The John Breuner Company Furniture Store which includes many Art Deco elements was designed by Albert Roller in 1931.
The building is clad in a very light green terra cotta referred to as 'sea-glass'. The decoration at the roofline consists of Art Deco panels of stylised floral forms. Originally a large 'Breuners' sign adorned the roof but now there is a single flagpole.At the first floor level a narrow band of similar decoration is punctuated by cylindrical shapes.
The pinnacle of decoration is above the main doorway where the Bruener Company's trade to protrayed by two men building a chair.
References:
San Francisco & 20th Century Design Tour Book, 20th Century Society of the Carolina Mountains
Oaktown Art, The Breuner Building ~ a gem in sea glass green
Gaia at Lichfield Cathedral
4 hours ago
What a terrific building. Not only it looks refined but it sits lightly on the block. I love the sea-glass, the panels of stylised floral forms and the low relief sculpture over the door.
ReplyDeleteThe relief over the door is my favourite part.
ReplyDeleteI worked there 1967-1980's before their corporate office move to San Ramon, CA.
ReplyDeleteI've been in almost every sq. inch of the Oakland structure. That was the best time in my whole working career. The family still owned it and treated employees like family. I am still in touch with other former employees.
That's a great testimonial for a company. It's a shame these family firms just don't seem to be family firms any more.
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