Flora Lamson Hewlett Library
Encyclopedia
The Flora Lamson Hewlett Library houses one of the largest collections of theological books in the United States.
The building's distinctive, terraced design was based on preliminary sketches by famed architect Louis I. Kahn.
In addition to housing one of the largest collections of theological books in the United States, the library is home to archives of material recording religious activity in the United States and a Center for Teaching and Learning. The library serves the nine-member schools of the Berkeley, California
-based Graduate Theological Union
(GTU).
After Kahn's unexpected death in 1974, the GTU selected the San Francisco, California-based architectural firm of Peters, Clayberg, and Caulfield, in association with Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis, to design the building. Thomas J. Caulfield
was appointed lead architect.
Built in phases, construction on the building's first phase began in 1979, and it opened in 1981. The final phase of the building was completed in 1987.
The library was named for Flora Lamson Hewlett, wife of Hewlett-Packard
founder William Hewlett
, thanks to support for the project from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
.
37.87554°N 122.26186°W
The building's distinctive, terraced design was based on preliminary sketches by famed architect Louis I. Kahn.
In addition to housing one of the largest collections of theological books in the United States, the library is home to archives of material recording religious activity in the United States and a Center for Teaching and Learning. The library serves the nine-member schools of the Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
-based Graduate Theological Union
Graduate Theological Union
The Graduate Theological Union ' is a consortium of nine independent theological schools, and eleven centers and affiliates. Eight of the theological schools are located in Berkeley, California. The GTU was founded in 1962. It maintains the Graduate Theological Union Library, one of the most...
(GTU).
After Kahn's unexpected death in 1974, the GTU selected the San Francisco, California-based architectural firm of Peters, Clayberg, and Caulfield, in association with Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis, to design the building. Thomas J. Caulfield
Thomas J. Caulfield
Thomas J. Caulfield was an American architect. Caulfield's work has won numerous national and regional design awards....
was appointed lead architect.
Built in phases, construction on the building's first phase began in 1979, and it opened in 1981. The final phase of the building was completed in 1987.
The library was named for Flora Lamson Hewlett, wife of Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
founder William Hewlett
William Reddington Hewlett
William Redington Hewlett was an engineer and the co-founder, with David Packard, of the Hewlett-Packard Company . He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan where is father taught at the Univerisy of Michigan Medical School...
, thanks to support for the project from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a private foundation, established by Hewlett-Packard cofounder William Reddington Hewlett and his wife Flora Lamson Hewlett in 1967. The Hewlett Foundation awards grants to support educational and cultural institutions and to advance certain social and...
.
37.87554°N 122.26186°W