rob; Petersen, B.J.; Hays, Charles H. [Ms, Dr, Ph]
San Lorenzo Park ( Santa Cruz , CA ; 1960 ; Residential-Multi / Planning ) Collaborator: Sidener, J. [drawings] [Dr, Ph]
Santa Clara Development ( Santa Clara , CA ; 1963 ; Planning / Residential ) [Dr, Ph]
Sonoma Courthouse and Jail ( Sonoma , CA ; 1965 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Feliciano, C. [architect] [Ms, Ph]
South Campus Urban Renewal ( Berkeley , CA ; 1964 ; Mixed-Use ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Spokane Redevelopment / Central Business District Plan ( Spokane , WA ; 1959 - 1960 ; Planning ) [Ph]
Swansea Development ( South Wales , UK ; 1961 ; Planning ) [Dr]
Sydney Opera House ( Sydney , Australia ; 1957 ; Cultural ) [Dr, Ph]
U of Colorado: Married Student Housing ( Boulder , CO ; 1961 ; Educational ) [Ph]
U.S. FSA (Farm Security Administration): General ( n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: Williams, Cal; FSA: Lee; Heger, Vernon; Lange, Dorthea; Hammond [Ms, Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Agua Fria ( Agua Fria , AZ ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Arvin / Weedpatch ( Arvin , CA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr]
U.S. FSA: Baxter / Camel Back Farms ( Baxter , AZ ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Burton Cairns Convalescent Center ( Eleven Mile Corner , AZ ; 1940 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: Donant, Norman [Dr, P_]
U.S. FSA: Caldwell ( Caldwell , ID ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Casa Grande ( Casa Grande , AZ ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Chandler / Co-op Farm and Workers' Housing ( Chandler , AZ ; 1939-1940 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Firebaugh ( Firebaugh , CA ; 1939; 1965 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Fort Lupton ( Fort Lupton , CO ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr]
U.S. FSA: Fresno Convalescence Center ( Fresno , CA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr]
U.S. FSA: Glendale / Camel Back Farms ( Glendale , AZ ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: U.S. FSA: Lange, Dorthea [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Granger ( Granger , WA ; 1942 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Harlow ( Harlow , ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Mineral King Ranch / Farm Labor House ( Mineral King Ranch , CA ; 1939-1940 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: U.S. FSA: Lee [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Richmond / Victory Cafe ( Richmond , CA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Sacramento Defense Dormitories ( Sacramento , CA ; 1942 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr]
U.S. FSA: Shafter Homes ( Shafter , CA ; 1940 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr]
U.S. FSA: Taft Site ( Taft , CA ; 194-1942 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: Williams, Calvin R. [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Thornton ( Thornton , CA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Tulare ( Tulare , CA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Vallejo ( Vallejo , CA ; 1942 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: U.S. FSA: Lee [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Walla Walla Unit ( Walla Walla , WA ; 1940 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Winters ( Winters , CA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Woodville / Multi-family House Types B-W ( Woodville / Porterville , CA ; 1940-1943 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ; Photographer: U.S. FSA: Lee [Dr, Ph]
U.S. FSA: Yakima ( Yakima , WA ; n.d. ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] [Ph]
U.S. FSA: Yuba City / Farm Workers' Center ( Yuba City , CA ; 1940 ; Governmental ) Collaborator: Cairns, Eckbo [landscape architects], Violich, Mocine [planners] ;_Photographer: U.S. FSA: Lange, Dorthea [Dr, Ph]
UC Berkeley: Animal Resources Facility ( Berkeley , CA ; 1972-1975 ; Educational ) [Ms, Dr]
UC Berkeley: Mining Circle/Stele Meridiana ( Berkeley , CA ; 1986 ; Educational ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
UC Berkeley: Student Center ( Berkeley , CA ; 1960-1965 ; Educational ) Collaborator: Hardison & Komatsu [architects], Halprin [landscape architect] ; Photographer: King, Jonathan; Baer, Morley; Coolbaugh, Warren; Kirwan, Ed; Riek, Karl H.; Knight, George; Beatty, Don; Partridge, Rondal; ASUC; Wasson, Bill; Kaiser; Green, N. Bleecker; Eschen, Fritz; Willis, P. [Ms, Dr, Ph]
UC Berkeley: Wheeler Hall ( Berkeley , CA ; 1973 ; Educational ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
UC Berkeley: Wurster Hall ( Berkeley , CA ; 1960-1967 ; Educational ) Collaborator: Esherick, Olsen [architects] ; Photographer: Baer, Morley; Vano-Wells-Fagliano; Patridge, Rondal; Roth, Ueli [Ms, Dr, Ph]
UC Berkeley: Zellerbach Hall ( Berkeley , CA ; 1960-1969 ; Educational ) Collaborator: Aidala, S. [architect], Halprin [landscape architect] ; Photographer: Hollingsworth, Bob; Hays, Charles H.; Kaiser; Baer, Morely; Coolbaugh, Warren; Galloway, Dennis; Lovelace, Jeff; Saarni, Karl; Kirwan, Ed [Ms, Dr, Ph]
UC Irvine Theater ( Irvine , CA ; 1977-1983 ; Educational ) [Ms]
Unidentified residences ( n.d. ; Residential ) [Dr]
Unidentified theater ( n.d. ; Cultural ) [Model]
Van Patton Residence ( San Carlos , CA ; 1939 ; Residential ) [Dr, Ph]
Vision 1980 Project ( Medford , OR ; 1978 ; Planning ) [Ms]
Walnut Creek Civic Center ( Walnut Creek , CA ; 1960-1973 ; Governmental ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Watsonville High School Auditorium ( Watsonville , CA ; 1990 ; Educational ) [Ms]
Weber Point / Stockton Plaza ( Stockton , CA ; 1962 ; Planning ) [Dr]
Wells Fargo Bank ( El Cerrito , CA ; 1965 ; Commercial ) Photographer: Bragstad, Jeremiah O. [Ph]
Werdein Residence ( Palo Alto , CA ; n.d. ; Residential ) [Dr]
West Alameda Development ( Alameda , CA ; 1967 ; Planning ) [Ms]
Western Addition Redevelopment ( San Francisco , CA ; 1951-1967 ; Residential-Multi ) [Ms, Dr, Ph]
Yuvan Residence ( Moraga Valley , CA ; 1933 ; Residential ) [Ms, Dr]

Container List

Boxes 1, 16-17, 22, 28, 36, 39; flat files.

Series I. Personal Papers 1935-2005

Series Scope and Content Summary

Represents DeMars' personal materials including his curriculum vitae, correspondence with colleagues and friends, writings on various topics, early drawings and lithographs, student work, a sampling of financial records, personnel files related to his Navy service, personal and travel photographs, and Betty DeMars' artworks and photographs. Of note is artwork and documentation related his performances of Native American ritual dances at Berkeley's International House.

Arrangement

A. Biographical Information
B. Correspondence
C. Student Work
D. Writings
E. Travel
F. Indian Dances
G. Art and Illustration
H. Financial
I. Military Service
J. Betty DeMars
K. Photographs

A. Biographical Information

Folder FF170

Diplomas

Box 1, Folder 1

Biographical Information 1935-2005

Box 36, Folder 33

Biographical Information v.d.

B. Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence 1935-2003

Box 1, Folder 3

Correspondence - Holiday Cards v.d.

Box 36, Folders 34-35

Correspondence - Holiday Cards v.d.

Box 36, Folder 36

Correspondence - Holiday Cards from Emmy Lou Packard v.d.

Box 1, Folder 10

Gun Control Campaign 1989

Box 17, Folder 27

Correspondence w/ Photos and Artworks

Box 28, Folder FF3

Greeting Cards

C. Student Work

Box 28, Folder FF2

Paintings [Student Work?]

Box 1, Folder 4

Student Work 1929-1930

Box 1, Folder 5

Student Work - Ref. Files n.d.

Box 17, Folder 19

Student Work - Photo

Folders FF167-168; FF171; FF176

Drawings

Box 28, Folder FF7

Drafting Exercises - Student Work

Box 28, Folder FF8

Watercolor - Student Work

Box 28, Folder FF9

Sketches and Figure Drawing - Student Work

Box 28, Folder FF13

Sketches on Trace

D. Writings

Box 1, Folder 6

Writings, Etc. n.d.

Box 36, Folder 37

Notebook and Diaries v.d.

E. Travel

Box 28, Folder FF1

Travel Drawings - Southwest

Box 1, Folder 7

California Dept. of State Document and Seal 1938

Box 1, Folder 8

Travel 1963-1990

Box 17, Folder 20

Personal - Photos - Cross Country Trip

Box 17, Folder 21

Travel Photos

Box 22, Folder 28

Travel/Reference

Box 22, Folder 29

Travel

F. Indian Dances

Box 28, Folder FF11

Indian Dances - Photos and Illustrations

Folder FF 79

Indian Dances

Box 36, Folder 38

Indian Dances - Songs... from performance at International House 1932

Box 36, Folder 39

Indian Dances - Files v.d.

Box 1, Folder 9

Correspondence - Notes, Clippings n.d.

Box 16, Folder 25

Portraits n.d.

Box 17, Folder 22

Indian Dances Photos

Box 39, Folder 43

Indian Dance Photos

G. Art and Illustration

Box 16, Folders 11-12

Illustrations, Sketches, and Lithographs n.d.

Box 28, Folder FF6

Drawings, Prints

Box 28, Folder FF10

Art and Artifacts

Box 17, Folder 23

Museum Illustrations 1934

Folder FF173

Sketch of Twin Caves Ruin, AZ 1934

Box 16, Folder 16

Sketches n.d.

Box 36, Folder 40

Sketches n.d.

Box 28, Folder FF12

Emmy Lou Packard - Watercolors

H. Financial

Box 1, Folder 13

Financial 1967-1997

I. Military Service

Box 1, Folder 14

Military Service 1944-1946

J. Betty DeMars

Box 1, Folder 15

Betty DeMars 1961-1987

Box 16, Folders 17-18

Clippings

Box 22, Folder 30

Betty DeMars' Slides

Folder FF175

Betty DeMars' Costume and Set Design

Box 28, Folder FF4

Betty DeMars, A Pageant of Miracles

Box 28, Folder FF5

Betty DeMars - Watercolors

K. Photographs

Box 16, Folder 24

Personal Photographs and Snapshots

Box 17, Folder 25

Personal Photographs and Snapshots

Box 39, Folder 42

Personal Photographs and Snapshots

Box 17, Folder 26

Portraits

Box 22, Folder 31

My Life as an Architect

Box 22, Folder 32

Portraits - Slides

Box 39, Folder 41

Exhibition Photos from Period of Service in Puerto Rico n.d.

Boxes 1-2, 16-17, 22, 26, 28, 36, 39; flat files.

Series II. Professional Papers 1943-2003

Series Scope and Content Summary

Documents DeMars' professional activities outside of the firm. Includes correspondence with other architects and artist Emmy Lou Packard; notes and writings related to numerous presentations and affiliation with professional associations; and extensive research and reference files mostly relating to low-cost housing developments. Also represented are administrative files and reports related to his U.S. government work with the National Housing Agency, the Mutual Security Agency, and the General Services Administration.

Arrangement

A. Correspondence
B. Writings
C. Presentations
D. Associations and Committees
E. Awards
F. Research Notes
G. Reference Files
H. Government Agencies
I. Jurying
J. Telesis: contains sketches of a museum exhibition for the SFMOMA on urban planning in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A. Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 1

Emmy Lou Packard Correspondence 1977-1981

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence 1943-1997

Box 1, Folder 3

Correspondence 1956-1998

Box 36, Folder 79

Correspondence - Wurster AIA Gold Medal Award 1968

Box 36, Folder 80

Correspondence - National Housing Agency Period 1943

B. Writings

Box 1, Folder 4

Articles and Reports 1853-1961

Box 1, Folder 5

Vernon DeMars Biographies 1978-1995

Box 1, Folder 6

Report on the Third Biennial Conference of the International Association of Theater Technicians, London 1961

Box 1, Folder 7

Bio in The Peoples' Architects 1962-1964

C. Presentations

Box 1, Folder 8

SFMOMA Visionary San Francisco Exhibit 1990

Box 1, Folder 9

Mt. Angel Abbey Architectural Symposium 1998

Box 1, Folder 10

National Building Museum Exhibition 1994

Box 1, Folder 11

Douglass Commission Statement (National Commission on Urban Problems) 1967

Box 1, Folder 12

Montevideo Invitation 1968

Box 1, Folder 13

The Form of the City Talk 1959

Box 1, Folder 14

Lectures 1946-1980

Box 1, Folder 15

Engineering for the People Conference 1967

Box 1, Folder 16

Kosmos Club Lectures 1965; 1976

Box 1, Folder 17

KQED AIA Lecture 1954

Box 1, Folder 18

German Architecture 1953

Box 1, Folder 19

Lectures on Aalto 1987

D. Presentations

Box 1, Folder 20

Mt. Angel Aalto Exhibition 1980

Box 1, Folder 21

Lecture on Mt. Angel Abbey 1981

Box 1, Folder 22

"Let's Build a House" Museum Lecture Series 1953

Box 1, Folder 23

Golden Gateway Lectures 1960

Box 1, Folder 24

Wurster Memorial Remarks 1973

Box 1, Folder 25

Lecture Tour 1989-1990

E. Associations and Committees

Box 1, Folder 26

SF Museum of Art Board 1972-1976

Box 1, Folder 27

Associations and Societies 1963-1972

Box 2, Folder 28

National Accreditation Board Meeting, Princeton 1971

Box 2, Folder 29

State Board Certificate Renewals 1956-1999

Box 2, Folder 30

AIA Fellowship 1963

Box 2, Folder 31

American Institute of Architects Education Committee 1957

Box 2, Folder 32

AIA Conferences 1963

Box 2, Folder 33

AIA Special Committees 1955-1964

Box 2, Folder 34

AIA Nominations 1966-1969

Box 2, Folder 35

AIA Correspondence 1953-2003

Box 2, Folder 36

AIA Urban Design Committee 1961-1964

Box 2, Folder 37

State Office Building Review Panel 1977

F. Awards

Box 2, Folder 38

VDM Day Proclamation n.d.

Box 16, Folder 59

Awards and Certificates v.d.

Folder FF172

State Board Certificates v.d.

G. Research Notes

Box 2, Folder 39

Housing Binder, Pt. I 1955-1964

Box 2, Folder 40

Housing Binder, Pt. II 1951-1962

H. Reference Files

Box 2, Folder 41

PR Dossier 1957-1971

Box 2, Folder 42

Low Income Housing 1965

Box 2, Folder 43

Clippings 1988-1989

Box 2, Folder 44

Clippings and Report on Public Housing 1967

Box 2, Folder 45

German and Finnish Newspaper Articles with Photo of Vernon DeMars 1952

Box 2, Folder 46

Vernon DeMars Business Cards n.d.

Box 2, Folder 47

Art and Artists 1970-1971

Box 2, Folder 48

SF Museum of Art Board of Trustees 1966-1987

Box 2, Folder 49

Art and Artists Reference Files 1942-1967

Folder FF165

Benton Harbor, MI 1950

Folder FF166

Slide File and Storage Cabinet 1958, 1971

Box 22, Folder 71

Reference

Box 22, Folder 72

Reference - Low Income Housing

Folder FF174

Ladies Home Journal Reference

I. Government Agencies

Box 2, Folder 50

Mutual Security Agency, German Coal Miners Housing Report 1950-1953

Box 2, Folders 51-52

Mutual Security Agency 1951-1952

Box 39, Folder 81

Mutual Security Agency, Ruhr Housing Program

Box 2, Folder 53

National Housing Agency Security Dossier 1943-1955

Box 2, Folder 54

National Housing Agency 1943

Box 2, Folder 55

General Services Administration 1965-1968

Box 28, Folder FF36

GSA Appointment Certificate

Folder FF169

US Government Agency - Puerto Rico?

Box 36, Folder 81

San Francisco Redevelopment Agency 1951-1952

J. Jurying

Box 2, Folder 56

Jurying 1976-1978

Box 2, Folder 57

Reynolds Memorial Award 1965

Box 2, Folder 58

HUD 1966

K. Telesis

Box 26, Folder 60

Telesis Sketches and Photos

Box 26, Folder 61

Telesis Exhibition Sketch (MOMA)

Box 26, Folder 62

Telesis Clippings

Box 26, Folder 63

Telesis files

L. Photographs and Slides

Box 17, Folder 64

Condado Tower, Puerto Rico

Box 17, Folder 65

Foster City, CA

Box 17, Folder 66

Office Reference Files - Photos

Box 39, Folder 79

Office Reference Files - Photos

Box 17, Folder 67

City Planning Reference

Box 17, Folder 68

Sculptors

Box 17, Folder 69

Sterling Homes Images, San Bruno CA

Box 17, Folder 70

Images - Reference.

Box 22, Folder 74

Expo 1967

Box 22, Folder 75

Models and Drawings - Reference

Box 22, Folder 76

Sea Ranch, CA

Box 22, Folder 77

Los Gatos Civic Center, Los Gatos CA n.d.

Box 22, Folder 78

San Francisco - General Reference

Box 39, Folder 80

Unidentified Model Photos

Boxes 3, 17, 36.

Series III. Faculty Papers 1952-2001

Series Scope and Content Summary

Documents DeMars' duties as Professor of Architecture at UC Berkeley. Administrative files are composed of memoranda between DeMars' and other faculty members, as well as outside correspondence. DeMars' committee work is represented extensively. Of note are the academic Problems of Western Development Committee, and the Building Committee for Environmental Design Building, related to the building of Wurster Hall. The Emeritus files contain a sampling of DeMars' continuing work advising the College of Environmental Design. Course materials, research notes, and student work primarily provide evidence of DeMars' teaching activities.

Arrangement

A. Administrative Files
B. Committees
C. Course Materials
D. Reference Files
E. Emeritus professor
F. Research Notes
G. Student Work

A. Administrative Files

Box 3, Folder 1

Administrative Files 1962-1976

Box 3, Folder 2

Memoranda and Correspondence 1952, 1958-1967

Box 3, Folder 3

Tenures and Promotions 1960-1961

Box 3, Folder 4

Sabbatical 1964-1965

Box 3, Folder 5

Proposal for a New College of Planning and Design 1954-1955

Box 3, Folder 6

Bio-Bibliography Report 1967

Box 17, Folder 25

Correspondence from Charles Eames 1957

Box 36, Folder 26

UC Loyalty Oath 1950

B. Committees

Box 3, Folder 7

Campus Historic Resources Survey 1978

Box 3, Folder 8

Search Committee for CED Dean 1975-1976

Box 3, Folder 9

Building Committee for Environmental Design Building 1959

Box 3, Folder 10

Problems of Western Development Committee 1952-1963

Box 3, Folder 11

Committee on Appointments and Promotions 1955-1961

Box 3, Folder 12

Dean's Advisory/Academic Senate 1955-1957

Box 3, Folder 13

Curriculum Committee 1951-1961

Box 3, Folder 14

Research Committee 1957-1958

Box 3, Folder 15

Faculty Committees 1953-1976

C. Course Materials

Box 3, Folder 16

Course Materials 1947-1925

D. Reference Files

Box 3, Folder 17

Reference Files n.d.

Box 3, Folder 18

Edward Durell Stone Article 1960

E. Emeritus

Box 3, Folder 19

Proposal Letter for MUD at CED 1992-1993

Box 3, Folder 20

Emeritus Files 1995-2001

F. Research Notes

Box 3, Folder 21

UC Extension Lecture Notes 1961

G. Student Work

Box 3, Folders 22-23

Student Work 1953-1970

Box 3, Folder 24

George E. McNeil Thesis 1965

Boxes 3-4, 36.

Series IV. Office Records 1952-1991

Series Scope and Content Summary

Documents represent a selected sample of the day-to-day administrative operations of the firm offices, such as legal agreements, notes, and correspondence. Includes the Hardison & DeMars joint-venture agreement and some financial records, including the Western Urban Redevelopment Investment Corporation Records, a corporation in which DeMars was invested. Reference and product literature is collected on contemporary architectural topics, including literature on fallout shelter design. Correspondence includes many years of correspondence from Jack Sidener, especially dealing with the Mililani New Town project.

Arrangement

A. Administrative
B. Correspondence
C. Financial Records
D. Public Relations
E. Clippings and Tear Sheets
F. Work Prospects
G. Product Literature
H. Reference Files
I. Appointment Books
J. DeMars & Reay Portfolio
K. Firm Histories and Timelines

A. Administrative

Box 3, Folder 1

DeMars and Raey Administrative Records 1955-1966

Box 3, Folder 2

DeMars, Cairns, and Thomson Builders Stationary n.d.

Box 3, Folder 3

DeMars and Wells Administrative Records 1966-1973

Box 3, Folder 4

Hardison and DeMars Joint Venture Agreement 1966

Box 3, Folder 5

Architectural Board Registration Correspondence 1964-1966

Box 36, Folder 36

DeMars & Maletic Administrative Records 2004-2005

B. Correspondence

Box 3, Folders 6-14

Office Correspondence 1952-1972

Box 4, Folders 15-18

Office Correspondence

Box 4, Folder 19

Housing Correspondence 1951-1965

Box 4, Folder 20

Jack Sidener Correspondence 1969-1974

Box 4, Folder 24

Correspondence with Paul O. Heyer 1965-1966

C. Financial Records

Box 4, Folder 21

Western Urban Redevelopment Investment Corp Records 1967

Box 4, Folder 22

Financial Records 1968-1977

D. Clippings and Tear Sheets

Box 4, Folder 23

Draft of "Cities and Urban Problems" Article by J. Whyte for Fortune 1957

Box 4, Folder 25

Clippings and Tear Sheets 1966

E. Work Prospects

Box 4, Folder 26

Work Prospects 1967-1975

Box 36, Folder 37

Richmond Redevelopment Projects 1947-1950

F. Product Literature

Box 4, Folder 27

Product Literature 1974-1975

G. Reference Files

Box 4, Folder 28

Reference Files 1975

Box 4, Folder 29

Reference Files - Shelter Design Literature 1967

Box 4, Folder 30

Article on Conceptual Design of Shells by S.J. Medwadowski 1970

H. Appointment Books

Box 4, Folders 31-33

Appointment Books 1951-1991

I. DeMars & Reay Portfolio

Box 4, Folder 34

DeMars and Reay Portfolio Mock-up n.d.

J. Firm Histories and Timelines

Box 4, Folder 35

Firm Histories and Timelines

Boxes 5-6, 16, 18-19, 23-24, 31, 33, 36-37, 39; flat files and tubes.

Series V. Project Records 1993-2001

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project. **See Project Index.

A. Files

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Correspondence, contracts, telephone notes, preliminary sketches, reports, specifications, financial records, vendor information, legal documents, and notes.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project. **See Project Index.

B. Photographs and Slides

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Photographs (and some negatives) and slides of project sites, construction, and completed construction taken by the architects, project collaborators, and architectural photographers.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project. **See Project Index.

C. Drawings

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Drawings from private practice and firm projects from 1933-2001. Commercial and institutional planning, development, and multi-residential commissions are documented more completely than residential projects.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project. **See Project Index.

Boxes 9-14, 16, 19-21, 24-25, 30, 32, 36, 39-40; flat files and tubes.

Series VI. Major Projects 1936-2003

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by major project.

A. United States Farm Security Administration

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Includes plans and photographs from DeMars' tenure with the FSA designing low-cost housing. Projects included the Farm Workers' Center at Yuba City, California, the Cooperative Farm and Workers' Housing at Chandler, Arizona, and the Woodville Farm Workers' Center near Porterville, California.

**See Project Index.

B. UC Berkeley

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Includes all planning and design for initiatives on the UC Berkeley campus. Primarily, this series contains the project files for the Student Center and Zellerbach Hall. The collection contains little documentation of the student office building, Eschleman Hall, in the Student Center, and the College of Environmental Design's Wurster Hall.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by campus project.

1. Animal Resources Facility
2. Mining Circle/Stele Meridiana
3. Student Center
4. Wheeler Hall
5. Wurster Hall
6. Zellerbach Hall

**See Project Index.

C. Old Sacramento Historic District

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Documents on-going site review, correspondence and urban design solutions for the rehabilitation of the historic waterfront area. Includes correspondence, contracts, telephone notes, preliminary sketches, reports, specifications, financial records, vendor information, legal documents, and notes.

Arrangement

Files arranged chronologically.

**See Project Index.

D. San Francisco Performing Arts Center

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Includes the proposal, preliminary designs, and feasibility and economic studies for a redesign of the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House and Civic Center. Includes extensive administrative files related to the proposal. Despite DeMars' efforts, this project was not realized; consequently, there is no documentation related to construction.

**See Project Index.

E. San Francisco Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Includes urban design plans, drawings related to MUNI and transportation alternatives, photographs and drawings of the Embarcadero Freeway before and during demolition, and proposals for a new plaza and Ferry Building rehabilitation. Includes extensive newspaper clippings files, office files for DeMars & Maletic, and documentation related to City of San Francisco decisions regarding the Embarcadero and Ferry Building.

**See Project Index.

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