Ralph Rapson

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Ralph Rapson
Title AIA
Born September 13, 1914; Alma, Michigan, USA
Died March 29, 2008; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Education University of Michigan; Cranbrook Academy of Art; New Bauhaus School; University of Minnesota
Firms Ralph Rapson and Associates Inc. Architects-Planners, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Notes

Contents


[edit] Projects

[edit] Furniture

  • Rapson Rapid Rocker, 1940.
  • "Equipment for Living", Line of furniture for H.G. Knoll Associates, 1944
  • "The Rapson Line" of furniture for H.G. Knoll Associates, 1944

[edit] All Projects in Chronological Order

[edit] Discussion

[edit] Case Study House 4 (Greenbelt)

Designed by Rapson at age 30, the Case Study House No. 4 was also called Greenbelt. Though the project was not built as part of the Arts & Architecture magazine Case Study House program, modified versions were constructed much later. In 1989, "a version was constructed in 1989 for an exhibit sponsored by Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art." A further refinement and modernization of the design became the Rapson Greenbelt line of house designs available for purchase through Wieler Homes.

[edit] University Grove Houses

Ralph Rapson contributed 8 projects to the original University Grove housing development, plus a ninth house in the neighborhood in 1987, some 30 years after his first.


[edit] Related Content from Wikipedia

Ralph Rapson

Ralph Rapson ( September 13 1914, Alma, Michigan – March 29, 2008, Minneapolis, Minnesota) was one of the world's oldest practicing architects at his death at age 93, and also one of the most prolific.



Education

Rapson earned architecture degrees at the University of Michigan, and at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he studied under Eliel Saarinen. “Cranbrook was a very exciting, dynamic place where I met and worked with guys like Charlie Eames, Harry Bertoia, and Harry Weese,” Rapson said.

Teaching

Rapson taught architecture at the New Bauhaus School (now IIT Institute of Design) from from 1942-46, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1946-54.

He was head of the architecture school at the University of Minnesota from 1954-84, where "generations of Minnesota architects came up through [his] tutelage."

Architectural practice and philosophy

Rapson practiced in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1954-2008. His work was predominantly in the Modernist style. “Practically all the work I’ve done is not too far off from Bauhaus principles,” he said.

But his work was oriented to people rather than abstract principles. He said: “Whenever I’m designing a building or a piece of furniture, people become a strong part of my general approach. The design process isn’t just about bricks and stones; for me it’s also about the people in a building and how I expect them to live.”

Rapson was a prolific sketch artist and kept volumes of sketchbooks from his various world travels. A book of selected sketches was published in 2002.Ralph Rapson: Sketches and Drawings from Around the World, Afton Historical Society Press, 2002, ISBN 1890434493. In the book's introduction, Cesar Pelli wrote: His drawings were "completely self-assured" and "looked quintessentially American."

Projects

Some of Rapson's most important projects include:

Awards and honors

  • American Institute of Architects College of Fellows ( FAIA)
  • Gold Medal, Minnesota Society of Architects
  • AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion, 1987
  • Winner, Dwell magazine lounge chair design competition, 2007

Death and remembrances

Rapson died quietly in his home in Minneapolis on March 29, 2008. He was working in his office the previous day.

600 people attended his memorial service at the new Guthrie Theater. He was described as a "rock star" in the field.

Thomas Fisher, of the College of Design at the University of Minnesota, said: “His passing ends an era in American architecture as well as in the history of the school, and he will be very much missed by the thousands of people he influenced.” Linda Mack remembered him as "A gentleman of the old school [who] maintained his career, his dignity, his charm and his kindliness to the end. He left more than an architectural legacy." According to Kay Lockhart, "Ralph loved being an architect, and he told me once, he 'felt sorry for anyone who wasn't an architect.' He infused us all with that same spirit."

Notes

External links





fi:Ralph Rapson

Above content from Wikipedia available under GFDL retrieved Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:35:49 -0700


[edit] References

  • "Ralph Rapson, 93; modernist architect", by Claire Noland, Los Angeles Times, 2008.0402.
  • "The Rapson Cube", by Jane King Hession, Rip Rapson, and Bruce N.Wright, ArchitectureWeek No. 347, 2007.0829. P C1.1.
  • Ralph Rapson. Sketches and Drawings from Around the World. Afton Historical Society Press: Afton, MN. April 2002. ISBN 1-890434-49-3.
  • Jane King Hession, Rip Rapson, Bruce N.Wright. Ralph Rapson: Sixty Years of Modern Design. Afton Historical Society Press: Afton, MN. April, 1999. ISBN 1-890434-14-0.

[edit] External Links

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