HORNBOSTEL PENDANT LIGHTS AT OAKLAND CITY HALL

"As you enter the building at night, the rotunda is to be illuminated by a brilliant ball of light which in its illuminosity will represent a glowing mass (of light) with no visible sub-divisions of construction or definite spots of light." -H. Hornbostel

After visiting Oakland City Hall many times over the last few months I have become fascinated by the Hornbostel spherical pendant light fixtures located in the lobby. I was recently forwarded a letter written by the building's architect (and light fixture designer too) Henry Hornbostel to the Oakland Mayor Frank Mott on July 30, 1914. The letter describes the spherical light and decorative 'zodiac ring' in great detail. Thanks to Kristen Zaremba and Betty Marvin from the City of Oakland for their research!  -Jason Kelly Johnson