Architect Julia Morgan broke down barriers, built Enduring Legacy

Among the pioneers and luminaries named to the Hall of Fame in California in 2008, is a woman whose vision and skill make her a giant of architectural genius, he was but five feet high. Julia Morgan's work adorns California from the Bay area and far beyond, crowned by his most famous work, the design and construction of Hearst Castle that hovers over San Simeon Bay.

Architect of birth
Morgan was born in 1872 in San Francisco and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1894 with a degree in civil engineering. This was probably the first indication that Julia Morgan was destined to become a groundbreaker for women in a profession dominated by men, but it was the springboard for an illustrious career, they blazed a trail in architectural innovation.

His skills have been finely honed in the most prestigious schools of architecture in the world, Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. There, pushing the limits of the Convention, was twice denied admission. According to Morgan, his refusal was based only on sex. Finally, he admitted after placing 13 th in a field of 376 candidates to support the rigorous entrance examination, has become the first woman to graduate with a degree in architecture at the world famous school.

A career begins
Julia Morgan had a single goal - the right architecture for the environment surrounding the building. He was able to successfully combine the strictly classical training, he received in Paris with his home-grown love for the landscape of California in its many natural variants. . In 1904, once again exercised his individuality and began his architectural firm in San Francisco. He began to receive commissions and build a reputation. One of his first assignments was a house in Grass Valley, at the foot of the Sierra, where he built the house in the North Star Arts and Crafts style.

The devastation of San Francisco after the earthquake of 1906 caused an interesting side effect of the urgent need for rebuilding mitigated prejudice against a woman architect. His office, on Montgomery Street, was among the hundreds to crumble into ruin. From those years of intense planning and reconstruction, Julia Morgan was never at a loss for the job and his reputation has grown as steadily as he made his body of work.

Assertive and individual
Certainly, one of the characteristics of hundreds of Morgan houses, palaces and public buildings is eclecticism. Armed with her classical training, he was never involved in a particular trend, design or architectural paradigm. Morgan buildings designed with regard for the site, and use the surrounding environment. His work ranged from wonderfully ornate and opulent, simple and functional. It was comfortable working in many architectural styles, and each committee considered a canvas upon which he had recently lengthened created a site-specific masterpiece.

The working range is equally wide Julia Morgan. He built for the millionaire tycoons like William Randolph Hearst, but he attacked the smaller projects with the same care. Among its public buildings are YWCA, the Riverside Art Museum and the Los Angeles Examiner Building. He has also worked extensively on campuses in Northern California and has designed the Mills College Bell Tower and the buildings for churches and private homes.

She is best known for his work with the Hearst family. The crown jewel, of course, is Hearst Castle, which is visited by millions of people every year. There, was remembered for wearing trousers and blouses of silk to fashion, while stirring rapidly in construction work to ensure that the details of its design have been followed and properly executed by craftsmen, carpenters and masons. Julia Morgan dedicated years of work, love and exceptional creativity to build the vast estate that sits atop "La Cuesta Encantada" - The Enchanted Hill. As visitors from around the world know, it takes many hours to appreciate the 165 rooms, gardens, fountains and acres that make Hearst Castle a wonder woman made on the Pacific coast.

From Bavaria Wyntoon
Less known, but nonetheless breathtaking is the Wyntoon Bavarian village, built in 1930. This was Hearst's escape of 50,000 hectares which is located in the shadow of Mount Shasta in Northern California. This wooded site, Julia Morgan felt the attraction of Bavaria and Austria, with the construction of wood protected by tall pines and sparkling clean air filled with the scent of pine.

To make Hearst many distinguished guests comfortable, Morgan designed three flights, each three stories. There were four to eight bedrooms in every house with wooden lounges. Everything looked out of a grassy area and backed up to the rushing sound of the McCloud River that winds through the estate.

True to his love and connection with the natural environment, Morgan used local stone and wood in the construction of the Bavarian village. The effect is as timeless as gabled projecting skyward with many gables and faceted windows framed with solid wood. It is, in fact, as if a small piece of Bavaria was lifted up and gently eased into the California landscape. But after a closer look at Julia Morgan touch of genius has taken the traditional architecture to new heights. The many artistic touches and individual agreements, which Morgan has brought to the Village are entirely unique.

In preparation for the construction of the Village, Morgan and her sister, Anna, traveled with Hearst to Bavaria in 1931. Some experts believe this visit Morgan and Hearst promoted determination to carry forward the Bavarian theme, because he felt the rise of Adolf Hitler could threaten the survival of the Austrian and Bavarian architectural treasures.

The Bavarian Village Wyntoon pensions were named for characters from fairy tales - Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, among others. A noted muralist from New York has added his art to the outer walls of two buildings, painting fanciful scenes stories of the Brothers Grimm. Among the most precious was the personal home of the Hearst property - the Home of the Bear. There, the muralist painted scenes from Snow White Rose Red and on the outer stucco whole.

As with many major projects Julia Morgan, the artisans select men - and women - who traveled with her to ply their trade on his projects. Although she never married, Morgan attracted a following of wealthy friends and colleagues whom he had confidence and respect for their work. Wyntoon is an excellent example of the kind of teamwork that has characterized long and successful career, Julia Morgan.

An isolated End
After hundreds of projects worthy of note and wide recognition of his considerable talent and leadership, Julia Morgan last years were spent in self-isolation. With many of his friends and family disappeared, including Hearst, who died in 1951, Morgan felt failing. No longer able to work, to express the passion that had fueled his life, chose to become a loner. He died February 7, 1957, leaving behind gifts for aspiring architects, scholarships and an unprecedented body of work.

It also left the road - one that began a journey paved with rude and be operated by only the most daring and courageous young women. Today, the road is paved and many women architects are on the powerful reputation of Julia Morgan, an original California .......