Crafton Hills College: Eloquent Brutalism in the Foothills
Crafton Hills College Laboratory / Administration Building (LADM), sitting at the top of the hill, is the most recognizable building on campus. Photo ©Darren Bradley When Palm Springs Architect E. Stewart Williams was first awarded the commission to design an entire college campus in the foothills of nearby Yucaipa, California, it was a very big deal. In fact, this commission would be the largest and most important of his career. But when he had a chance to see the site, his initial reaction was to tell the college trustees that it couldn't be done. The long, broad staircases are a signature feature of the Crafton Hills campus. Photo ©Darren Bradley The proposed site was located on the steep slopes of a remote canyon, far from utilities such as sewer, water, and power connections. Building there would be a logistical nightmare. But the land, a grant from the Finkelstein family, could not be turned down. So Williams decided to give it a try, and embraced the challenges ...