Felix Augenfeld architectural records and papers, 1910-1972

Collection context

Creator:
Augenfeld, Felix, 1893-1984 and de Carmel, Anna
Abstract:
Felix Augenfeld (1893-1984) was a Viennese architect and designer active in Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Croatia prior to 1938, in London from 1938-1939, and in the United States from 1939 until his death. His work consists primarily of residential projects, including apartments, weekend homes, beach houses, and residences, and includes both architecture and interior design. Like other architect-designers of the time, his work included original furniture and textiles to create a cohesive design experience. Augenfeld's design for Sigmund Freud's desk chair, now at the Freud Museum in London is probably his most well-known work. This collection contains photographs, drawings, blueprints, and sketches of over eighty of Augenfeld's projects with the majority focused on his years in America but with a substantial photograph collection that illustrates his Viennese work. Beyond project records, the collection includes a number of Augenfeld's professional papers that contextualize his work through his research material, portfolios, and scrapbooks, and his personal papers which include his own writings, poetry, correspondence, and photographs of friends and family.
Extent:
2 linear feet of papers approximate, 1236 photographs, 205 negatives, and 35 textiles
Language:
English .
Biographical / historical:

Felix Augenfeld, (1893-1984) was an Austrian architect and interior designer who worked on primarily residential projects in Vienna, London, and New York. He studied at the Technische Hoehschule (School of Architecture) in Vienna, receiving his degree after his service in the Austrian Army during World War I. Until 1938, when he left Austria for London and then for the United States in 1939, Augenfeld was active in Vienna with his business partner Karl Hofmann, as Hofmann & Augenfeld, and also worked with Professor Oskar Strnad as a stage designer in both Vienna and London. One of Augenfeld's most well-known pieces is Sigmund Freud's office chair, which was commissioned by Sigmund Freud's daughter Mathilde.

When he arrived in New York City, Augenfeld associated with many similarly relocated Viennese designers and architects (such as Walter Sobotka) and maintained contacts with some of his Viennese clients who had also relocated to New York. Among these clients was Muriel Morris Gardiner Buttinger, who – while originally from Chicago – had been living in Vienna prior to World War II and played an instrumental role in assisting Augenfeld in getting both to London and to New York to escape the Nazi regime. This friendship lasted for the rest of their lives and Augenfeld designed the Buttinger's New York City residence and research library at 10 East 87th Street. This building is now a locally designated landmark.

Augenfeld became an American citizen in 1945. Later in life, around 1960, Augenfeld married Anna de Carmel (née Friedlander), an Austrian designer active in ceramics and modern lamp design. This relationship would last until his death in 1984.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish must be obtained in writing from the Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University,1172 Amsterdam Ave., Mail Code 0301, New York, NY 10027.

Preferred citation:

Felix Augenfeld architectural records and papers. Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library. Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

Location of this collection:
300 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers are encouraged to request materials at least one month in advance. You will receive an email from the department within 2-3 business days confirming your request and currently available appointment times. Requests are limited to 8 boxes per day (or equivalent), with a maximum of 5 boxes for off-site materials, 5 folders of drawings, or 5 rolls or tube boxes.
Contact:
avery-drawings@columbia.edu