Pierre Koenig
Pierre Koenig (born October 17, 1925 in San Francisco , † April 4, 2004 in Los Angeles ) was an American architect . He is one of the fathers of Californian modernism and became known in the post-war years for his steel and glass constructions.
Life
Koenig received his architecture diploma in 1952 from the University of Southern California , where he studied with Raphael Soriano , among others . In 1953 Koenig married Merry Thompson, the following year his son Randall Francis was born. After five years of marriage, he divorced his first wife. His second wife, Gail Carson, married Koenig in 1960, and his second son, Jean Pierre, was born a year later. In 1964 Koenig became an assistant professor at the architecture faculty at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, where he was appointed associate professor four years later. In 1971 Koenig became a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The divorce from Gaile Carson followed in 1975. In 1985 he married Gloria Kaufman, who brought two sons into the marriage. Koenig was appointed full professor at the University of Southern California's Faculty of Architecture in 1996.
"[Pierre Koenig is the] key figure in a generation that helped make Los Angeles one of the great laboratories of 20th century architecture."
plant
Koenig mainly practiced on the west coast and was best known for his designs for the steel structure houses Case Study Houses No. 21 (1956-1958) and 22 (1960). Both constructions No. 21 (also called Bailey House ) and No. 22 (the Steel House ) were built on land previously considered to be undeveloped.
“You have to understand that there was a joyful spirit of optimism back then. The war was over, everyone was extremely idealistic and wanted to solve the housing shortage problem. All dealt with mass production, building systems and solving social grievances. It was an exciting time in which everything was tried out. "
Honors and memberships (selection)
1989: Culture Prize of the City of Los Angeles
1996: 25 Year Award from the AIA, California Council
1996: Received the Maybeck Award for Lifetime Achievement from the AIA, California Council Los Angeles, California
1998: Distinguished Alumni of the University of Southern California Faculty of Architecture
1999: AIA Gold Medal, Los Angeles Section
1999: Star of Design for Lifetime Achievement from the Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles, California
1999: Distinguished Professor of Architecture from the University of Southern California
2000: Honorary Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects
2000: Los Angeles Monument Preservation Prize
2000: Distinguished Alumni Award from Pasadena City College
2000: Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement from the Tau Sigma Delta Society of Architects and Landscape Architects
2001: National Design Award, finalist in the architecture category, Smithsonian / Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum
2001: Received the 25 Year Award from the AIA, California Council
Individual evidence
- ^ "Pierre Koenig Dies", obituary in: Los Angeles Times of April 6, 2004, front page, quoted from: Neil Jackson, Pierre Koenig , 2007, p. 15
- ↑ Neil Jackson, Pierre Koenig , 2007, p. 9
literature
- Neil Jackson: Pierre Koenig: 1925-2004; Living with steel . Cologne 2007, ISBN 3-8228-4888-3 .
Web links
- Pierre Koenig. In: arch INFORM . (List of works, references)
- Biography (English)
- Architecture photos and information about Koenig
personal data | |
---|---|
SURNAME | Koenig, Pierre |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American architect |
DATE OF BIRTH | October 17, 1925 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | San Francisco |
DATE OF DEATH | April 4, 2004 |
Place of death | los Angeles |