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Finding Aid for the R. M. (Rudolph M.) Schindler papers, 1904-1954
0000100
0000100
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Title: R. M. Schindler papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0000100
Contributing Institution:
Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
175.0 Linear feet
(52 boxes, 36 flat file drawers, 1 oversize drawing)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1916-1953
Date (inclusive): 1904-1954
Abstract: The R. M. Schindler papers contain the work of the Viennese-born American architect, Rudolph Michael Schindler (1887-1953),
primarily from his time in California. Schindler trained in Vienna at the Technische Hochschule, from which he graduated in
1911 and at the Akademie der bildenden Kunsteunder where he studied under Otto Wagner. He also came under the influence of
Adolf Loos and his informal salons in Vienna. Schindler emigrated to the U.S. in 1914. Between 1917-1921, he worked with Frank
Lloyd Wright, first in Chicago and Taliesin, then in Los Angeles where he moved in 1920 to help supervise the Barnsdall Hollyhock
house. In 1921-1922 he designed and built his own house on Kings Road in Los Angeles. The collection includes personal papers,
correspondance and specifications, product literature and publications, manuscript writings, photographs and drawings. The
bulk of the Schindler collection was acquired in 1967 from Schindler's son. Most of materials are in English, however there
is a significant amount of material in German. The collection includes original photographs and negatives taken by Schindler
of his buildings, travels, the work of other architects (especially Frank Lloyd Wright) and his family and friends. His drawings
document most of his circa 150 realized architectural projects, though many project files only contain a few drawings. The
archive is arranged in four series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Office Records, and Project records.
creator:
Schindler, R. M., (Rudolph M. ), 1887-1953 -- Archives
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Gift of Mark Schindler, 1968. Additional materials gifted by Mrs. Wineld Park Blum in 1999 and Kathryn Smith and Randall Kennon,
2007.
R. M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa
Barbara.
Rudolf Michael Schindler (1887-1953) was born in Vienna, Austria, where he studied architecture and engineering, graduating
from the Royal Technical Institute and the Academy of Art. He also studied briefly with Otto Wagner and was part the circle
of architects around by Adolf Loos. In 1914 he came to the United States where he worked first for the Chicago firm of Ottenheimer,
Stern and Reichert, and then, from 1918-1919, with Frank Lloyd Wright in Spring Green, WI. He moved to Los Angeles in 1920
to supervise the construction of Wright’s Aline Barnsdall commission. There he set up his own architectural practice, working
briefly with the engineer, Claude Chase (1921-1923), and as a partner with Richard Neutra in The Architecture Group for Industry
and Commerce (1926-1927). In his lifetime he completed about 150 buildings, most of them in Los Angeles. His uncanny ability
to design three-dimensional spaces (he called himself a “space architect”) sets him apart from most other modern architects.
His house, which he designed and built on Kings Road in Los Angeles, is considered by some historians to be the “first modern
house.”
R.M. Schindler papers, 1904-1954, (bulk 1916-1953) comprise 175 linear feet (52 boxes, 36 flat file drawers, and 1 oversize
drawing). The collection includes personal papers, correspondence and specifications, product literature and publications,
manuscript writings, photographs and architectural drawings. Most of materials are in English, however there is a significant
amount of material in German. The collection includes original photographs and negatives taken by Schindler of his buildings,
travels, the work of other architects (especially Frank Lloyd Wright) and his family and friends. His drawings document most
of his circa 150 realized architectural projects, though many project files only contain a few drawings.
David Gebhard papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa
Barbara.
Esther McCoy research papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California
Santa Barbara.
Esther McCoy papers, 1920-1989, bulk 1920-1989. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Frank Lloyd Wright correspondence with R. M. Schindler, 1914-1929, bulk 1918-1922, Getty Research Institute, Research Library,
Accession no. 960076.
Historic American Building Survey records, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University
of California, Santa Barbara.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Neutra, Richard Joseph, 1892-1970
Schindler, R. M., (Rudolph M. ), 1887-1953
Schindler, R. M., (Rudolph M. ), 1887-1953
Wright, Lloyd, 1890-1978
Architect-designed furniture -- United States -- 20th century
Architectural drawings
Architectural photographs
Architecture -- California -- 20th century
Architecture -- United States -- 20th century -- Sources
Architecture, Modern -- 20th century -- California
Correspondence
Dwellings -- Design and construction -- Economic aspects -- United States
Los Angeles (Calif.) Buildings, structures, etc.
Modern movement (Architecture) -- California
Negatives
Prefabricated houses -- United States
Reprographic copies
Specifications
Transparencies