O'Neil Ford

O'Neil Ford was born in Pink Hill, Texas in 1905. He studied at the North Texas State University in Denton and then worked as a draftsman for David Williams in Dallas. He entered into private practice in 1934 and worked with a series of partners within the state of Texas from 1936.

Considered one of the nation's best unknown architects, Ford created designs in a vernacular style that lacks the cutting edge innovation that could gain him international notice. With quiet, well-crafted architecture, Ford attempted to consider several possibilities in order to achieve the best total design. He successfully resolved user needs and environmental requirements with a humane, non-pretentious design ethic.

Bricks, glass, wood, and stone constituted Ford's principal building materials. Climatic conditions dictated the forms of most of his designs, while preservation became a major driving force in his works. Indeed, his work in Texas has helped to make preservation a viable alternative to the destructiveness of "urban renewal".

References
Muriel Emmanuel. Contemporary Architects. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1980. ISBN 0-312-16635-4. NA 680-C625. p253-255.