Alward Construction and Julia Morgan: The Hicks House
Lewis A. Hicks House. 2311 Piedmont Ave. Berkeley-Ca. - 1908
Alward Construction is honored to work on many historic buildings, one of which is The Hicks House, in Berkeley which esteemed architect Julia Morgan (1872-1957) designed in 1906. The homeowner, Lewis Albert Hicks, was a civil engineer and pioneer in steel-reinforced concrete. He and Morgan knew each other professionally from working on the Hearst Greek Theatre and the Fairmont Hotel. Hicks hired the young architect to design one of the first reinforced concrete residences for himself and his wife, Eva. The two-story, 9,825 square foot Mediterranean Revival estate became a chapter house for UC Berkeley Chi Psi in 1929.
Chi Psi Building before restoration
Over the years, the building suffered unfortunate renovations. The new owners covered the original concrete façade with plywood and chiseled off some concrete details. Alward teamed with Terry & Terry Architecture to restore Morgan's vision. They reinstated the original concrete façade while repairing damaged elements. Because donations have funded the project, they have not yet been able to restore the original portico above the entrance. The residence is a testimony to Morgan's pioneering use of reinforced concrete. It also speaks to her ability to showcase Hick's profession which was important in the rebuilding of post-earthquake San Francisco.
Chi Psi Building after restoration
Morgan, a native San Franciscan, grew up affluent in Oakland but chose education over debutante balls. Because the University of California, Berkeley, did not offer an architectural program, she studied civil engineering. At Berkeley, Morgan met Arts and Crafts architect Bernard Maybeck, who taught her and her classmates Arthur Brown, Jr., Edward H. Bennett, and Lewis P. Hobart. He encouraged her to study at France’s prestigious École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Morgan became the first woman to pass the Beaux-Arts entrance exam. In 1902, upon graduation, she returned to San Francisco to begin her dazzling career.
