Olsen, Donald and Helen, House
historic place
The Donald and Helen Olsen House is a historic place in Berkeley, California. This residence, built in 1954, was designed by architect Donald Olsen as his own home. Olsen, who studied under Walter Gropius at Harvard, created the house in the Modernist International Style. It is situated on a slope in the North Berkeley Hills, near John Hinkel Park. The main floor was elevated to maximize views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, though these views are now obscured by mature trees. The house also features a mural by artist Claire Falkenstein. The Donald and Helen Olsen House was designated a Berkeley Landmark on March 5, 2009. It was then added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 2010. This site serves as a significant example of International Style architecture in the Bay Area.