Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Library Special Collections

The interview is organized chronologically, beginning with Ackerman's childhood and family background and continuing through his education and career as an art historian and academic, as well as his interest in architecture. Major topics include Ackerman's writings, the conflict between theoretical and historical approaches to art history, the effect of the 1960s on art history, and colleagues and policies in the Harvard University Department of Fine Arts.

Allison was first encouraged to discuss his youth and the nature of his education which led to the choice of a career as an architect. The interview then proceeded chronologically, covering his early work in Southern California, the establishment of his own firm, and its activities. He was also asked to discuss his participation in professional societies, and the work of fellow architects in the region, his philosophy of architecture, and the impact of changing architectural concepts on the greater Los Angeles area. Following each interview the respondent prepared a summary of the session which was mailed to the interviewer these summaries are on file in the office of the Program.

Talks about the beginnings of the Society of Architectural Historians, courses Coolidge taught at Harvard involving architecture, and choosing architects for buildings on the Harvard campus.

Robert Field, Jr., discusses his career as an architect and comments on a variety of subjects relating to his profession.

The interview follows a chronological format, tracing Harris's life and career up to his move from Los Angeles in the late forties. Several areas of interest are discussed in detail. Aside from basic biographical information, considerable attention is given to the influence growing up in California had on Harris's architectural concepts. There is also some discussion of the architectural history of Los Angeles up to World War II, followed by detailed discussions and remembrances of Richard Neutra, Rudolf Schindler and Frank Lloyd Wright. Other areas of discussion which break up the chronological order concern Harris's views on particular styles of architecture, on architect/client relations, the use of materials, and the effects of technology on architecture.

The interview is organized chronologically, beginning with Kappe's childhood in Minneapolis and Los Angeles and continuing through his education at University of California, Berkeley; the establishment of his own firm; his ongoing career as an architect, planner, and educator. Major topics discussed include residences and other buildings Kappe has designed; energy-efficient architecture; his firm's urban design projects; Kappe's social vision for architecture and planning; the establishment of an architectural program at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and the founding of Southern California Institute of Architecture

Lautner worked under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin (Wisconsin and Arizona), 1933-1939.

The interview begins with a chronological format, covering Martin's family background and the architectural accomplishments of his father. After Tape V, however, the interview format becomes topical.

Cliff May (1909–1989) was an architect practicing in California best known and remembered for developing the suburban Post-war "dream home" — the California Ranch House. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_May) The interview was designed to follow a generally chronological format, moving from May's childhood to his present activities. This chronological order is frequently interrupted by May's own associations, which move from subject to subject as one remembrance triggers another.

Discusses how he became interested in architecture and went to Taliesin East where he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright for a while, getting a great deal from the association with this great and intelligent architect.

In general the interview follows a chronological format, beginning with Soriano's childhood on the island of Rhodes, Greece (from 1912 to 1947 ruled by Italy), and subsequent migration to America, and continuing on to his education and early influences in the field of architecture. The bulk of the interview focuses on Soriano's major projects and the various architectural innovations he made involving the use of steel, aluminum, and prefabricated materials.