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School of Architecture and Allied Arts (AAA) Student Drawings Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AAA 001

Scope and Contents

This finding aid points to a collection of approximately 1,600 drawings created by architecture students in the University of Oregon’s school of Architecture and Allied Arts during the years 1914 - 1970. Stored in the Architecture and Allied Arts Library in Lawrence Hall, the works are arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by creator. They were created using various media, including charcoal, watercolor, and blueprint, and range in size from 18” x 28” to 46” x 72”. Many of the drawings are encased in mylar to prevent damage.

The collection contains student drawings which demonstrate the pedagogy of the program, including analytiques, ornamentation, and sketch problems. The works reflect the changing styles of periods from Beaux-Arts to midcentury Modernism. They give a unique insight to the development of the Pacific Northwest architectural style, and the collection as a whole provides insight into the first works of artists who became important architects of the region, including: Chloethiel B. Woodard (Smith), Lee Nelson, Mel Streeter, Edith Yang, Howard Backen, Hollis Johnston, Mary L. Allen (Rosenberg), Eyler Brown, Wallace Hayden, and Walter Church.

Dates

  • 1914-1970
  • Majority of material found within 1925 - 1955

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Architecture and Allied Arts Library. Please ask a librarian for assistance.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with Architecture and Allied Arts Library, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Architecture and Allied Arts Library. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Archival material may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal and/or state right to privacy laws and other regulations.

Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g. a cause of action for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of Oregon assumes no responsibility.

If a researcher finds sensitive personal information in a collection, please bring it to the attention of the reading room staff.

Biographical / Historical

The architecture school was established at the University of Oregon in 1914, with Portland architect Ellis F. Lawrence as the director. Lawrence appointed Walter R. B. Willcox in 1922 to serve as the head of the architecture program. Willcox advocated individualized and noncompetitive approaches to instruction, which were innovative at the time and encouraged creative solutions for assignments. After World War II, the program grew and diversified as returning veterans enrolled in classes.

Extent

1612 drawing(s)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains approximately 1,600 drawings created by architecture students in the University of Oregon’s school of Architecture and Allied Arts during the years 1914-1970. Stored in the Architecture and Allied Arts Library in Lawrence Hall, the works are arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by creator. They were created using various media, including charcoal, watercolor, and blueprint, and range in size from 18” x 28” to 46” x 72”.

Arrangement

The collection is housed in a series of 51 metallic map drawers in the 3rd floor of the Architecture and Allied Arts Library at the University of Oregon. They are arranged chronologically by year and then, alphabetically by creator within the year drawers.

Physical Location

This collection is housed at the Architecture and Allied Arts Library 200 Lawrence Hall 1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 (541) 346-3637

Dimensions

The drawings range in size from 18" x 28" to 46" x 72".

Processing Information

Collection processed by Helene Marie Hannon, Edward Teague and Stephanie Kays. This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Title
Guide to the School of Architecture and Allied Arts (AAA) Student Drawings Collection
Status
Complete Description
Author
Helene Marie Hannon, Edward Teague and Stephanie Kays
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English

Repository Details

Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299 USA