Marin County Civic Center is an Organic center in San Rafael, California, and a filming location for THX 1138 (1971) and Gattaca (1997). Built in 1962, it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and is a National Historic Landmark. It is owned by County of Marin.
Location: 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, California, United States
Verified facts
- Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5518, SRC-7965, SRC-7966 - Built in 1962
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5519 - Located in San Rafael, California
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5520, SRC-7967, SRC-7968 - Historic designation: National Historic Landmark (1991); U.S. National Register of Historic Places; California Historical Landmark
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5519, SRC-7969, SRC-7965 - Owned by County of Marin
confidence 85/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5519, SRC-7970, SRC-7965, SRC-10102 - Appeared in THX 1138 (movie, 1971)
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5520, SRC-7971, SRC-7972 - Appeared in Gattaca (movie, 1997)
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5517, SRC-5518, SRC-7973, SRC-7974, SRC-5521 - Architectural style: Organic architecture
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-7969, SRC-7967, SRC-14238 - Architectural style: organic architecture
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-13530, SRC-13977
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10102 — Docomomo US — Marin County Civic Center register entry (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13530 — https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/91002055.pdf (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-13977 — Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-14238 — California Office of Historic Preservation — Marin County Civic Center (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-5517 — Marin County Civic Center — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5518 — Gattaca — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5519 — Marin County Civic Center — California Office of Historic Preservation (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5520 — THX 1138 — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5521 — Marin County Civic Center — Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau (visitmarin.org) (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7965 — Marin County Civic Center — Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7966 — Marin County Civic Center — Atlas Obscura (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7967 — ArchDaily – AD Classics: Marin Civic Center / Frank Lloyd Wright (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7968 — Encyclopaedia Britannica – San Rafael (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7969 — NoeHill — National Register #91002055: Marin County Civic Center (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7970 — County of Marin (official) — History of Frank Lloyd Wright in Marin (Tier 1, official-government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7971 — Visit Marin – Wright's Masterpiece: Marin Civic Center Magic (Tier 2, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7972 — Inverse – 55 Years Later, George Lucas' Directorial Debut (THX 1138) Retrospective (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7973 — Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center (California Film Institute) — Gattaca (Tier 2, film-institute; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7974 — The Cinemaholic — Where Was Gattaca Filmed? 1997 Movie Filming Locations (Tier 3, film-outlet; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Docent-led tours Wed 1:00pm and Fri 10:30am (start at Civic Center Cafe, Room 233); ~90-minute walking tour. Building is a working government center.
Admission: Tour: adult $12; senior (65+) $7; student/youth (5-17) $7 (fees included). Pre-purchased tickets required.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Gattaca filmed?
Marin County Civic Center, in San Rafael, California, is a real-world filming location used for Gattaca. This property has also appeared on screen in THX 1138.
Where was THX 1138 filmed?
Marin County Civic Center, in San Rafael, California, is a real-world filming location used for THX 1138. This property has also appeared on screen in Gattaca.
Can you visit Marin County Civic Center?
Yes — Marin County Civic Center is open to the public on a limited basis. Hours: Docent-led tours Wed 1:00pm and Fri 10:30am (start at Civic Center Cafe, Room 233); ~90-minute walking tour. Building is a working government center.. Admission: Tour: adult $12; senior (65+) $7; student/youth (5-17) $7 (fees included). Pre-purchased tickets required..
Who designed Marin County Civic Center?
Marin County Civic Center was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Where is Marin County Civic Center located?
Marin County Civic Center is located in San Rafael, California.