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Norman N. Rice architectural records and papers, 1920-1974.
Architectural Archives, 215 898-8323 021
Mixed Availability
- Format:
- Other
- Author/Creator:
- Rice, Norman N. (Norman Nathaniel), 1903-1985.
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Rice, Norman N. (Norman Nathaniel), 1903-1985.
- Rice, Norman N.
- Kahn, Louis I., 1901-1974.
- Kahn, Louis I.
- Le Corbusier, 1887-1965.
- Le Corbusier.
- University of Pennsylvania. Department of Architecture--History--Sources.
- University of Pennsylvania.
- University of Pennsylvania. Graduate School of Fine Arts--History--Sources.
- Architects--Archives.
- Architects.
- Architectural design--History--20th century--Sources.
- Architectural design.
- Architectural drawing--United States.
- Architectural drawing.
- Architecture--United States--History--20th century--Designs and plans.
- Architecture.
- Architectural design--Study and teaching--History--Sources.
- Philadelphia (Pa.)--Buildings, structures, etc--History--Sources.
- Philadelphia (Pa.).
- Wynnewood (Pa.)--Buildings, structures, etc--History--Sources.
- Wynnewood (Pa.).
- Genre:
- Architectural drawings -- American.
- Student drawings.
- Physical Description:
- 170 sheets : various media.
- 11 photoprints; 1 photonegative.
- 6 folders.
- Other Title:
- Norman N. Rice collection.
- Place of Publication:
- 1920-1974.
- Biography/History:
- Norman N. Rice was born in Philadelphia, and graduated from Central High School before earning a B. Arch. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1924. After graduation, he worked as a draftsman and designer with a number of Philadelphia firms. Rice left the city in 1928, and after traveling widely in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, worked in the Paris office of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret between 1929 and 1930. He returned to Philadelphia in 1931 and joined the firm of Howe & Lescaze during the seminal PSFS Building project. In 1932, Rice established an independent practice in Philadelphia that lasted for some fifty years. In the 1950s he taught at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, and in 1963 he returned to the University of Pennsylvania to teach, continuing there until 1977. He made a substantial contribution to architectural education at the University of Pennsylvania through the Master's studio he co-taught with Louis I. Kahn, Robert Le Ricolais and August E. Komendant.
- Summary:
- This collection is the only archive of the architectural work of Norman N. Rice known to the staff of the Architectural Archives. The collection contains drawings for twelve professional projects, 1931-1974, four of which are also documented with photographs. Temple Beth Hillel (Wynnewood, PA) has the fullest documentation: design and presentation drawings, construction drawings, photographs, an office file, and structural calculations by August Komendant. The collection does not contain records for Rice's own house and studio on Fitler Square in Philadelphia nor for several other significant houses Rice designed in and around Philadelphia. Rice was a lifelong friend of Louis I. Kahn, from their years as fellow students at Central High School and the University of Pennsylvania to their years teaching architectural design together at the University. Rice's student drawings and notebook (1920-1924) and his 1972 retrospective notes listing his (and Kahn's) studio professors offer insight into the training he and Kahn received at the University of Pennsylvania. The collection does not contain records of the Master's studio he co-taught with Kahn. The collection also contains Rice's travel sketches (1928-1929) and a brief memoir of his time working in the office of Le Corbusier (1929-1930). The collection contains no materials related to Rice's family nor any other materials unrelated to architecture.
- Finding Aid/Index:
- Printed finding aid available at the Architectural Archives. For electronic finding aid see Web Link.
- This collection is indexed (with electronic access to selected images) in Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, a searchable database of architectural research materials. See Web Link.
- Cited as:
- Norman Rice Collection, The Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania.
- Access Restriction:
- Collection available for research by appointment only.
- Online:
- Finding Aid
- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
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