de Young

Two weeks ago the new M.H. de Young Museum opened for business here in St. Francis, taking over from where it's previous incarnation had left off, a 106 year old vaguely Spanish-Colonial number complete with tower and red tile roof which was whacked beyond repair by the Loma Prieta earthquake way back in October 1989. Pierre de Meuron and Jacques Herzog, a pair of Swiss architects with a sense of humour came up with a replacement that has been described by locals as both "a rusty Star Destroyer" and "an aircraft carrier - the S.S. de Young." A recent edition of the SF Chronicle featured a letter to the editor that asked hopefully "If they plant ivy right now, will it grow fast enough to cover the de Young before anyone notices how ugly it is?"

I think it's fucking brilliant - even if it does look like an aircraft carrier...

View of the Museum from the east.

View looking up at the tower from the west.

On the observation floor of the tower.

Wilsey Court.

Entrance courtyard. A crack, symbolizing the destruction of the old museum, starts at the curb and works its way through the entrance courtyard. Click on picture to see detail.

Hanging sculpture in the tower elevator lobby.