Bruce Graham
From Archiplanet
| Bruce Graham | |
| Title | FAIA |
| Born | 1925; Bogota, Colombia |
| Died | March 6, 2010; Hobe Sound, Florida, USA |
| Firms | Skidmore Owings and Merrill-SOM (SOM) |
| Notes | |
| At Great Buildings | http://www.GreatBuildings.com/architects/Bruce_Graham-SOM.html |
Contents |
[edit] Works
- Inland Steel Building, Chicago, Illinois 1956 to 1958.
- First Wisconsin Plaza, at Madison, Wisconsin, 1974. GreatBuildings page
- John Hancock Center, at Chicago, Illinois, 1970. GreatBuildings page
- Sears Tower, at Chicago, Illinois, 1974 to 1976. GreatBuildings page
[edit] Discussion
Bruce Graham was born in Bogota, Colombia of American parents in 1925. He studied at the University of Dayton, Ohio and at the Case School of Applied Sciences in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1948 with a degree in architecture. Following a stint in the offices of Holabird and Roche (now Holabird & Root), he accepted the position of Chief of Design at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. In 1960 he became a general partner.
One of the leading American designers of high-rise buildings, Graham played a leading role in establishing the Miesian building principles which would affect Chicago commercial architecture during the 1950s and 1960s. One of the most enthusiastic practitioners of the Miesian manner, he never actually studied with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s Graham developed several significant skyscrapers which utilized the revolutionary tubular frame principle. In the late 1970s Graham and SOM expanded internationally. As the popularity of the Miesian look waned, Graham shifted to a more lyrical and complex building style.
Bruce Graham was deeply involved with many aspects of developing the city of Chicago, from city planning, bringing great public art to the city and involvement in individual projects. Bruce Graham built extensively all over the world from his home in Chicago, to Guatemala, Hong Kong, London, Cairo, and many other cities. He was extremely involved with his alma mater, University of Pennsylvania, especially the School of Fine Arts. He believed that Professors of Architecture should be currently involved in its practice. He was committed to the study of Architectural Theory and started the S.O.M Foundation. He also taught an Architectural studio at Harvard. Bruce Graham was a great collector of Art. He befriended Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Chryssa and Chillida, to name a few. He invited these artists to create public works of Art for the city of Chicago. He believed that the architect should be informed by philosophy, history, music and literature to build great monuments. He was an avid reader, lover of music and world traveler.
[edit] References
- Bruce Graham. Bruce Graham of SOM. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 1989. ISBN 0-8478-1087-9. LC 89-42 689. NA737.G715B7 1989. discussion p46. Exterior photo of buiding in context, f73 p49. — out of print, but you can request a hunt for this book at Amazon.com
- Muriel Emmanuel. Contemporary Architects. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1980. ISBN 0-312-16635-4. NA 680-C625. p303-304.
[edit] External Links
- Bruce Graham Interviewed by Detlef Mertins, SOM web site 2002.0807
- "Legendary Architect Bruce J. Graham Dies," SOM web site, 2010.0308
