Zantzinger, Borie and Medary
Encyclopedia
Zantzinger, Borie and Medary was an early to mid-twentieth-century American architecture firm based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
specializing in institutional and civic projects, and active under that name from 1910 through 1929, and continuing until 1950. The partners were Clarence C. Zantzinger, Charles Louis Borie Jr. and Milton Bennett Medary
, all Philadelphians.
Apart from its work, the firm is noteworthy as having employed numerous architects who went on to significant careers, such as Dominique Berninger
(1898 – 1949) and Louis Isadore Kahn (1901/2 – 1974).
Zantzinger and Borie (but not Medary) were involved in years of preliminary design work on the Philadelphia Museum of Art
. The 1911 commission was shared between Z&B and Horace Trumbauer
. Architects Julian Abele
and Howell Lewis Shay, from Trumbauer's firm, are usually given most of the credit for the final building, completed in 1928.
for the completed buildings listed below, and on proposals for the Nebraska State Capitol
and the Liberty Memorial
in Kansas City. As a young man in 1930 through 1932, Louis Kahn
worked for both Cret and for Z&B. The firm also worked with former Bertram Goodhue
collaborators sculptor Lee Lawrie
and iconographer Hartley Burr Alexander
, among others.
The firm was the first recorded American employer of French-born American architect, who worked there from 1925 to 1932. During this time he served as job captain for their design project of the Sheffield Scientific School
at Yale University
, New Haven, Connecticut
, a project that cost around $1,250,000. Kahn and Berninger had met while working at the firm and went on to form the Architectural Research Group
(ARG) in Philadelphia, a short-lived collaborative society from 1932 to 1933 before Kahn took a job with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, while Berninger commenced his own practice in 1933 and later formed the partnership of Berlinger & Bower (fl.1935 – 1945), which was the predecessor firm of Haag & d'Entremont
(fl.1946 – 1988).
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
specializing in institutional and civic projects, and active under that name from 1910 through 1929, and continuing until 1950. The partners were Clarence C. Zantzinger, Charles Louis Borie Jr. and Milton Bennett Medary
Milton Bennett Medary
Milton Bennett Medary, Jr. was an American architect from Philadelphia, practicing in the firm Zantzinger, Borie and Medary from 1910 until his death....
, all Philadelphians.
Apart from its work, the firm is noteworthy as having employed numerous architects who went on to significant careers, such as Dominique Berninger
Dominique Berninger
Dominique Berninger, AIA, , was a French-born American architect based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, who practiced nationally in the mid twentieth century but particularly in Pennsylvania...
(1898 – 1949) and Louis Isadore Kahn (1901/2 – 1974).
History
The firm was functioning from 1950 to 1950, established by the original two partners and practicing under their names: Zantzinger & Borie. The association with Medary lasted from 1910 until his death in 1929, during which the firm was titled Zantzinger, Borie & Medary. Thereafter until 1950, the firm name reverted back to Zantzinger & Borie.Zantzinger and Borie (but not Medary) were involved in years of preliminary design work on the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
. The 1911 commission was shared between Z&B and Horace Trumbauer
Horace Trumbauer
Horace Trumbauer was a prominent American architect of the Gilded Age, known for designing residential manors for the wealthy. Later in his career he also designed hotels, office buildings, and much of the campus of Duke University...
. Architects Julian Abele
Julian Abele
Julian Abele was a prominent African-American architect, and the chief designer in the offices of architect Horace Trumbauer...
and Howell Lewis Shay, from Trumbauer's firm, are usually given most of the credit for the final building, completed in 1928.
Collaborations and notable employees
The firm collaborated with Paul Philippe CretPaul Philippe Cret
Paul Philippe Cret was a French-American architect and industrial designer. For more than thirty years, he headed the Department of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.- Biography :...
for the completed buildings listed below, and on proposals for the Nebraska State Capitol
Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is the house of the Nebraska Legislature and houses other offices of the government of the U.S. state of Nebraska....
and the Liberty Memorial
Liberty Memorial
The Liberty Memorial, located in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I and houses the The National World War I Museum, as designated by the United States Congress in 2004.. Groundbreaking commenced November 1, 1921, and the city held a site dedication...
in Kansas City. As a young man in 1930 through 1932, Louis Kahn
Louis Kahn
Louis Isadore Kahn was an American architect, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. After working in various capacities for several firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own atelier in 1935...
worked for both Cret and for Z&B. The firm also worked with former Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was a American architect celebrated for his work in neo-gothic design. He also designed notable typefaces, including Cheltenham and Merrymount for the Merrymount Press.-Early career:...
collaborators sculptor Lee Lawrie
Lee Lawrie
Lee Oscar Lawrie was one of the United States' foremost architectural sculptors and a key figure in the American art scene preceding World War II...
and iconographer Hartley Burr Alexander
Hartley Burr Alexander
Hartley Burr Alexander, Ph.D American philosopher, writer, educator, scholar, poet, and iconographer born Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 9, 1873.-Family and early years:...
, among others.
The firm was the first recorded American employer of French-born American architect, who worked there from 1925 to 1932. During this time he served as job captain for their design project of the Sheffield Scientific School
Sheffield Scientific School
Sheffield Scientific School was founded in 1847 as a school of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut for instruction in science and engineering. Originally named the Yale Scientific School, it was renamed in 1861 in honor of Joseph E. Sheffield, the railroad executive. The school was...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, a project that cost around $1,250,000. Kahn and Berninger had met while working at the firm and went on to form the Architectural Research Group
Architectural Research Group
The Architectural Research Group was a short-lived American architectural collaboration society functioning between 1933 and 1934 whose members were interested in the European avant-garde-influenced aesthetics and populist social agenda...
(ARG) in Philadelphia, a short-lived collaborative society from 1932 to 1933 before Kahn took a job with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, while Berninger commenced his own practice in 1933 and later formed the partnership of Berlinger & Bower (fl.1935 – 1945), which was the predecessor firm of Haag & d'Entremont
Haag & d'Entremont
Haag & d'Entremont was a mid-twentieth-century American architecture firm known for school architecture, which practiced nationally but particularly focused its work in Pennsylvania...
(fl.1946 – 1988).
Works
- 1912: ChanticleerChanticleer GardenChanticleer Garden is an estate and botanical garden located at 786 Church Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, April through October; an admission fee is charged. The gate is crested with carved stone roosters, or chanticleers in French...
, an estate (now public gardenPublic GardenPublic Garden is the second mini-album by Dragon Ash; released in 1997. Realism II was used as the theme for Asahi National Broadcasting Co.'s "Sports Spotters" show.-Track listing:#"Realism II" – 2:55#"Ability → Normal" – 3:05...
) in WayneWayne, PennsylvaniaWayne is an unincorporated community located on the Main Line, centered in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. While the center of Wayne is in Radnor Township, Wayne extends into both Tredyffrin Township in Chester County and Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County...
, PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... - 1916: IndianapolisIndianapolisIndianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
Central Public Library, with Paul Philippe CretPaul Philippe CretPaul Philippe Cret was a French-American architect and industrial designer. For more than thirty years, he headed the Department of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.- Biography :...
, completed 1916 - 1917: Washington Memorial ChapelWashington Memorial ChapelLocated in Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Washington Memorial Chapel is both an active Episcopal Parish and a tribute to General George Washington. Designed by Milton B. Medary, the Chapel resulted from a sermon preached by founder, the Rev. Dr. W...
at Valley Forge National Historical ParkValley Forge National Historical ParkValley Forge National Historical Park is the site where the Continental Army spent the winter of 1777–1778 near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolutionary War. The National Historical Park preserves the site and interprets the history of the Valley Forge encampment. ...
, completed 1917 - 1918: Federal Ordinance Plant Housing, 15,000 homes (to house 20-25,000 workers) on Neville Island, Ohio River, Pennsylvania (cost $50,000,000)
- 1928: Detroit Institute of ArtsDetroit Institute of ArtsThe Detroit Institute of Arts is a renowned art museum in the city of Detroit. In 2003, the DIA ranked as the second largest municipally owned museum in the United States, with an art collection valued at more than one billion dollars...
, with Paul Philippe CretPaul Philippe CretPaul Philippe Cret was a French-American architect and industrial designer. For more than thirty years, he headed the Department of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.- Biography :...
, 1927 - 1927: Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company Building in Philadelphia, 1927 (now part of the Philadelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia Museum of ArtThe Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
) - 1927-1929: Bok Singing Tower in Florida, 1929
- 1931: Strathcona Hall at Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, 1931 (probably refers to this: Sheffield Scientific SchoolSheffield Scientific SchoolSheffield Scientific School was founded in 1847 as a school of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut for instruction in science and engineering. Originally named the Yale Scientific School, it was renamed in 1861 in honor of Joseph E. Sheffield, the railroad executive. The school was...
, Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, a project that cost around $1,250,000, on which Berninger served as job captain) - 1932-1935: Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
Building, Washington, D.C., completed 1935 (on which Kahn worked)
External links
- brief history of ZBM at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
- brief history of Z&B at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
- history of the Department of Justice building