Robert Mosher Architectural Drawings
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Copyright 2015
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Business Number: 858-534-2533
Fax Number: 858-534-5950
spcoll@ucsd.edu
Descriptive Summary
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Robert Mosher Architectural Drawings
Creator:
Mosher, Robert, 1920-2015
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0720
Physical Description:
36 Linear feet
(5 archives boxes, 4 flat boxes, 24 oversize folders and 88 rolls of drawings)
Date (inclusive): 1945-2011
Abstract: Architectural drawings of San Diego architect Robert Mosher. The collection includes drawings, project plans, proposals, photographic
materials, correspondence and other documents relating to Mosher's career spanning six decades.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
Architectural drawings of San Diego architect Robert Mosher. The collection includes drawings, project plans, proposals, writings,
photographs, and some professional correspondence. Arranged in four series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS & WRITINGS, 2) PHOTOGRAPHS,
3) PROJECTS, and 4) SUBJECT FILES.
SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS & WRITINGS contains Mosher's professional correspondence, as well as papers and articles
written by Mosher on modernism, design principles, and building program outlines. Includes interviews with Mosher, and articles
about Mosher and San Diego modernist architecture.
SERIES 2: PHOTOGRAPHS is arranged in two subseries: A) Buildings and Interiors and B) Mounted Exhibit Photographs.
A) Buildings and Interiors.
B) Mounted Exhibit Photographs: Photographs used by Mosher for a 2011 exhibit and lecture at the La Jolla Historical Society.
For materials in FB-541 and FB-542, a list of buildings is included for identification.
SERIES 3: PROJECT FILES comprises the bulk of the collection. Materials are arranged by format. This series contains three
subseries: A) Rolled Drawings, B) Project Files and C) Oversized Drawings and Photographs.
A) Rolled Drawings: Mosher's large architectural drawings, organized by project number and rolled in tubes (though a few materials
are flat and two items are framed). Most projects contain multiple drawings which may include site plans, landscaping plans,
building plans, design studies, alterations and additions. A detailed description of Mosher's projects created in 2011 is
included in this series. The projects range in date from 1945-2011.
B) Project Files: Historical assessments of some of Mosher's residences and buildings. These files may also contain correspondence
with the owners of residences about design, remodel or financial considerations.
C) Oversized Drawings and Photographs.
SERIES 4: SUBJECT FILES consist of materials related to other prominent San Diego or Modernist architects.
Biography
Robert Mosher was born on September 27, 1920 in Greeley, Colorado. His family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was
a young child. He first knew he wanted to be an architect at the age of 9 when he built a workbench in his garage. Mosher
attended The Art Center School in Los Angeles in 1939, the University of Southern California School of Architecture from 1939-40,
and earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Washington, Seattle in 1944.
In 1944, Mosher moved to La Jolla and apprenticed with the firm Myron Hunt & H. C. Chambers. It was there he met his future
business partner, Roy Drew. Mosher went to Los Angeles to complete his state architectural exams and worked for 8 months with
the firm Harwell Hamilton Harris; he later described Harris as a great teacher who influenced his designs. He then returned
to La Jolla and worked at William Templeton Johnson before founding his own firm in 1946. His father, Jack Mosher, purchased
the Green Dragon property in La Jolla in 1944. This site, a former artist colony, became home to Mosher's firm Architects
Mosher Drew in 1948. The firm's early work was primarily residential and commercial commissions in La Jolla, though landmark
projects soon followed. In the late 1960s, Mosher was commissioned to lead a team of architects to design the cluster of buildings
which became Muir College at UC San Diego.
Mosher is best known for pioneering San Diego's modern architectural movement. His designs have been described as "humanist/modernist,"
and he was greatly influenced by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Mosher and his firm have won numerous awards, including
the American Institute of Architects' Excellence Award for design of the art gallery at UC San Diego in 1966. In 1970, Mosher
was elected to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows for design.
Architects Mosher Drew gradually expanded and by 1984, the firm had outgrown its Green Dragon Colony office and moved to Point
Loma. In 2005, the firm merged with Architects Larson Carpenter, and continues its work on major design commissions throughout
San Diego.
Preferred Citation
Robert Mosher Architectural Drawings. MSS 720. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Acquisition Note
Acquired 2010-2013, 2022
Related Materials
Four oversize portfolios featuring photographs of Mosher's work are cataloged an in the Library's collections. Follow this
link to view the record.
An online collection of images of Mosher buildings on the UC San Diego campus is available on the Library's Digital Collections
website at the following link: https://library.ucsd.edu/dc/collection/bb5908185n
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Architectural drawings (visual works)
San Diego (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc. -- Pictorial works
Buildings -- California -- San Diego
Architecture -- California -- San Diego
Architects -- California -- San Diego
University of California, San Diego -- Buildings
Mosher, Robert, 1920-2015 -- Archives
Mosher and Drew, Architects -- Archives
BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS & WRITINGS
Box 1, Folder 1
American Institute of Architects Application and FAIA Fellow correspondence
1944-1970
Box 1, Folder 2-3
Writings and professional correspondence
1961-2011
General
Includes
Modernist Architecture in San Diego, by the San Diego Architectural Foundation.
Box 1, Folder 4
Mosher, Robert. "Our City's Return,"
Omniart
1963 July
Box 1, Folder 5-6
Articles and interviews about Mosher
1951-2009
General
Primarily photocopies from
Sunset, The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Home & Garden and other publications.
Box 5, Folder 5
Projects by Robert Mosher - Inventories, lists, reviews etc.
General
Includes various lists of Mosher's design work and available documentation.
Box 5, Folder 6
Writings and modernism resources - "Defining Modern Architecture" binder
General
Includes drafts for published text, "Modernist Architecture in San Diego, California."
Box 1, Folder 9
Centre City Community College planning
Box 1, Folder 12
Kunzel, Herbert residence
Box 2, Folder 2
Southern California First National Bank La Jolla
Box 2, Folder 3
Stephenson's Department Store
Box 2, Folder 4
Theatre and Arts Foundation
Box 2, Folder 6
Project photographs
undated
General
Includes Kunzel, Small, Carter, Wolfore, McNarney, Bailey and Richard residences, unlabeled.
Box 2, Folder 7
Unidentified photographs
undated
Box 2, Folder 8
Slides
General
San Diego Coronado Bridge, California 1st National Bank La Jolla, Central Federal Tower, Golden Door, McMahan Building, Spin
Physics Inc., Colachis Condominiums, Tasende Gallery, UCSD Supercomputer Center, UCSD Faculty Club, All Soul's Church, Mosher
and Drew Offices.
Box 2, Folder 9
Slides
General
Kunzel residence, Whitsett Hat Shop - Green Dragon Colony, San Diego Museum of Art, Trumbull residence, O. M. Scott building,
Small residence, La Jolla Museum of Art, El Niguel Country Club, Aztec Center, Muir College model, All Soul's Church, UCSD
Art Gallery, Bank of La Jolla, UCSD Faculty Club.
Mounted Exhibit Photographs
Oversize FB-539
Howard Rowe Insurance Company, La Jolla Hardware Company and other buildings and residences
Oversize FB-541
Aztec Center, San Diego State University (1)
1964
Oversize FB-541
Applied Physics & Mathematics Building, Muir College, UC San Diego (2)
1966
Oversize FB-541
Herbert Kunzel Residence, Point Loma (3)
1951
Oversize FB-541
Central Federal Tower (now the NBC Tower), downtown San Diego (4)
1972
Oversize FB-541
The Green Dragon Colony, La Jolla (5)
1948
General
Offices for Jack Mosher, Architects Mosher Drew, on the upper floor. Millinery Shop for Marbel Whitsitt on the main floor.
Oversize FB-541
The Golden Door, Escondido (6)
1971
Oversize FB-542
The McMahan Office Building, Carlsbad (7)
1975
Oversize FB-542
California First Bank, La Jolla Branch (8)
1974
Oversize FB-542
The San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park (9)
1973
Oversize FB-542
Art Gallery, Matthews Campus, UC San Diego (10)
1965
Oversize FB-542
The Ida & Cecil Green Faculty Club, UC San Diego (11)
1986
Oversize FB-542
The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge (12)
1965
Oversize TS-01
1. Green Dragon Colony - Measured Site Plan
1945
Oversize TS-02
3. Green Dragon Colony - Whitsett Millinery Shop
1947
Oversize TS-03
5. Green Dragon Colony - Gerard & Sands European Handcrafts Shop
1948
Oversize TS-03
6. Rollins (Harry) Residence
1948
Oversize TS-04
7. Wick (George) Residence
1948
Oversize TS-05
8. Hazard (Rosco) Residence
1948
Oversize TS-05
9. Compton (Richard) Residence
1948
Oversize TS-06
10. Green Dragon Colony - Paul F. Scott Stationery Shop
1949
Oversize MC-014, Folder 10
11A. Green Dragon Colony - Tweeds & Weeds British Clothiers & La Valencia Hotel
1949
Oversize TS-06
12. Baily (Edward A.) Residence
1949
Oversize TS-07
13. Wohlford (Burnet C.) Residence Additions
1949
Oversize TS-07
14. Koehler (Otto) Residence
1949
Oversize TS-08
15. Van Dorn (William) Residence
1950
Oversize TS-13
16. Mosher (Jack) Residence
1950
Oversize TS-09
17. Mosher (Robert) Residence
1950
18. Kunzel (Herbert) Residence
1951
Oversize MC-014, Folder 11
Copy negatives of drawings and color photograph
Oversize TS-11
19. Borchers (Jack) Residence
1952
Oversize TS-12
23. Coon (Thurlow E.) Residence
1954
Oversize TS-14
24. Reagan (Bruce) Residence
1954
Oversize TS-15
26. Bowman (John C.) Residence
1954
Oversize TS-15
27. Andrews (Stockton) Residence
1954
Oversize TS-16
28. Carter (Armistead) Pool & Garden Pavilion
1955
Oversize MC-014, Folder 12
28A. Carter (Armistead) - Brooke Weaver drawings for the residence, blueprints
undated
Oversize TS-16
29. Hainline (Wallace) Residence
1956
Oversize TS-17
30. Herbert (Jack) Residence, alteration & additions
1956
Oversize TS-18
31. O. M. Scott Co. Corporate Headquarters Office Building
1957
Oversize TS-19
32. Green Dragon Colony - Mosher & Drew Architecture Firm Offices
1957
Oversize TS-20
33. First Baptist Church of La Jolla
1957
Oversize TS-21
34. Theatre & Arts Foundation of San Diego County, The Actor's Company Theater (original)
1958
36. Art Center of La Jolla - Alterations and additions
1958
AB-13-D02
Exterior elevations, framed
Oversize TS-19
37. St. Peter's Episcopal Church - Chancel window
1958
Oversize TS-23
38. McNarney (Joseph) Residence
1958
Oversize TS-24
40. Tyson (D.R.) Residence
1958
42. La Jolla Museum of Art
1959
Oversize TS-25
Rolled plans - Sherwood Auditorium, additions
Oversize MC-014, Folder 13
Flat plans - Sherwood Auditorium, additions
Oversize TS-26
43. Small (L.K.) Residence
1959
Oversize TS-27
44. Young (Richard) Residence
1959
Oversize TS-28
46. Shearer (Lloyd) Residence
1960
Oversize TS-29
47. E. F. Hutton Co. La Jolla Office
1960
49. Richards (Trumbull) Residence
1961
Oversize MC-014, Folder 14
Oversize TS-31
51. Bank of La Jolla Office Building
1964
Oversize TS-42
52. San Diego Fine Arts Gallery, west wing
1964
Oversize TS-50
53. San Diego State University Aztec Center - Student Union Building
1964
Oversize TS-43
57. All Souls' Episcopal Church
1965
Oversize TS-32
61. UC San Diego Chancellor's Residence
1966
Oversize TS-33
62. Hamilton (Lucille) Residence
1966
Oversize TS-34
63. E. F. Hutton Co. - San Diego Office Building
1967
64. Kellogg West Center for Continuing Education
1968
Oversize MC-014, Folder 15
Dedication certificate/print
Oversize TS-35
65. UC Irvine Biomedical Library Building (preliminary plans)
1968
66. Golden Valley - 4-building office complex, Camino de la Reina
1969
Oversize MC-014, Folder 16
Oversize TS-78
67. The Golden Door Health Spa
1971-1980
Oversize TS-79
67. The Golden Door Health Spa
1971-1980
Oversize TS-37
68. The Salk Institute - Biological Studies Laboratory
1971
Oversize TS-38
69. Coldwell-Banker Office Building
1971
Oversize TS-39
70. California Polytechnic University Student Health Center
1972
Oversize TS-80
70. California Polytechnic University Student Health Center
1972
Oversize TS-43
71. Central Federal Tower (now NBC Tower) - Robert Golden owner
1972
Oversize TS-81
71. Central Federal Tower (now NBC Tower) - Robert Golden owner
1972
Oversize TS-40
73. Old Globe Theater (proposed project for Craig Noel)
1974
Oversize TS-41
74. California First National Bank - La Jolla Branch
1974
Oversize TS-44
76. Tasende Art Gallery and Residence
1974
Oversize TS-46
76. Tasende Art Gallery and Residence
1974
Oversize TS-51
78. UC San Diego Students Residential Apartments
1974
Oversize TS-52
80. McMahan Furniture Co. - Corp. Headquarters Building
1975
Oversize TS-53
81. San Diego Zoo - Hospital and Pathology Laboratory
1975
Oversize TS-54
82. Spin Physics Inc. (sub. of Eastman Kodak Co.)
1976
Oversize TS-55
83. Hamilton (Thomas) Residence
1976
Oversize TS-56
84. UC San Diego Surge Laboratory Buildings
1976
Oversize TS-57
84A. Old Globe Center for Photographic Arts
1978
85. La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art
1979-1986
Oversize AB-13-D01
Phase 2 alterations, main level floor plan, framed
Oversize TS-59
88. Koll Mission Valley Office Complex
1980
Oversize TS-60
89. Koll Co. - Retail Development
1980
Oversize TS-47
91. Lek (Louis) Residence (owned by Donald Allison) - Restoration
1983
Oversize TS-61
92. Timken Art Gallery (additions)
1983
Oversize TS-62
93. Monsees (Wayne) Residence-Traditional Japanese Garden Gate
1983
Oversize MC-014, Folder 17
94. Moore (Henry) Sculpture Installation (for Jose Tasende)
1983
Oversize MC-014, Folder 18
95. Sixth Avenue Condominiums
1984
Oversize TS-63
96. San Diego Zoological Park - Animal Show Amphitheatre
1984
Oversize TS-64
97. Otterson (William) - Kitchen Re-Design
1984
Oversize TS-65
97A. The Old Market Place
1984
Oversize TS-66
98. UC San Diego Super Computer Center
1985-1986
Oversize TS-48
99. Hay (Barbara), owner - Residential and Commercial Development
1985
Oversize TS-67
100. Golden Door Health Spa - Trad. Japanese Tea House/Meditation Room
1985
Oversize TS-49
101. UC San Diego Ida & Cecil Green Faculty Club
1986
Oversize TS-68
103. Museum of Photographic Arts - Cinema Theater (preliminary design)
1988
Oversize TS-69
105. Mosher (Robert) Residence
1989/90?
Oversize TS-64
108. West (John) Residence - Kitchen Remodel
1996
Oversize TS-04
109. Bergman (Debbie) - Kitchen Remodel -Formerly Wick Residence (included in project 7-Wick Residence)
1998
Oversize TS-76
110. Schneider (Jerry) Residence - Interior Alterations
1998-01
Oversize TS-70
110A. Green Dragon Commercial Renovation
1998
Oversize TS-71
112. Green Dragon colony - Eddie V's Restaurant (Chart House & Joe's Crab Shack)
2000-05
Oversize TS-72
113. The Ascot Shop (complete interior re-design)
2001
Oversize TS-73
116. Green Dragon Colony - re-development of all retail areas (design/contracts)
2008-09
Oversize MC-014, Folder 19
117. Mosher and Drew standard architecture
1948-58
Oversize TS-74
118. Mosher light fixtures design
1948-2011
Oversize TS-75
119. Mosher designed furniture (including design for Golden Door)
1948-2011
Oversize TS-77
120. La Jolla Cultural Center Study
undated
Oversize TS-82
Village Green Condominiums, La Jolla
1983
General
No project number; possibly same as 95. Sixth Ave. Condominiums.
Box 2, Folder 10
Central Federal Savings, San Diego
Box 2, Folder 11
Centre City Community College, planning
Box 5, Folder 8
Green Dragon Colony - Historical designation
Box 5, Folder 7
Herbert Kunzel residence - Historical designation appeal
2003-2004
Box 2, Folder 15
Leonardo da Vinci Cluster of Colleges, John D. Isaacs prospectus
Box 2, Folder 16
Trumbull Richard residence
Box 3, Folder 1
The Salk Institute, Dr. Roger Guillemin's laboratory
Box 3, Folder 2-3
San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge
Box 3, Folder 4-7
San Diego Fine Arts Gallery
Box 3, Folder 8
UCSD Architecture, articles and pamphlets
Box 4, Folder 3
UCSD Medical Training Facility
Box 4, Folder 7
UCSD School of Architecture
Oversized Drawings and Photographs
Oversize MC-012, Folder 01
California First National Bank, La Jolla
1974
Oversize FB-540, Folder 1
El Niguel Country Club, Laguna Niguel
Oversize MC-012, Folder 04
El Niguel Country Club, Laguna Niguel. Original print Carlos Diniz
1962
Oversize MC-012, Folder 02
The Golden Door, Escondido
1971
Oversize MC-012, Folder 01
Robert Golden Office Complex, San Diego
1969
Oversize FB-540, Folder 2
Green Dragon Colony, La Jolla
Oversize MC-012, Folder 02
Green Dragon Colony, La Jolla
1962
Oversize MC-012, Folder 03
Kellogg West, Cal Poly, poster
undated
Oversize MC-012, Folder 02
Herbert Kunzel residence, Point Loma
1951
Oversize MC-012, Folder 04
La Jolla Cove, panorama (reproduction)
ca. 1918
Oversize FB-540, Folder 3
Mosher and Drew Standard Details
Oversize FB-540, Folder 4
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Oversize FB-540, Folder 5
Oversize MC-012, Folder 03
San Diego Museum of Art, early study
1964
Oversize FB-540, Folder 6
San Diego State University (College) Student Union
Oversize FB-540, Folder 7
Theatre and Arts Foundation
Oversize MC-013, Folder 01
Theatre and Arts Foundation, presentation drawing, 1958
Oversize FB-540, Folder 8
Village Green Condominiums
Oversize FB-540, Folder 9
Whittemore Offices, La Jolla
Oversize FB-540, Folder 10
Miscellaneous photographs and drawings, undated
Oversize MC-012, Folder 04
Untitled building sketches of Prospect Street
undated
Box 5, Folder 1
Irving John Gill
General
Listing of buildings designed by Gill, as well as correspondence to Mosher from the The City of San Diego Historical Site
Board regarding the significance and preservation of the Gill buildings.
Box 5, Folder 2-3
A. Quincy Jones
General
Includes artwork and building sketches by Jones, photographs of Jones, and correspondence.
Box 5, Folder 4
Frank Lloyd Wright
General
Photographs by Mosher of Wright's "Hollyhock House" and "Wingspread" residence in Racine, Wisconsin.