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The Old Scripps Building is a historic research facility on the campus of the
Timeline of Scripps Institution of Oceanography history
{{National Register of Historic Places Scripps Institution of Oceanography Irving Gill buildings La Jolla, San Diego Buildings and structures completed in 1909 Buildings and structures in San Diego County, California National Register of Historic Places in San Diego National Historic Landmarks in California 1909 establishments in California
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego or colloquially, UCSD) is a public land-grant research university in San Diego, California. Established in 1960 near the pre-existing Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is t ...
in La Jolla, California. Built in 1909-10, is the oldest oceanographic
Oceanography (), also known as oceanology and ocean science, is the scientific study of the oceans. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamic ...
research building in continuous use in the United States, and the historic center of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It is also architecturally significant as a work of Modernist architect Irving Gill
Irving John Gill (April 26, 1870 – October 7, 1936), was an American architect. He did most of his work in Southern California, especially in San Diego and Los Angeles. He is considered a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture. Twelve ...
, and for its early use of reinforced concrete. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...
in 1982. and It now houses Scripps administrative offices.
Description and history
The Old Scripps Building is located overlooking the Pacific coast near the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier on the campus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It is set on a terrace about above the shore, and is a relatively nondescript concrete structure, two stories in height, measuring about , with the long access oriented roughly east–west. Windows are set by pairs in recessed bays, giving the surrounding concrete the appearance of structural piers. The interior plan has a wide central hall on each level, the areas on either historically used for a variety of purposes. Of particular note was the lecture hall at the western end of the second floor, which afforded views to the ocean. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography was founded in 1903 as the Marine Biological Laboratory, and received a major donation in 1907 from Edward W. Scripps in the form of the land on which its campus now stands. This building was constructed in 1909-10, funded by Scripps' sister,Ellen Browning Scripps
Ellen Browning Scripps (October 18, 1836 – August 3, 1932) was an American journalist and philanthropist who was the founding donor of several major institutions in Southern California. She and her half-brother E. W. Scripps created the E. W. ...
, and was formally named in honor of her brother, George H. Scripps. The building was designed by Irving Gill
Irving John Gill (April 26, 1870 – October 7, 1936), was an American architect. He did most of his work in Southern California, especially in San Diego and Los Angeles. He is considered a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture. Twelve ...
, a San Diego-based architect who was an proponent of Modernist architecture
Modern architecture, or modernist architecture, was an architectural movement or architectural style based upon new and innovative technologies of construction, particularly the use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete; the idea that form ...
. It is an early example of reinforced concrete construction techniques.
In its early years, the building housed laboratories, offices, and also the residence of the institution's director. For a number of decades it was used entirely for laboratories and research, and was vacated in 1977 after new facilities were built nearby. The university proposed its demolition, in part because the building did not meet modern seismic codes. Local preservationists banded together to raise funds for the building's restoration, including the reversal of alterations that interfered with the architect's original vision.
See also
*List of National Historic Landmarks in California
This is a complete List of National Historic Landmarks in California. The United States National Historic Landmark (NHL) program is operated under the auspices of the National Park Service, and recognizes structures, districts, objects, and simila ...
* San Diego Historical Landmarks in La Jolla, California
*
References
External links
Timeline of Scripps Institution of Oceanography history
{{National Register of Historic Places Scripps Institution of Oceanography Irving Gill buildings La Jolla, San Diego Buildings and structures completed in 1909 Buildings and structures in San Diego County, California National Register of Historic Places in San Diego National Historic Landmarks in California 1909 establishments in California