Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, the esteemed landscape architect and graphic designer, passed away at her residence in San Francisco on May 7 at the age of 95. Her daughter, Nellie King Solomon, confirmed the news, which was later reported by The New York Times.
Fondly known as “Bobbie” to her loved ones, Solomon was honored with a retrospective at the Palm Springs Art Museum in 2020, curated by Brooke Hodge, titled “Barbara Stauffacher Solomon: Breaking All the Rules.”
Throughout her illustrious career, Solomon collaborated with numerous architects and artists, including Vito Acconci, Pascal Cribier, Stanley Saitowitz, and others. Some of her notable clients included the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (later SFMOMA), the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and even Scanlan’s Monthly—a countercultural magazine known for its opposition to President Nixon.
Solomon’s work is part of SFMOMA’s permanent collection and has been exhibited in renowned institutions such as the Whitney Museum, Venice Biennale, and Berkeley Art Museum, among others.
In 1964, Solomon was the sole woman on the design team for Sea Ranch Lodge in Sonoma County, California. The lodge embodied the “California cool” aesthetic, blending pop art, abstract expressionism, and Swiss international style.
Her collaboration with architect Ulrich Franzen on the signage for Hunter College’s expansion in Manhattan garnered acclaim, with Solomon’s distinctive typeface adding a touch of flair to the project.
Born Barbara Ethel Levé in 1928 in San Francisco to Lilian Reinhertz Levé and Fred Levé, a leftist lawyer, Solomon began her artistic journey at the California School of Fine Arts. After studying design in Switzerland, she returned to the U.S. and made significant contributions to the field of architecture and design.
Solomon’s legacy extends beyond her professional accomplishments. She continued to work well into her nineties, leaving a lasting impact on the world of design. She is survived by her daughter, Nellie King Solomon, who follows in her artistic footsteps.
