Thorsen House

The William R. Thorsen House, also known as the Sigma Phi-Thorsen House, is a historic residence in Berkeley, California. Built in 1909 for William and Caroline Thorsen, it was the last of five so-called "ultimate bungalows" to be designed by Charles and Henry Greene, principles in the architectural firm of Greene & Greene. Three others (Ford, Gamble, Blacker) are in Pasadena, and one (Pratt) is in Ojai, California. The term "ultimate bungalow" was coined by Robert Judson Clark in the 1960s, but is technically a misnomer, since bungalows are typically small, one-story houses. However, "Craftsman bungalows" of the early twentieth century do share some characteristics with the larger houses of Greene & Greene, including the Thorsen House. Since 1942, the house has been the home of the California Alpha Chapter of the Sigma Phi Society, the oldest national fraternity in continuous existence. It houses members of Sigma Phi Society, hosts communal dinners, organizes small concerts, and offers tours for other students and members of the public, welcoming thousands of visitors a year. The Thorsen House may be toured throughout the week on an informal basis; one can simply knock on the door to visit.