ARCH 05 — The Cantor Arts Center: A Story of Art, Architecture, and Resilience
Quarter: Fall
Instructor(s): Sapna Marfatia, Patrick R. Crowley
Date(s): Oct 10
Class Recording Available: No
Class Meeting Day: Saturday
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 9:00 am—3:00 pm (PT)
Tuition: $285
Refund Deadline: Oct 3
Unit(s): 0
Enrollment Limit: 40
Status: Registration opens Aug 17, 8:30 am (PT)
Quarter: Fall
Day: Saturday
Duration: 1 day
Time: 9:00 am—3:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Oct 10
Unit(s): 0
Tuition: $285
Refund Deadline: Oct 3
Instructor(s): Sapna Marfatia, Patrick R. Crowley
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 40
Recording Available: No
Status: Registration opens Aug 17, 8:30 am (PT)
Explore the architectural adaptations and reinventions of the remarkable Leland Stanford Jr. Museum, now the Cantor Arts Center. Built in 1894 as one of the earliest uses of reinforced concrete, the museum fused Victorian monumentality with innovative engineering under Jane Stanford’s vision. Students will trace its transformation after the earthquakes of 1906 and 1989, examining how seismic retrofits, modern additions, and adaptive reuse reshaped a grand memorial into a vibrant cultural hub. Alongside this architectural history, the course explores the Stanford family’s early collecting practices and their lasting impact. A tour of a new exhibition highlights Jane Stanford’s global travels and acquisitions, while students also study the renowned Auguste Rodin bronzes donated by Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, who funded the museum’s reconstruction. Through guided tours, discussions, and design analysis, students will gain insight into architectural resilience, preservation, and the art of designing for change.
Students should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to use stairs.
SAPNA MARFATIA
Campus Preservation Architect and Director, University Architecture/Campus Planning & Design, Stanford
Sapna Marfatia’s professional experience spans architecture, planning, urban design, historic preservation, and education. At Stanford, she has participated in the design of several prestigious projects and collaborated with university partners to create a vision for the preservation of iconic historic buildings. She has authored publications, presented at state and national conferences, and served on community and professional boards. PATRICK R. CROWLEY
Associate Curator of European Art, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford
Patrick R. Crowley received a PhD from Columbia and is the author of The Phantom Image: Seeing the Dead in Ancient Rome. Before joining the Cantor Arts Center, he was an assistant professor of art history at the University of Chicago. His work has been supported by the J. Paul Getty Trust, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts in Washington, DC. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.