What People Say
Creating Community Identity
“I want to acknowledge the architect Fani Hansen…she certainly had a lot of outstanding challenges in making this a reality…Early on she brought community members together to look at this community, to touch on the diversity of this community and I tell you Fani, we are extremely proud of the work you have done here. It is with a great deal of honor that I stand before you today in this building, a building we will be able to look at and identify with the diversity that is in this community for years to come, a building representative of each and every individual that lives in the city of Pittsburg. The building fulfills the dreams of Pittsburg's community for many years to come. The center celebrates the cultural diversity and makes visits to the center as 'memorable' as possible.”
Supervisor Federal Glover Opening of Pittsburg Civic
“Great design and beautiful view of the town of Pittsburg. Makes me feel good to be born and raised in such a beautiful city. Thank you again Ms. Hansen.”
Marvin DeMartini at the August 26-September 10, 2000
Celebration of Art, Pittsburg Civic Center
“I had the opportunity to have a 'mini' tour of the New City Hall building and was immediately taken by the atmosphere of excitement. There is a sense of accessibility before even entering the structure. The feeling of community is echoed throughout the Hansen design. The multilevel feel allows ideas to flow, the natural lighting breathes energy throughout the space and the location of the City Chambers on the top floor encourages the community to explore their building. The New City Hall building is a perfect blend of beauty, function and innovation. My congratulations to a forward thinking City Council and community.”
J. Robert Griego, Bay Area Sculptor
“The center represents very much the city of Pittsburg, the history and the land and the diversity of the people. It promotes togetherness. The atrium murals…use text and images to tell Pittsburg's story…a proud struggle of people working together, pulling each other up when hard knocks have them down. Behind the elevator, a seascape with the mother whale pushing her baby toward the sun shows the need for families to support the next generation.”
John King, San Francisco Chronicle
“In researching the design, architect Fani Hansen sought to portray the city's long history of blue collar industry. The result was an effort to salute the past and how we can grow from the past to the future.Outside the Civic Center, adjacent to the southern fountains, the stepping stones of Pittsburg's history are literally laid in concrete. The Civic Center became a kind of historical museum.”
From Ledger Dispatch and Contra Costa Times, Jan. 29, 2000
“The city's new civic center will truly live up to its name. It also has a soul, with it's spiral staircase, glass elevators, marble rotunda, outdoor walkways and vibrant murals chronicling the city's history.”
Front page article, Ledger Dispatch, February 4, 2000
“It is just absolutely beautiful…The building, the architecture, with the murals express the feeling, the history. The value of the culture where we live and work is something we should pass on and move forward with it. It is just first, first, first class with everything.”
Mrs. Nichols, City of Pittsburg
“Longtime Pittsburg resident Rose Scudero, who now lives in Antioch, called the building 'fabulous' and marveled at the colorful tapestries hanging outside the council's spacious new third floor chamber. 'It makes a difference when you have that kind of environment,' said James Wallace of Pittsburg's Community Advisory Commission. For the $22 million building, Tiburon architect Fani Hansen used vaulted ceilings with exposed girders, pipes and ducts. The effect intentionally conjures up images of Pittsburg's old steel mills. 'It's real welcoming. You feel like you're in a place of importance,” says Nancy Chinn, Executive Director, Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce
Charles Levin, Staff Write,r Community/Scrapbook, Ledger Dispatch, 11. 17. 1999
“As most of you know, Fani Hansen is the very talented architect who created this beautiful building. As always, you think it's a collaborative effort, when it's not. This is a beautiful piece of work. (Applause) In congratulating Fani we also have to congratulate the city of Pittsburg for having the vision and the daring to build a building of this quality. It's so easy to build an ordinary building and it takes real courage to do something that's really remarkable. The city of Pittsburg is extraordinary itself.”
Tom LeFleur, during opening reception for World's Most Memorable Poster, Exhibit 2000 at Pittsburg Civic Center
“The visit to your office was a great success and sparked quite a discussion amongst the students. It is reassuring to know that people are actually doing some of the things out in the wide world for which they are being trained here at school. Thanks”
J.Hadel Evans, Associated Dean, California Polytechnic State University, School of Architecture and Environmental Design