Old Fresno City Hall

Old Fresno City Hall (1939)

2326 Fresno Street

Many times when I think of Fresno, I hardly think of it terms of modern or progressive. But this International style building attracted national attention in 1944 when the Museum of Modern Art included it an exhibition of the most significant structures built in the United States from 1932 to 1944. It features an:

• interior ramp system instead of elevators,

• movable interior partitions rather than fixed walls,

• Council chamber with cantilevered dais extending outside the building. 

   One of the interesting things about this feature is how the current city council is placed in the new City Hall vs this one. In the old city hall, there was a very short distance between the council, the speakers and the first row of the audience. It gave the feeling of the council being in touch with the populace, or at least the populace could reach out and touch the council. 

   Now, the council is very removed, set back. There is a small wall separating the council from the people. It seems like a moat. There is subtleties in how architecture can make things appear and even influence our perceptions.