renegades - Watercolor

Study: Counterpoint

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

College of Architecture, University of Oklahoma

A new aesthetic emerged in the ‘50s. Bruce Goff and his students wanted to explore new themes and motifs. Flying saucers, oneiric shapes, natural forms, vernacular buildings, and non-western architecture became sources of inspiration at the OU School of Architecture. As Goff declared: “We have need for accomplishment…We draw our own problems […] our aim is to develop architecture in this University for this part of the country. The copiers -the eclectics- learn how the Parthenon was built and follow its pattern…but they say, ‘you poor fools, you haven’t a chance.’ They expect to stand still. We expect to go forward.”

The Goff Influence

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

Donald Olsen

Study: Depth

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

College of Architecture, University of Oklahoma

If we compare these quick sketches by Donald K. Olsen to the drawings developed during the 1930s at OU we can see the difference between Goff’s ideals and the traditional approach to architecture. We should understand these drawings as a declaration of independence from the classical design problems and assignments prepared by the Beaux-Arts Institute in New York.

The Goff Influence

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

Donald Olsen

Study: Opacity

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

College of Architecture, University of Oklahoma

The arrival of Bruce Goff constituted a turning point in the architectural education at OU. Thanks to Goff the ancient precedents and study of classical ornament were no longer considered the focus of the school. On the contrary Goff envisioned a new pedagogical approach and encouraged unusual and modern designs. Often inspired by keywords, music, and poems, Goff’s students designed architectural concepts reflecting their own creativity. This set of drawings, prepared by Donald K. Olsen for the 4thyear design studio course taught by Goff, is an example of the new pedagogy established by Goff at OU.

The Goff Influence

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

Donald Olsen

Doorway to an Architect's Building

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

Doorway to an Architects Building, Exercise for Arch 62 course “Shades, Shadow and perspective”. Report Compiled for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, 1931.

This plate was prepared as a 2nd year design problem. As described in the label for “Front elevation and details for a Farmers Trust Company building” this is a typical example of a preliminary “Analytique”. The student was required to work on design solutions for the façade, ornament details, columns and their capitals.

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

Al M. Kendall

Tuesday, December 31, 1929 - 18:00

Jupiter Temple

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

Temple de Jupiter Stator a Rome, Exercise for Arch 62 course “Shades, Shadow and perspective”. A Report Compiled for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, 1931.

After several weeks of descriptive geometry exercises the students were required to apply their knowledge to architectural elements. In this drawing the student designed hypothetical ornament details of the Temple of Jupiter Stator in Rome. The floral element shadows are cast accurately in India ink washes.

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

Al M. Kendall

Tuesday, December 31, 1929 - 18:00

Farmers Trust Company

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

Front elevation and details for a Farmers Trust Company building, Exercise for Arch 61 course “Shades, Shadow and perspective."

The first work in the course consisted of determining the shades and shadows on and cast by various shaped figures. The plate here reproduced should be considered a preliminary study of the so called “Analytique” to which about five weeks was allowed at the end of the course. The “Analytique” or order problem was a design problem in proportion and in the elements of architecture and their relationship with the whole design.

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

Tuesday, December 31, 1929 - 18:00

Greek Ionic Column

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

Sketch of Greek Ionic column. Exercise for Arch 62 course “Shades, Shadow and perspective.” Report Compiled for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, 1931.

In 1930, Frank C. Morris, a graduate student, taught the Arch 61 and Arch 62 courses which focused on representation problems, perspective and theory of light. In the Beaux-Arts spirit, the older students were involved in teaching and helped freshmen and sophomore in their assignments. The drawings represented classical orders and ornament, based on the technique of copying and on the assignments published by the Beaux Arts Institute of Design.

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

J.M. Bell

Tuesday, December 31, 1929 - 18:00

Costumes and Ballroom for a Beaux-Arts Ball

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:01:51 +0000

College of Architecture, University of Oklahoma

During the early years under Joe Smay’s direction, the School of Architecture cooperated with the New York Beaux-Arts Institute of Design. Professors assigned themes approved/proposed by the Beaux-Arts Institute and students participated in its competitions. In 1939 Nat Baker, Joe Boaz and Paul Jeffries, three students of architecture, won the preliminary stage of the prestigious Paris Prize. Jeffries, the only participant from a state west of the Mississippi during the final stage, was awarded seventh place for the Costumes and Ballroom for a Beaux Arts Ball inspired by Inca motifs. The study of the past was still considered important at the end of the 1930s but the project by Jeffries declares the new desire of modern architectural solutions, avoiding classical sources and an excessive use of decoration.

American School in Practice

Watercolor

Class Project

P.F. Jeffries