A.B. Architecture '54

Gerald Weisbach has become one of the eminent few whom our professional colleagues have consistently sought out for his expertise, his teachings, his rational advice and judgment, his steadfast values and ethics, and his friendship.

Jerry has had two careers. From 1954 to 1978, he was a practicing architect and professor of architecture at three Universities. From 1978 to today, he has been a practicing lawyer for architects and other related fields.

Jerry graduated from UC Berkeley with his degree in architecture in 1954. After working for Neutra, Soriano and Warnecke, he formed his own firm of Weisbach/Boutmy/Silver and designed notable architecture, including houses and commercial buildings, winning several awards. One of his houses was published in Architectural Record Houses of the Year and for many years a commercial building on Van Der Water Street in San Francisco was listed in Sally Woodbridge’s guide to Bay Area Architecture.

He became a tenured professor of architecture at both UC Berkeley and USC, and was also a visiting lecturer at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London in the late 60’s. He was a principle of Building Systems Development (BSD) in its heyday from 1968—1972, significantly contributing to BSD’s seminal building systems projects.

After becoming a lawyer in 1978, he worked for DPIC on their loss prevention program—and he has been helping his first profession from a legal perspective ever since. He formed his own law firm, Natkin, Weisbach and Higgenbotham, and became the “go to” law firm for architects. He taught law courses at Wurster Hall over a ten year period and still conducts seminars for architects on the law and professional practice. All through these years, he served the public in many organizations including AIA, California Architectural Board of Examiners, NCARB, and publishing numerous articles.

Jerry has lived many lives: as an architect, teacher, lawyer, public servant, friend and advisor to so many—as well as being a father of four, one of whom is a practicing architect today.