photo from dedication invitation

The Maiden Lane Gallery, San Francisco

Restoration Frank Lloyd Wright's 1949 V. C. Morris Gift Shop at 140 Maiden Lane,off Union Square, San Francisco.

Taliesin Fellow Aaron G. Green, FAIA, of San Francisco, was honored at an opening reception on May 14,1998 in celebration of his restoration of Wright's masterwork design which is now featuring international folk art, Xanadu tribal arts, and Boretti amber and design studio, Raymond G. Handley, proprietor and art collector.

The restoration returns most of the original furniture of the building and provides display space in keeping with Wright's original concept. Green managed to tuck in an elevator behind the main space to accommodate patrons as the original ramp remains but is too steep to meet current handicap requirements. The interior color for the plasterwork is the warm cream shade selected originally by Wright, and replaces an off-white chosen by earlier owners.

The acrylic bubble ceiling lighted from above, part of Wright's design, spreads an even light over the entire atrium space. Woodwork fitted to the circular space is oiled walnut.

Green was associate architect with Wright in the development of the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael, and completed that project following Wright's death in 1959. He was apprenticed to Wright at Taliesin 1940-1943 after study at Cooper Union in New York City. He maintains his architectural office at 5 Third Street in San Francisco, 94103, 415.922.9846. His work includes public buildings including the Union City (CA) Civic Center and Public library, and the Newark (CA) Public Library and Community Center, and the Water Street Medical Plaza, Santa Cruz.

Other public buildings are the St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Walnut Creek, CA and the Community of All Nations, Stockton, CA.

A partial list of residential designs include the McAndrews residence in Pebble Beach, CA, the Paulsen residence, Portola Valley, CA, and the Elldred residence in Belvedere, CA.

Paulsen Residence

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