Biographies of Architects, Designers, and Builders

Mark Falk (1896-1965)

Mark Falk was born in San Francisco in 1896. A structural engineer, he trained at Stanford University. Falk served in France during World War I and in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. After working professionally in Los Angeles for many years, he returned to the Bay Area in 1942. Falk served as president of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California, president of the California State Board of Registration for Civil Engineers and president of the Northern Group Consulting Engineers Association of California.

Falk was an avid aviationist. He is credited with designing the prototype for the twin-tailed P-38 fighter.

In 1950 Falk entered a partnership with University of Illinois-trained architect Corwin Booth (1915- ). Falk & Booth established a solid reputation designing school facilities throughout Northern California and the Central Valley, including Lodi High School in 1955. Booth continued a vigorous practice after Falk's death. Corwin Booth & Associated Architects went on to complete significant campus commissions for College of Marin and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Falk designed the California Packing Corporation Building in Fresno with Ernest J. Kump, Jr. He died on February 21, 1965.

©1994 John Edward Powell. All rights reserved.