AKA: Panama-California Exposition, Russia and Brazil Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA; Science of Man Building, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Structure Type: built works - exhibition buildings - exposition buildings
Designers: [unspecified]
Dates: constructed 1914-1915, demolished 1989
2 stories
Originally used as the Indian Arts Building, this temporary building had a long and productive life span. It was reused in 1916, as the Russia and Brazil Building when the exposition continued another year, and was known as the "Science of Man Building," a pavilion containing anthropological artifacts for five years from 1917-1922. Patched up, the originally temporary building became known as the "House of Charm," for the 1935 California-Pacific International Exposition. As the House of Charm, it was used as a drugstore, snack bar and store selling womens' clothing and other gifts. While conceived as a temporary building with a minimal frame and plaster walls, the House of Charm, in the benevolent San Diego climate, continued in use until 1989, when it was deemed a safety hazard. The San Diego Hall of Champions, a sports museum, the Model Railroad Museum, and the San Diego Men's Art Club all used the space between 1936-1989. The City of San Diego demolished the building in 1989, and rebuilt it on its original lines, opening the new House of Charm on 09/21/2996. Since its reopening, it has housed the San Diego Art Institute, rehearsal space for the nearby Old Globe Theatre, and the Mingei International Museum, a folk art organization.
Repairs occurred to the building in 1922 and 1933. The later repairs were done in preparation for its use in the California-Pacific International Exposition in 1935.
Demolished; the original pavilion was rebuilt to become the House of Charm in 1996.
PCAD id: 12317