Life Science Building (Hensill Hall) – Architectural Rendering, Spring 1965 (Updated two months ago)
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Architectural rendering of the proposed Life Science Building at San Francisco State College’s Lake Merced campus. The modernist design features a long, elevated structure with a glass curtain wall façade and an open ground level supported by columns, with pedestrian walkways leading to the main entrance. Spring 1965.
Tags: sf state buildings and architecture
Added to SFSU Over the Years on July 31, 2026.
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Information
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Identifier:
TP-ATA-1781
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Date:
Spring 1965
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Context:
<p data-start="595" data-end="974">The Life Science Building, later known as Hensill Hall, was part of the mid-century expansion of the Lake Merced campus. Designed in a modernist style typical of the period, the building reflected the growing emphasis on science education and research facilities during the postwar era. Renderings such as this were used to visualize new campus development prior to construction.</p>
<p>The Life Science Building, later known as Hensill Hall, was part of the mid-century expansion of the Lake Merced campus. Designed in a modernist style, the building reflects the period’s emphasis on light-filled academic spaces and open circulation. Renderings such as this were used to present design concepts and visualize how new buildings would integrate into the growing campus environment.</p>
<p data-start="1086" data-end="1105"><strong data-start="1086" data-end="1103">Architecture:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="1106" data-end="1284">
<li data-section-id="1ggu4ll" data-start="1106" data-end="1165">
<p data-start="1108" data-end="1165">Curtain wall façade with strong vertical mullion rhythm</p>
</li>
<li data-section-id="1qrz8pw" data-start="1166" data-end="1224">
<p data-start="1168" data-end="1224">Elevated structure creating open space at ground level</p>
</li>
<li data-section-id="16os8xw" data-start="1225" data-end="1284">
<p data-start="1227" data-end="1284">Integrated pedestrian pathways and landscaped forecourt</p>
</li>
</ul>
<div> </div>
<div><strong>Credits: </strong>Some descriptions were developed with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI.</div>
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Geographic Coverage:
San Francisco, CA
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Temporal Coverage:
1960s
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Type:
Still Image
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Format:
Negative
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Source:
San Francisco State University Archives
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Rights:
Public
Content
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Version history
- Import from CMS.
- Update by DIVA Digitization Team two months ago
- Import from CMS.
- Update by DIVA Digitization Team five months ago
- Import from CMS.
- Update by DIVA Digitization Team six months ago
- Import from CMS.
- Update by DIVA Digitization Team six months ago
- Import from CMS.
- Update by DIVA Digitization Team a year ago
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