Mechanics Building, also known as Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building, was a historic building on the campus of the

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...

Berkeley, California Berkeley ( ) is a city on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in northern Alameda County, California, United States. It is named after the 18th-century Anglo-Irish bishop and philosopher George Berkeley. It borders the cities of Oakland, Cali ...

. Over the years, this brick academic structure was known by various names, reflecting the evolving focus and development of engineering disciplines. The Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building was demolished in 1965 to provide space for the Davis Hall and the

Bechtel Bechtel Corporation () is an American engineering, procurement, construction, and project management company founded in San Francisco, California in 1898, and headquartered in Reston, Virginia in the Washington metropolitan area. , the '' E ...

Engineering Center.

History

Origins and Early Construction

In 1892, the University of California, Berkeley initiated the construction of a new academic building to accommodate the burgeoning disciplines of mechanical and electrical engineering. The project, initially named the "Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building," was entrusted to architect William F. Curlett, a notable figure from San Francisco. The plans for the structure envisioned a facility that would serve as a hub for innovative research, education, and practical application of engineering principles.

The Mechanics Building Era (1893-1931)

Upon its completion in 1893, the building was officially named the "Mechanics Building." During this period, it became the focal point for engineering studies at UC Berkeley. The name change to the "Mechanics Building" is indicative of a broader scope, suggesting that the building catered not only to mechanical and electrical engineering but also encompassed other engineering disciplines. The Mechanics Building stood as a testament to the university's commitment to technological advancements and the pursuit of knowledge in the engineering field.

Return to the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building (1931-1965)

In 1931, the building underwent another name change, reverting to its original designation as the "Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building." This shift in nomenclature emphasized a renewed emphasis on the mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines, aligning the building's name with its primary function. The structure continued to support groundbreaking research, house cutting-edge laboratories, and provide state-of-the-art educational facilities for engineering students.

Architectural Significance and Funding

Architect William Curlett's involvement in the project adds further significance to the Mechanics Building's history. Curlett, renowned for his contributions to San Francisco's architectural landscape, crafted a design that blended functionality and aesthetic appeal. His vision provided an inspiring environment for students, faculty, and researchers alike. The construction cost of $63,000 () was funded by the University of California, Berkeley itself, highlighting the institution's commitment to investing in its engineering programs and infrastructure. The Mechanics building contained the laboratories of steam engineering, gas engineering, hydraulic engineering, and electrical engineering. The Mechanical laboratories included a machine shop with a floor area of about , laboratories for experimentation with a floor area of , and a covered court with an area of . Machines were of different capacities and a testing room contained machines for tension, compression, and teorsioin of different capacities. Photographs of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building are held at the University of California, Berkeley's

Bancroft Library The Bancroft Library is the primary special-collections library of the University of California, Berkeley. It was acquired from its founder, Hubert Howe Bancroft, in 1905, with the proviso that it retain the name Bancroft Library in perpetuity. ...

, 1893-1965. 75 items: UARC PIC 10U University Archives. A 1931 accident occurred at the UC Mechanical Engineering Building during construction of a new concrete roof slab. Two men were killed, ten were injured due to possible malfunctions of the bracing and/or the shores supporting the slab.

Demolition

The Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building was demolished in 1965 to provide space for Raymond E. Davis Hall, designed by

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill SOM, an initialism of its original name Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, is a Chicago-based architectural, urban planning, and engineering firm. It was founded in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings. In 1939, they were joined by engineer ...

's San Francisco Office, completed in 1968. Davis Hall has housed the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 1968. The Stephen D. Bechtel Engineering Center, south of Davis Hall, also replaced the Mechanics Building site.

References

External links

Engineer’s map of UC Berkeley
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mechanical Building University and college buildings completed in 1892 University of California, Berkeley buildings Buildings and structures demolished in 1965 Demolished buildings and structures in California