Robert Mosher Architectural Drawings, 1945-2011 (MSS 720)

Extent: 36 Linear feet (5 archives boxes, 4 flat boxes, 24 oversize folders and 88 rolls of drawings)

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.

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.

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.

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

Container List

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

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

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.

Includes various lists of Mosher's design work and available documentation.

Box 5 Folder 6
Writings and modernism resources - "Defining Modern Architecture" binder

Includes drafts for published text, "Modernist Architecture in San Diego, California."

PHOTOGRAPHS

Buildings and Interiors

Box 1 Folder 7
Art Center La Jolla
Box 1 Folder 8
Aztec Center, SDSU
Box 1 Folder 9
Centre City Community College planning
Box 1 Folder 10
The Golden Door
Box 1 Folder 11
Green Dragon Colony
Box 1 Folder 12
Kunzel, Herbert residence
Box 2 Folder 1
Old Globe Theatre
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 5
Wells Fargo Bank
Box 2 Folder 6
Project photographs, undated

Includes Kunzel, Small, Carter, Wolfore, McNarney, Bailey and Richard residences, unlabeled.

Box 2 Folder 7
Unidentified photographs, undated
Box 2 Folder 8
Slides

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

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

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

PROJECT FILES

Rolled Drawings

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-014-10
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 TS-10
Plans and drawings
Oversize MC-014-11
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-014-12
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

Oversize TS-22
Rolled plans
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-014-13
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 TS-30
Drawings and plans
Oversize MC-014-14
Presentation drawing
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 TS-45
Rolled plans
Oversize MC-014-15
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 TS-36
Rolled plans
Oversize MC-014-16
Small drawings
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 TS-58
Rolled plans
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-014-17
94. Moore (Henry) Sculpture Installation (for Jose Tasende), 1983
Oversize MC-014-18
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-014-19
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

No project number; possibly same as 95. Sixth Ave. Condominiums.

Project Files

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 2 Folder 12
Roscoe Hazard residence
Box 2 Folder 13-14
Herbert Kunzel residence
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 3 Folder 9
UCSD Campus Planning
Box 4 Folder 1-2
UCSD Faculty Club
Box 4 Folder 3
UCSD Medical Training Facility
Box 4 Folder 4-6
UCSD Muir College
Box 4 Folder 7
UCSD School of Architecture

Oversized Drawings and Photographs

Oversize MC-012-01
California First National Bank, La Jolla, 1974
Oversize FB-540 Folder 1
El Niguel Country Club, Laguna Niguel
Oversize MC-012-04
El Niguel Country Club, Laguna Niguel. Original print Carlos Diniz, 1962
Oversize MC-012-02
The Golden Door, Escondido, 1971
Oversize MC-012-01
Robert Golden Office Complex, San Diego, 1969
Oversize FB-540 Folder 2
Green Dragon Colony, La Jolla
Oversize MC-012-02
Green Dragon Colony, La Jolla, 1962
Oversize MC-012-03
Kellogg West, Cal Poly, poster, undated
Oversize MC-012-02
Herbert Kunzel residence, Point Loma, 1951
Oversize MC-012-04
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
San Diego Museum of Art
Oversize MC-012-03
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-013-01
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-012-04
Untitled building sketches of Prospect Street, undated

SUBJECT FILES

Box 5 Folder 1
Irving John Gill

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

Includes artwork and building sketches by Jones, photographs of Jones, and correspondence.

Box 5 Folder 4
Frank Lloyd Wright

Photographs by Mosher of Wright's "Hollyhock House" and "Wingspread" residence in Racine, Wisconsin.