California Sigma Phi Society

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California Sigma Phi Society

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About Us

The William Randolph Thorsen House was designed by the architects Henry Mather Greene and Charles Sumner Greene in style of the American Arts & Crafts in 1909. The house is considered one of the Greenes' "Ultimate Bungalows," and represents the peak of their unparalleled architectural style. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a California State Historic Landmark.


Located along Piedmont Way, one of Frederick Law Olmsted's first residential streetscapes and itself a historic landmark, the wooden house is uniquely distinguished amongst its neighbors. The main entry is set apart from the street by a dramatic brick wall and double stairway, flanked on each side by elaborate iron lanterns and carefully-designed landscaping. Inside, the illusion is maintained by a rich attention to detail, including hand-painted friezes, iridescent art-glass, and exotic woods. The Thorsen House truly is a masterpiece of architecture, art, and interior design.

Restoration

Since 1942, the Sigma Phi Society of California has owned the Thorsen House and has been entrusted with its care and preservation. For generations, the brothers have made historically-sensitive improvements to the house. Saturday mornings in their entirety are devoted to cleaning and restoration projects. A short list of our accomplishments includes:

  • Restoration of the timber bridge between the house and garage
  • Reproduction of the perimeter fence and timber gate in the backyard
  • Restoring the timber balcony of the guest room
  • Installing structural shoring for the lower sun deck
  • Installing new wood flooring
  • Installing new shingles on the southern facade
  • Restoring original finishes to the wood paneling
  • Painting window exteriors to the original color


For the last 40 years, we have been grateful for the support of numerous architects, architectural historians, interior designers, artists, and Arts & Crafts enthusiasts. Restoring the Thorsen House has always been a collaboration between the Society and the experts among the community. The end result is a priceless architectural and artistic treasure in Berkeley.


We welcome you to join us in our restoration efforts, and become a part of the history of the Thorsen House. Currently, we are raising funds for several necessary projects, some of which include:


  • An urgent seismic retrofit
  • Preserving and restoring portions of the Belgian linen on the ceiling
  • Repairs to copper decks on second and third floors
  • Restoration of the doors to the sunroom at south end of second floor
  • Replacement of severely weathered shingles on west facade


To donate directly online, please click here.

Thank you

Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or even just stopping by and saying hello, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you. 

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