Imagine standing on top of one of the most prominent historical landmarks in the region, the Marin County Civic Center, experiencing history in the making. That’s how Ken Bengtson remembers feeling as he reflects on his experience more than 30 years ago. It was then that he worked as an apprentice roofer re-coating the roof of the renowned landmark.
Now, Ken stands atop this unique building once again. Only this time, he serves as the general superintendent for Rainbow Waterproofing and Restoration Co., managing the replacement of the Civic Center’s iconic Marin blue roof. Did he ever think he’d be up there again? “Never in my wildest dreams!” he says.
Completed in 1962, the Marin County Civic Center was Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest and final public project. In 1991, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. After re-coating the roof in the ‘80s, Ken returned to the building in 2018—this time with a wealth of experience in landmark restoration in Marin County, CA. He knew he had to honor Wright’s vision and ensure his team preserved the splendor of the building for future generations.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin County Masterpiece
The Marin County Civic Center is one of the most distinguished and visible historic landmarks in the Bay Area. Part of what makes it so memorable is its 220,000 square foot, concrete barrel roof, ornamented with medallions, trellis, and ridges.
As a premier example of organic architecture, the Frank Lloyd Wright Marin County building stands among Wright’s greatest achievements. Significantly, the original vision included a gold roof that mirrored the Marin County hills blanketed in dry grass. But the original color scheme would have weathered and faded too quickly. As the roof was being completed after Wright’s death, his widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, offered up a more sustainable color: Marin blue. The shade was similar to a church Wright had designed in Wisconsin, and it would become one of the most defining features of the Civic Center.
Preserving History Close to Home
Over the years, even the Marin blue roof naturally weathered and endured damage, and its restoration in the ‘80s was Ken’s first experience working at the Center. This time, Ken’s role had grown, and he once again marveled at the illustrious blue surface in need of a fresh coat and major repairs. He and his team at Rainbow were ready to get to work.
But the project didn’t rely on Ken alone. A group of engineers, the county public works department, and membrane manufacturer established the design to be implemented. The construction partners included a general contractor, roofing removal subcontractor and Rainbow. Ken managed the complex landmark restoration alongside a host of Rainbow partners. As Rob Browne, vice president of Rainbow, says, “It was a team-oriented project with a lot of collaboration between everyone involved to get this important job taken care of.”
For Rob and his business partner, Chris Abell, the project had special meaning. They grew up in Novato and met when they attended the same high school. As Marin County natives, they felt privileged to be a part of such a significant restoration in the place they call home. Despite the complications that come with an occupied building, they were proud to be trusted with the historic roof replacement.
“Working on a building that carries the designation of a State and National Historic Landmark always presents unique challenges, especially one that is fully occupied. Rainbow’s flexibility and attention to detail made the project an absolute success.” – Dave Arntz, President of Arntz Builders, Inc.
To respect the building’s heritage, the Rainbow team and its partners strictly adhered to government guidelines for preserving historical materials and treasured emblems. These items were removed in their entirety whenever possible so they could be displayed in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin County building and viewed during public tours.
Landmark Restoration in Marin County, CA
Preservation was only the first step in the landmark restoration process; there are countless details involved in a project of such magnitude.
The historic roof repair included total removal of the Main County Civic Center’s existing coating systems. The original coating was removed by a subcontractor whose crew took off the old roof membrane system and returned it into a bare concrete surface, revealing spalls and cracks. Next came the concrete repairs.
Several flat roof areas held standing water. Repairing damage and re-sloping areas of the rooftop ensured that water would no longer collect. However, fully addressing water issues and promoting longevity required a multi-step recoating process. This meant applying a fully-reinforced Sika RoofPro coating that includes a primer coat, base coat and top coats of Marin blue—a shade custom-made for the Civic Center.
It is this combination of the restoration and waterproofing for which Rainbow is known. David Axt of Sika Corporation says:
“Unique outside-the-box thinking [by the Rainbow team] made the job progress with much less repair and rework than imagined. From day one of application, it was clear that the quality of workmanship from the field technicians was top-notch and maintained quality throughout the project.”
Of course, a successful landmark restoration of this magnitude is a collaborative effort. As JP Van Zee, vice president at Arntz Builders, Inc, explains:
“Rainbow Waterproofing was a key stakeholder on the Marin Civic Center Project. Marin Civic Center is an iconic historical building that required a proactive and collaborative team. Rainbow Waterproofing’s expertise in their field helped facilitate open discussion of potential risks and prevention plans, ensuring success to the project and a trusted partner.”
Indeed, as Ken stands atop Frank Lloyd Wright’s remarkable building, one word comes to mind: teamwork. Throughout the project, this remained a guiding principle for Rainbow.
Respecting the Masterpiece
The Marin County Civic Center houses the Marin County Library, government offices, the sheriff’s department, parks and rec, and county offices. But it is more than its utility—it is an architectural gem. With proper care, it is one that will be preserved for generations to come.
Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Respect the masterpiece. It is true reverence to man. There is no quality so great, none so much needed now.”
The Rainbow team recognized this throughout its work. “Our crews—me included—take a lot of pride in successfully completing a project of this complexity and magnitude,” Ken says. And it would not have been possible without the vital partners who joined forces in this historic effort.
Rainbow has the experience and expertise needed to make your Bay Area building envelope, masonry, and waterproof projects a success. Reach out to the Rainbow team today.
The Rainbow Team is Northern California’s most trusted waterproofing and restoration company. We have the craftsmanship and expertise to handle any commercial or historic building envelope, masonry, or waterproofing project in the San Francisco Bay Area.
