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Controversy Surrounds Shape of Naval Base in San Diego
SAN DIEGO — The exterior design of a naval base in San Diego County has sparked significant debate for decades, particularly when viewed from above.
Residents of San Diego may be well acquainted with the ongoing discussions surrounding Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. The arrangement of its four buildings resembles the letter “L,” creating a controversial appearance that some argue resembles a swastika, a notorious symbol linked to the Nazi Party.
These four structures serve as barracks and are situated between Bougainville, Eniwetok, Tulagi, and Rio roads within the base.
Established in 1943, the base was part of efforts to accommodate larger vessels at Naval Station San Diego during World War II, achieved through the dredging of San Diego Bay, as noted by the Navy’s website.
The controversial barracks, known as NAB Complex 320-325, were built in the 1960s based on a design proposed by architects William T. Hendrick and John R. Mock.
In 2006, Avrahaum Segol, an Israeli national and former U.S. resident, became aware of the design’s implications and sought to raise awareness about it, advocating for a redesign to eliminate the problematic shape.
The discussion gained traction when The New York Times reported in 2007 that the Navy contended the resemblance was unintentional and announced plans to invest $600,000 in landscaping and modifications to the rooftops.
Despite these efforts, examinations of aerial views, such as those on Google Maps, indicate that as of 2025, the design has not been altered.
In response to the criticisms, a spokesperson for the base remarked in 2007, “You have to realize back in the ’60s, we did not have the Internet. We don’t want to be associated with the symbol.”
Acknowledging the matter as sensitive, the Navy released a statement that cited funding constraints as a barrier to redesigning the barracks. A substantial $14.1 million repair project for three of the buildings was conducted, focusing on upgrading plumbing, electrical systems, and common areas. Nevertheless, the controversial shape of the buildings remained intact.
In its statement, the Navy mentioned that considerations had been made regarding the installation of shade screens to obscure the shape but ultimately decided against it due to budget limitations.
A theory among some local residents, shared on platforms like the blog Hidden San Diego, posits that the two buildings located southwest of the barracks were designed to represent bomber planes, intended to signify their attack on the swastika shape.
Source
www.yahoo.com