Student Design Competition

Ball State University's ICMA Student Design Competition

Second Annual Foundation Golf Scramble

Wednesday August 18, 2010 / 1:00PM Shotgun Start

Valle Vista Golf and Conference Center

Indiana Concrete Masonry Association, Ball State University and CAP invite you to participate in the Second Annual ICMA Student Design Competition Foundation Golf Scramble, Wednesday, August 18, 2010 to be held at Valle Vista Golf and Conference Center. Proceeds of the event will go directly to the foundation, insuring another 40 years of success. CAP and Ball State University are supporting this event benefiting the ICMA Student Design Competition Foundation Account. Every Ball State Architectural graduate can remember the time and effort they dedicated to this program. CAP separates itself from most architectural schools in the nation by requiring second year students to complete the ICMA Student Design Competition.

Together, Ball State University, CAP and ICMA have offered this rite of passage to architectural students for over 40 years. Second generation students have come through this program, which helps keep the ICMA Student Design Studio the longest externally funded design competition in CAP's history.

If you do not play golf, please consider sponsoring the event or send a gift directly to the Ball State University, Development, attention Brenda Bergl, Muncie, Indiana, 47306. The check must be made out to Ball State University Foundation, ICMA Fund #677 in support of Ball State, CAP and ICMA's Student Design Competition. We appreciate your consideration during these challenging economic times.

Your golf registration provides you the free driving net, putting green, cart, 18 holes, lunch, beverages on the course, dinner, cash bar and awards.

To get additional information visit here to download the registration form.

For more information, contact:
Brenda Bergl

Ball State University

University Development 765.285.2549

Image: Pictorial, National Concrete Masony Association, Volume 17, Number 5, 1961.

Part of the Drawings + Documents Archive's Trade Catalog Collection

Something fishy

Perhaps it's the torrential rain we've experienced in Indiana lately that inspires today's posting of a fish design in lineoleum created by the Fort Wayne-based architect Alvin Strauss in 1936 for an addition built onto Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Isay's house in South Whitley, Indiana. The stylized fish themselves appear as though they would be right at home in a Betty Boop cartoon, thanks to their prominent lips and curvaceous figures. By the time Strauss drew these in 1936, Betty Boop had already starred in a series of animated films and was incredibly popular across the country, so it is probable the architect had been influenced by the cartoons he had seen at the theater.

The extensive Strauss Architectural Records Collection contains drawings of theaters, residences, businesses, and schools built primarily in the northeast region of the state in the early 20th century. The collection is available for research. During the summer, the archive is by appointment only and you can schedule a visit by calling 765-285-8441.

Researching an Architect

Need help researching an architect? The American Institute of Architects maintains an online database of historic architects (determined as AIA members before 1978) that can assist you in your serarch. http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/Home.aspx

Here is what you will find in the AIA Historical Directory:

• Names of all national-level AIA members up to 1978
• Years of membership until 1978
• Does NOT include members who joined fewer than 30 years ago
• References to their entries in biographical directories (example: Jamieson Parker)
• Full text of the 3 editions of American Architects Directory
• Digitized files from the AIA Archives (example: Francis Abreu and note Related Records link to Abreu & Robinson with other digitized files)
• What might be in their AIA Archives file, if it isn’t digitized yet—you can request it to be scanned if the person is deceased
• Links to architects’ papers and drawings in other archives (example: Irving F. Morrow)
• Names of non-member architects who appear in directories or other archives
• Names of firms that appear in directories, in other archives, or in the AIA Archives
• Does NOT include lists of buildings

Modernmasters trade catalog

Our Trade Catalog Collection contains over 700 brochures, product literature and samples of building items from the 19th to late 20th century. Among them is this Modernmaster catalog from 1953, featuring chairs, sofas and tables that have become iconic representations of mid-century modern furniture design.

Tucked into the catalog, was this one-page pricing sheet from Herman Miller, featuring chairs designed by Charles Eames, one of the foremost designers of the Modernist movement.

Image credits:

Modernmasters: America’s Foremost Collection of Classically Modern Furniture, layout and typography by Clifford Pascoe; photography by Lionel Freedman, John B. Watkins Company, New York City, 1953.
Trade Catalog Collection TC 160.

Herman Miller Furniture Company chair price sheet, Furniture Forum, 1950s.

Trade Catalog Collection TC 160.

Bush Stadium

At one time elegant and stately, historic Bush Stadium (originally Perry Stadium) continues to fascinate us as it awaits its fate. Languishing in its current condition near downtown Indianapolis and on Indiana Landmarks' list of "10 Most Endangered Places," the building has fortunately inspired much revitalization interest lately. It's exciting to hear about plans to preserve the building while making it relevant to current needs.

While the Archive does not have the original plans in our Pierre & Wright Architectural Records Collections, we do have drawings made during renovations in the 1940s-1980s that are in the Indianapolis Parks Collection. If you're interested in seeing any of these drawings, you are welcome to make an appointment to see them here at the Archive.

For more information on the history and condition of Bush Stadium, visit Indiana Landmarks: http://www.historiclandmarks.org/newsphotos/10most/pages/bushstadium.aspx

Image credits:

Perry Stadium, linen postcard, n.d. Postcard Collection.

Perry Stadium, photostat, 1920s. Pierre and Wright Architectural Records Collection.