Leopold Arnaud papers and architectural drawings, 1914-1980, bulk 1914-1945
Collection context
- Creator:
- Arnaud, Leopold, 1895-1984
- Abstract:
- Leopold Arnaud was a member of the Columbia University's School of Architecture faculty for 31 years and dean from 1937 to 1960. The collection consist of architectural drawings, correspondence, student photographs, student sketchbooks and papers documenting the 1944-1945 Architectural Competition for Permanent Building Construction at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
- Extent:
- 1 print box, 1 manuscript box, 1 box card storage-file, 15 folders flat-file, and 2 rolls
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
The collection is composed primarily of architectural drawings, correspondence, student photographs, and student sketchbooks.
Series I: West Point Competition documents Leopold Arnaud's involvement as the Professional Advisor in the Architectural Competition for Permanent Building Construction at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, 1944-1945. As Advisor, Arnaud's duties included examining the designs by the various competitors (which included firms such as Cram and Ferguson; Delano and Aldrich; Shreve, Lamb and Harmon; Skimore, Ownings and Merrilll and Voorhees, Walker, Foley and Smith) to ascertain whether they complied with the requirements of the program and to report to the jury any instance of failure to comply with those requirements. The series also contains 11 drawings (dated from 1925 to 1934) of various buildings at United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.
Series II: Student Work is made up of renderings and drawing exercises done by Arnaud while studying at the École des Beaux-Arts and Columbia School of Architecture.
Series III: Miscellaneous is made up of two subseries: Subseries III.1: Artifacts contains Arnaud's academic hood and decoration (2 pieces; cloth). Subseries III.2: Papers consists of letters and transcripts collected by Arnaud that relate to Columbia University and specifically the School of Architecture. Of particular note is a transcription of a cassette tape sent by Leopold Arnaud to Dean James Stewart Polshek describing the history of Columbia University's School of Architecture for the Centenary celebration. In the transcript, Arnaud tells Dean Polshek, "I thought that I would give a little run-down of the history of the [Columbia University] School [of Architecture] as I know it, because I don't have any modesty, but I am perhaps the only person around still going that knows the School from its beginnings."
- Biographical / historical:
-
Leopold Arnaud was a member of the Columbia University's School of Architecture faculty for 31 years and dean from 1937 to 1960.
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 & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, 1172 Amsterdam Ave., MC 0301, New York, NY 10027.
- Preferred citation:
-
Leopold Arnaud papers and architectural drawings, 1914-1980, Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.
- Location of this collection:
- 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