Thorsen House

William R. Thorsen House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Berkeley Landmark #4
Location:	2307 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley, California
Coordinates:	37°52′8.34″N 122°15′7.09″W
Area:	0.4 acres (0.16 ha)
Built:	1909
Architect:	Greene & Greene
Architectural style:	Ultimate bungalow, American Arts and Crafts Movement
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	78000646
BERKL #:	4
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	November 20, 1978
Designated BERKL:	December 15, 1975

The William R. Thorsen House, often referred to as the Thorsen House, was built in 1909 in Berkeley, California by William Randolph and Caroline Canfield Thorsen. Designed by Henry and Charles Greene, of the renowned Pasadena firm of Greene & Greene, in the American Craftsman style of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The House is considered as the last of four Greene & Greene designed ultimate bungalows and is the only one located in Northern California.^{[citation needed]}

History

Detail of Leaded Art Glass window in the Thorsen House.

William Thorsen was a lumber baron from Michigan who retired to California and purchased a lot in Berkeley. His wife, Caroline, was the sister of Nellie Canfield Blacker of the Robert R. Blacker House. Inspired by the Greene brothers' work and also the wife and daughter of lumbermen, she too wanted a wooden house like her sister's.

The entry hall is paneled in teak while the living and dining rooms are paneled in Honduras Mahogany with ebony pegs covering the screws. The fireplace in the living room is surrounded with mauve Grueby tiles. The front door contains leaded art glass in the pattern of a gnarled grape vine, executed by Emil Lange. The Greenes were commissioned to make furniture originally only for the dining room, but they were later called back to make more pieces.^{[citation needed]}

Restoration and tours

The house is currently owned by the Sigma Phi Society, which is raising funds for an extensive $10 million restoration and seismic upgrade. The active members of the Sigma Phi Society are students at U.C. Berkeley and are primarily responsible for upkeep of the house under the guidance of architectural experts. Students living in the house have produced some replica furniture.

The Thorsen House can be toured throughout the week on an informal basis. Visitors should contact the Thorsen House via its webpage or simply knock on the door.

External links

• Official Thorsen House Website (Sigma Phi Society - Tours)
• Greene and Greene Virtual Archives Website
• Official Thorsen House Restoration Campaign Website
• Berkeley Landmarks Website