What was Thom Mayne's inspiration?

I’m crossposting this from one of my other blogs, Planetizen Interchange, which is an urban planning thing. Because I think it has appeal in this world, too. The new San Francisco Federal Building, designed by Morphosis starchitect Thom Mayne, opened earlier this year. It’s visible from the windows of our kitchen at work, so I […]

I'm crossposting this from one of my other blogs, Planetizen Interchange, which is an urban planning thing. Because I think it has appeal in this world, too.

The new San Francisco Federal Building, designed by Morphosis starchitect Thom Mayne, opened earlier this year. It's visible from the windows of our kitchen at work, so I see it at least five times a day, every time I make myself a decaf double americano. And I knew it looked familiar. Today I finally figured it out.

The building:

And what must have been the inspiration: