, School of MIT Press

Paul Rudolph. For Perspecta Author(s): Paul Rudolph Source: Perspecta, Vol. 7 (1961), pp. 51-64 Published by: MIT Press on behalf of Perspecta. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1566866 Accessed: 06-10-2015 18:54 UTC

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RUDOLPH

The Architect must be uniquely prejudiced. If etc.) The process of change is the constant his work is to ring with conviction, he will be creative irritant. completely committed to his particular way of This approach may lead to movie-set making seeing the universe. It is only then that every unless there is an underlying attitude towards man sees his particular truth. Only a few find social forces, a set of preferences, a translation themselves in such a way. of the spirit of the times. It certainly leads to The various dictums of architectural schools buildings which seem inconsistent, not only with usually form the basis of the first works of an their predecessors but with concurrent efforts. architect. Many architects educated in the late One even addresses oneself to certain problems '30's and early '40's found themselves adapting in one building and others in the next. All the assorted prejudices of the International Style problems can never be solved, indeed it is a to the single family house in a particular region. characteristic of the 20th century that architects This generation was probably lucky, for the are highly selective in determining which problems International Style's cant and limitations were they want to solve. Mies, for instance, makes certainly preferable at that time, or perhaps wonderful buildings only because he ignores they were just more easily understood. many aspects of a building. If he solved more A growing awareness is causing many of this problems his buildings would be far less potent. generation to question some of the early dogmas, This paradox is heightened by the various com- especially the romanticisms regarding the ma- mitments to functionalism. chine, not because they were not partially valid, Our commitment to individualism is partially but because they often failed miserably on a reaction to growing conformity in the 20th many levels, for the concepts were limited. There century, but more importantly an excitement are many ways of organizing a building or, when we sense magnificent new forces and their more importantly an environment; sometimes possibilities. There are too many new worlds alien ways are combined in a single building to explore, too many new problems crying for or a group and disaster follows. The Architect solutions, for there to be a universal outlook must search for his own way because there is (every critic implores the gods to make us the not yet a universal outlook, and there are same) in an age of profound transition. unique problems and unimagined possibilities. An age expresses through its artists certain The International Style was only the opening preferences and attitudes which are inherent to chord in a great movement. that age, but no man can ascertain at the The site and the symbolism of the particular time those which have validity. building set the course. (Does respect for older attitudes in architecture lead to a new electicism?) A single building must be compatible with its neighbors plus suggesting that which could come next. Change is the only constant, but we do not know yet how to build in a compatible way with each other (witness Interbau, Idlewild,

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YALE UNIVERSITY MARRIED STUDENT HOUSING; NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

Stage 1

The firstscheme was completelyexposed concrete block with "Dox" plank floors above grade. All exposed horizontalsurfaces were to be whitewashed macadam. Because of the estimates this proposal had to be abandoned.

Stage 2

The buildingsnow under constructionare wood frame with brickveneer. The firstfloor is slab on grade; above floors are wood joist with an exposed concrete strip indicatingpanel position. The apartmentseach contain roughly 100 square feet more than those of the first scheme in lieu of the terraces.

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YALE UNIVERSITYART AND ARCHITECTURAL SCHOOL BUILDING; NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

Stage 1

The firstscheme was felt by the architectto be inappro- priate for the corner site. The succeeding are all varia- tions on the overlapping pinwheel; due to financial fluctuations,the library floor is sometimes in, some- times out.

Groundfloor plan

-I

Third floor plan

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Perspective

Longitudinal section Transverse section

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Stage 2 :"? Groundfloor plan

i----

Transversesection

Longitudinalsection

Thirdfloor plan

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i

Study Perspectives

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Stage 3

- IIUlJl |z rel~ LLA-----

i

Groundfloor plan

Third floor plan

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Transverse section Longitudinal section

Stage 334 Model

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Stage 4

Ground floor plan

Third floor plan

E \

\ .

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4..-I?---'e -?.;--r~~......

Perspective

Transverse section Longitudinal section

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Stage 5

Ground floor plan

Third floor plan

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Perspective

Transverse section Longitudinal section

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Stage 6

-l- :-.- ''- '"<"^._.l^ -ii. -N~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.m .-..- ~. AL- .....?r-.~.

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MILAM HOUSE; ST. JOHN'S COUNTY,

Stage 1

Until the first bidding this building was to be constructed entirely of cast-in-place concrete. It is now concrete block and cast-in-place concrete. The building in general and the end walls in particular have been simplified as a result. Likewise, Mr. Rudolph feels that the living room space is now clearer. ,,-, Longitudinalsection awoj7 o / I;4**'^/ i 'Ilk /"III"' ' , ' ,

First floor plan Second floor plan Transverse section

Stage 2

Perspective Longitudinalsection

First foor plan Second floor plan Transverse section

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