WILLIAM LESCAZE
IAUS Catalogue 16
Christian Hubert and Lindsay Stamm Shapiro
Christian Hubert and Lindsay Stamm Shapiro: WILLIAM LESCAZE [ Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies Catalogue 16]. New York: Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies and Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., 1982. First [only] edition. Squarish quarto. Perfect-bound, stitched stiff printed wrappers. 126 pp. 193 black and white images. Book design and typography by Massimo Vignelli. Edges of wrappers lightly worn. A near fine copy. 8.5 x 9.75 softcover book with 126 pages and 193 vintage photographs, plans, sketches, diagrams and blueprints. Exhaustive spotlight of Lescaze's work -- highly recommended. "This exhibition will travel to Joe and Emily Lowe Art Gallery, School of Art, Syracuse University, December 17, 1982 to February 6, 1983."
Contents
- Introduction by Christian Hubert
- The Apprentice Years: 1919-1923 by Lindsay Stamm Shapiro
- The Early Work: 1923-1928 by Lindsay Stamm Shapiro
- Early Projects
- The Partnership: 1929-1933 by Lindsay Stamm Shapiro
- Partnership Projects
- The Post-partnership: 1934-1939 by Christian Hubert
- Post-partnership Projects
- The Late Work: 1939-1969 by Christian Hubert
- Late Work Projects
- Bibliography
- Figure Credits
- Acknowledgments
William Edmond Lescaze (Switzerland, 1896 New York, 1969) was one of the pioneers of modernism in American architecture. Lescaze completed his formal education at the École polytechnique fédérale de Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, receiving his degree in 1919, and emigrated to the USA in 1920. He worked for some time at the architectural firm of Hubbell & Benes in Cleveland, Ohio, before setting up his own practice in New York City in 1923.
In 1929, Philadelphia architect George Howe invited Lescaze to form a partnership, which was named Howe & Lescaze. Within just a few weeks after joining forces, the duo began work on a large project for downtown Philadelphia. The resulting structure, completed in 1932, was the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) building, which is today generally considered the first International Modernist skyscraper, and the first International Style building of wide significance in the United States. Lescaze is generally given credit for the design: letters from Howe to Lescaze quote the former insisting to the latter that "the design is definitely yours." The structure replaced the bank's former headquarters in Philadelphia, a classicist structure near Washington Square built in 1897.
Lescaze submitted a design for the proposed Museum of Modern Art in New York, in 1932. Lescaze was also the design lead for the 1937 Williamsburg Houses in Brooklyn, a pioneering 20-building modernist housing project modeled on European examples. He later taught industrial design at the Pratt Institute (1943-1945). Among his built works were the CBS West Coast studios Columbia Square on Sunset Boulevard.
The Institute For Architecture And Urban Studies was founded in 1967 as a non-profit independent agency concerned with research, education, and development in architecture and urbanism. It began as a core group of young architects seeking alternatives to traditional forms of education and practice. Peter Eisenman was appointed as the Institutes first executive director followed by Anthony Vidler (1982), Mario Gandelsonas (1983) and Stephen Petersen (1984). In 1985 the Institute ceased to exist. ... Like tears in the rain.
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