International style modernism arrived late in Northern California. San Francisco got its share of streamlined Art Deco. The California Masonic Memorial Temple on Nob Hill is one of few buildings that show an influence of Italian Rationalism, that very particular version of early 20th century modernism that embraced the colonnade as a central component of its expressive language. At the Masons' hall, a 5 bay wide by 2 bay deep loggia serves as an entry porch for the hall. The orthogonal columns have neither capital nor base. They are smooth shafts of white marble, austere and serious; taut, lean and strong. The building was designed by Albert Roller and dedicated on Sept. 29, 1958.
