Marion Tournon-Branly

I was one of Ms Branly's design students at Cal Poly in the mid-sixties. Her insight and perspective regarding design was new and exciting to me at the time. One interesting thing I remember about her is (to the best of my recollection) she wore only black and white during the time she taught our design lab class.

Great woman, professor, architect, historian who guided me while I was in Paris with the Gabriel Prize, studying the classical cloistered spaces of monasteries. Marion was tough, thoughtful, and generous with her time. She would make some calls and get me into places that were closed for historical renovation or that were very difficult to access otherwise. A critique from her was valued, blunt, compassionate and expansive.

We traveled to several monasteries throughout France together...

42 years ago this very special Lady taught 6 Wide Eyed Students of Tennessee what it was to be an architect in Paris and Fontainbleau, France. She was so impressive at least 5 of us never forgot her. Her joie de vivre, love of students, art and her teachings were very impressive. May god blees her family and and those who loved her.

Marion was an architect and educator of the first order. She adored her parents and through her writings memorialized their extraordinary accomplishments. Marion was a very spiritual and soulful woman. Her intense regard for others was both nurturing and profound. May she never be forgotten.