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Gordon BunshaftAmerican architect of Jewish descent
Date of Birth: 09.05.1909
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Gordon Bunshaft: Architect of Glass and Steel
- Joining Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
- Architectural Masterpieces
- One Chase Manhattan Plaza
- Other Notable Works
Gordon Bunshaft: Architect of Glass and Steel
Early Life and EducationGordon Bunshaft, an American architect of Jewish descent, was born to Russian immigrants David and Yetta Bunshaft. His artistic talent was recognized at Lafayette High School in Buffalo, New York, by his art teacher (who later also mentored painter Frank Stella). Bunshaft pursued higher education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Joining Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
After working briefly for Raymond Loewy, Bunshaft joined the firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM). Inspired by architects Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, SOM's owners, Bunshaft became a driving force behind the company's success.
Architectural Masterpieces
Lever HouseBunshaft's breakthrough design was Lever House (1951-1952), a glass and steel skyscraper on Park Avenue in New York City. This 24-story "box" revolutionized skyscraper architecture and became a symbol of modernism.
One Chase Manhattan Plaza
In 1961, Bunshaft designed One Chase Manhattan Plaza, another iconic New York skyscraper. Standing at 828 feet, it was the 11th tallest building in the city and the 40th in the nation.
Other Notable Works
Bunshaft's prolific career included:Albright-Knox Art Gallery (1962) in Buffalo, New York
Beineke Library (1963) at Yale University
Marine Midland Building (1967) and Solow Building (1974) in Manhattan
Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum (1971) at the National Archives
Hirshhorn Museum (1974) in Washington, D.C.
Later Career and Legacy
Towards the end of his career, Bunshaft focused on projects in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, including the National Commercial Bank and the Haj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, designed in collaboration with Fazlur Khan.
Despite critiques that his designs emphasized sleek prisms, Bunshaft remained steadfast in his pursuit of architectural excellence, often stating, "I intend to keep on until I build one that entirely satisfies me."
