Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings
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Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings This finding aid was created by Tyler Stanger and Pardis Shaabani on March 26, 2018. Persistent URL for this finding aid: http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f1nw33 © 2018 The Regents of the University of Nevada. All rights reserved. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Box 457010 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-7010 [email protected] Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings Table of Contents Summary Information ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical / Historical .................................................................................................................................. 3 Scope and Contents Note ................................................................................................................................ 4 Arrangement Note ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................. 5 Names and Subjects ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Collection Inventory ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Architectural Drawings ................................................................................................................................. 6 - Page 2 - Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings Summary Information Repository: University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Creator: Kenneth H. Childers Architect Contributor: Childers, Kenneth H., 1931-1997 Title: Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings ID: MS-00851 Date [inclusive]: 1968, approximately 1981-1995 Physical Description: 27.99 Cubic Feet (121 boxes/rolls) Physical Description: 31.21 Linear Feet Language of the English Material: Abstract: The Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings (1968, 1981-1995) contain the work of Childers and his Las Vegas, Nevada architectural firm, Kenneth H. Childers Architect. The drawings depict both residential and commercial structures built primarily in Las Vegas. Preferred Citation Note Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings, 1968, approximately 1981-1995. MS-00851. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical / Historical Kenneth H. Childers AIA (1931-1997) was a successful architect in Chicago, Illinois and Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1969, his firm KHC Architect, received the first commission given directly to an African- American to design a fire station on the South Side of Chicago. Childers was born on September 11, 1931 in Chicago. As a child he participated in the radio game show "Quiz Kids." He dropped out of high school his sophomore year and later joined the United States Air Force. He earned his high school degree while in the service. The Air Force stationed him in Europe and North Africa, and a visit to the Taj Mahal inspired him to pursue a career in architecture. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1954, Childers began to work in an entry-level position in a Chicago architectural firm. He worked his way up to draftsman and later passed the State Board Examination for Architecture, despite no higher education or degree in architecture. He married Clara "Jean" Austin on March 18, 1955, and she worked with him as he developed his business. - Page 3- Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings Childers believed there was a "black architecture" and his firm designed in this style. He felt that "black architecture must be re-established and brought back from the days of the Egyptian pyramids. It must be and can be an extension of today's growing era of black pride." His firm designed many buildings including shopping centers, apartments, motels, and commercial complexes. He made an effort to hire African American contractors and sub-contractors for his projects. He collaborated with other firms to design projects for the city of Chicago. He lived in the suburb of Harvey on the South Side of Chicago and served on the Harvey Planning Commission. Childers and his wife moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978 in order to care for his widowed mother. He acquired his architecture license for Nevada, California, and Arizona, and worked for Anthony Campano from 1978 to 1981. He re-established his firm, Kenneth H. Childers Architect, and with his wife, continued to develop and design properties. Childers passed away on May 19, 1997. Sources: "Architect Seeks Minority Group Contractors," Chicago Tribune, October 15, 1970. "Bare Plans for School in Park," Chicago Daily Defender, October 1, 1970. "Commission Self-Taught Architect," Chicago Daily Defender, June 14, 1969. "New Motel Site," Chicago Defender, February 14, 1974. Conversation with family member. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Contents Note The Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings (1968, approximately 1981-1995) contain the work of Childers and his Las Vegas, Nevada architectural firm, Kenneth H. Childers Architect. The drawings depict both residential and commercial structures built primarily in Las Vegas including custom residences, commercial and business plazas, condominiums and apartment complexes. The majority of the drawings are pencil and ink on vellum, blue-line prints, and sepia prints. This collection includes drawings prepared by the following firms: Home Design Services Inc.; Arco Petroleum Products Company (architect); Cesar Bautista (architect); Alan Stromberg (AIA Architect); Baughman and Turner (surveyor); Swisher and Hall, Limited (architect); City of Las Vegas (architect); L. R. Nelson Consulting Engineers (engineer); Jett Engineering; ESI Engineers and Surveyors Incorporated (engineer); Robert Ballew (architect); John Williams AIA and Associates (architect); Lamb Architect (architect); Irwin Seating Company (manufacturer); J.P. Copoulos (architect); EPD BBA (architect); Brechler & Bell Consulting Engineers Inc.; Thompson+Merrill (architect); VTN Nevada engineering; Michael E. Craddock Architect; MBA Architects; Margarita Correa (designer); Sigma Development Consultants; Deltech Architectural Planning (architect); Deznan Development Corp; ALCA Engineering & Surveying Inc; Mendenhall Smith, Inc.; Jas Cashdan Engineering; and Design Basics, Inc. (residential designers). - Page 4- Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings ^ Return to Table of Contents Arrangement Note Drawings are arranged in alphabetical order by project name. Project names were transcribed from the title blocks of the drawings. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Access Note Collection is open for research. Publication Rights Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish. Acquisition Note Materials were donated in 2017 by the Childers family; accession number 2017-097. Processing Note Materials were arranged, described, and re-housed by Tyler Stanger and Pardis Shaabani in 2017. Pardis Shaabani entered the data into ArchivesSpace. In 2018 Angela Moor revised the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards. ^ Return to Table of Contents Names and Subjects • Architecture -- Nevada -- Las Vegas -- Twentieth century • Architectural drawings (visual works) • Residential structures • Shopping plazas - Page 5- Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings • Apartment houses • Office buildings • Multiple dwellings • Hotels • Motion picture theaters Collection Inventory Architectural Drawings Title/Description Containers 1988 HBA Showcase Home, 1987 October 12; 1990 February 06 roll 001 Physical Description: 10 Sheets (blue-line prints) Scope and Contents Note: This set includes drawings prepared by Home Design Services Inc. Job number: 87-100 9th Street Professional Building, 1988 April 25 roll 002 Physical Description: 5 Sheets (blue-line prints, pencil on vellum) Site location: 606 Ninth Street, Las Vegas, Nevada Job number: 88-02 Acorn Gardens Apartments, 1990 August 15 roll 003 Physical Description: 6 Sheets (pencil and ink on vellum, black-line prints) Site location: Escambia, Florida Job number: 90-17 Allenville Village Estates, undated roll 004 Physical Description: 15 Sheets (sepia prints) Site location: Ann Road and Allen Street, North Las Vegas, Nevada Job number: 93-08 Alterations to existing building, 1989 December 1 roll 005 Physical Description: 2 Sheets (pencil and ink on vellum) Site location: West Sahara Avenue at Santa Clara Crive, Las Vegas, Nevada Job number: 89-22 AM/PM Facility, 1988 June 27 roll 006 Physical Description: 31 Sheets (blue-line prints) Site location: Owens Avenue and H Street, Las Vegas, Nevada Scope and Contents Note: This set includes drawings prepared by Arco Petroleum Products Company (architect). - Page 6- Guide to the Kenneth H. Childers Architectural Drawings American Computer Institute, Inc.