Michael E. Barsocchini

Michael Barsocchini Obituary

January 24, 1939 - July 30, 2013
Michael E. Barsocchini, an award-winning architect who designed many well-known buildings and showcase homes in the greater Malibu area, passed away on July 30, 2013.
Michael's projects included Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church, the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue, Zuma Plaza Malibu, in addition to restaurants, horse ranches, Montana cabins, shopping centers, and office buildings.
In recent years, Michael concentrated on custom single-family residences in Southern California, many of them on the Malibu and Ventura coastline.
While attending architecture school at the University of Southern California, Barsocchini studied and worked with famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr. He later said Wright's concept of organic architecture inspired his own design philosophy.
Prior to starting his own practice in 1969, Barsocchini worked with the urban design firm Gruen & Associates, on projects throughout the United States, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah and Hawaii.
After starting his own firm, he prepared the urban design plan for El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park (Olvera Street), for which he received the state award of merit by the American Institute of Planners, Southern California and California Chapters in 1971.
Additional planning projects include the Rancho Mirage City Plan. This plan includes the most advanced guidelines for growth management, implementation of design controls and preservation of open space.
Other notable projects include Camp Ramah in Ojai, California and Zhongkai Villas in Shanghai, China.
Michael's hobbies included skeet shooting, cooking, and traveling to his historic roots of Italy. He was a Porsche aficionado and auto racing enthusiast. Michael resided in Malibu for over five decades, and hoped to be remembered by his work and contributions to the community.
Michael will be dearly missed by his loving family; his wife Barbara of 36 years; son Tony, a realtor, and son Nick, an Associate Architect continuing the practice of Barsocchini and Associates. He is also survived by his sister Mary and brother Patrick.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Aug. 11, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Barsocchini

14 Entries

Marcia Marinello

August 5, 2022

Worked with him,
Learned with him,
Shared a friendship with him and family,
Miss him,
Remembering him, I think about his family and loved ones.
Sending my love to the family.

Marcia

Marcia Marinello

August 5, 2021

Eight years after his passing, I can not count how many times I have quoted him and treasured his mentorship, kindness and sense of humor. I miss him. Sending much love to his family.

Shay Beebe

August 5, 2020

Today, I spent a lot of time thinking about my "second dad" Mike. I was thinking how much I could surely use his advice during these insane times and how we'd have developed strategies together to make projects happen more effectively during very inefficient times. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him.

Marcia Marinello

August 31, 2013

Mike was nice and always very positive. I worked for him for seven years and a half and I considered him family. My deepest sympathy and all my love to his family.

August 15, 2013

Our condolences go out to Mike's Family. We worked with Mike on Our Lady of Malibu's Building Committee, on which he gave freely of his time and talents to create beauty in his community.
Grateful
Jean and Ellen, Interior Architectural Design

Stefanie Edmondson

August 13, 2013

Mike was always a pleasure to work with and will be missed by all of us at the City of Malibu.

Mary Elliott

August 12, 2013

Mike was a great big brother. When I was in my teens he fixed it with our overprotective mother for me to fly to San Francisco and visit with him in Sausalito. I loved every second of that trip. Also he once found me when I was lost in LA driving around in an RV. There he was. When I asked how he found me he said I just felt you were there and were lost so I came. It's very hard knowing he's not there.

Alan Block

August 12, 2013

I was so sad to hear of Mike's passing. He was not only a well respected and talented architect, but moreover a great person and good friend. He will be sorely missed. My must sincere condolenses to Barbara and the family.

Barbara Shirazi

August 12, 2013

Mike designed our beautiful home in Lake
Sherwood, California. He was so unbelievably kind and so superb in his
designs. He was an inspiration to my husband and I. My condolences to his
family.

Rob Anderson

August 12, 2013

I had the pleasure to work with Mike for nearly 15 years. He was a consummate professional and a good man. He will be missed by many, and our thoughts and well-wishes are extended to his family.

Sharyl Beebe

August 11, 2013

Mike was a beloved mentor, friend, and father figure to me. He inspired me and taught me well over the years. I will miss his smile and sense of humor greatly. My love and prayers to the family.

Sharyl Beebe

August 11, 2013

Mike was a mentor, friend, and father figure to me. He greatly inspired me, and I will greatly miss his smile, sense of humor, and friendship. All my love and prayers to Mike's entire family.

Gia Barsocchini

August 11, 2013

Uncle Michael will be sadly missed! I have many fond memories of him throughout my childhood. My love to the family at this time xo

Wayne Chevalier

August 11, 2013

Mike was a good guy and great architect. I worked for him for 3 years after I graduated from Architecture school. He gave me a tremendous opportunity to learn the trade and I will always be grateful for the start he gave me. I will miss him.

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