Chet Holifield Federal Building [SEP] architect
Chet Holifield Federal Building
The Chet Holifield Federal Building, colloquially known as "the Ziggurat Building", is a United States government building at 24000 Avila Road in Laguna Niguel, California built between 1968 and 1971, originally for North American Aviation/Rockwell International, and designed by William Pereira. It is managed by the General Services Administration.
History.
The building was designed by William Pereira, who developed a stepped pyramid silhouette that is rare in American architecture. The unusual form references ziggurats, ancient Mesopotamian temples.
Archives and Records Administration for the Pacific region were once located in the building as well but have since been relocated to Perris, California.
Architecture.
The sculptural Chet Holifield Federal Building is skillfully executed in a stepped pyramidal form that has a similar appearance to ancient ziggurats. Modern master architect William L. Pereira developed the unified design that is unparalleled in the federal government. A large portion of the more than one million square foot building is below grade, effectively diminishing the overall mass. It is located on a parcel of