The Architectural Models of Theodore Conrad : The 'miniature Boom' of Mid-century Modernism

Based on the recent discovery of his fully-preserved private archive—models, photos, letters, business files, and drawings—this book tells the story of Theodore Conrad (1910—1994), the most prominent and prolific architectural model-maker of the 20th century. Conrad’s innovative models were instrumental in the design and realization of many icons of American Modernism—from the Rockefeller Center to Lever House and the Seagram Building. He revolutionized the production of architectural models and became a model-making entrepreneur in his own right. Yet, despite his success and the well-known buildings he helped to create, until now little has been known about Conrad’s work and his impact on 20th century architectural history. With exclusive access to Conrad’s archive, as well as that of model photographer Louis Checkman—both of which have lain undiscovered in private storage for decades—this book examines Conrad’s work and legacy, accompanied by case studies of his major commissions and full-color photographs of his works. Set against the backdrop of the surge in model-making in the 1950s and 1960s—which Jane Jacobs called “The Miniature Boom”—it explores how Conrad’s models prompt broader scholarly questions about the nature of authorship in architecture, the importance of craftsmanship, and about the translation of architectural ideas between different media. The book ultimately presents an alternative history of American modern architecture, highlighting the often-overlooked influence of architectural models and their makers. "Based on the recent discovery of his fully-preserved private archive - models, photos, letters, business files, and drawings - this book tells the story of Theodore Conrad (1910-1994), the most prominent and prolific architectural model-maker of the 20th century. Conrad's innovative models were instrumental in the design and realization of many icons of American Modernism - from the Rockefeller Center to Lever House and the Seagram Building. He revolutionized the production of architectural models and became a model-making entrepreneur in his own right. Yet, despite his success and the well-known buildings he helped to create, until now little has been known about Conrad's work and his impact on 20th century architectural history. With exclusive access to Conrad's archives, as well as those of model photographer Louis Checkman - both of which have lain undiscovered in private storage for decades - this book examines Conrad's work and legacy, accompanied by case studies of his major commissions and full-colour photographs of his works. Set against the backdrop of the surge in model-making in the 1950s and 1960s - which Jane Jacobs called 'The Miniature Boom' - it also explores how Conrad's models prompt broader scholarly questions about the nature of authorship in architecture, the importance of craftsmanship, and about the translation of architectural ideas between different media. The book ultimately presents an alternative history of American modern architecture, highlighting the often-overlooked influence of architectural models and their makers"-- Provided by publisher Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright page Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction The Dean of Models Objects in Their Own Right The Postwar Modeling Boom Editing Out 1 Architectural Model Making as a Profession From Ghostwriters to Co-authors A New Generation of Model Makers The Introduction of Large-Scale Modeling Operations Model Makers for the War Effort Industrialization and the Division of Labor Competition, Collaboration, and Co-authors Model Making and the Architect 2 Modeling Materials Model and Building Material Diversity in the 1920s Imitating Modern Architecture The Postwar Modeling Boom From Miniature Buildings to the Idea as Model 3 Model Drawings The Three-Dimensional Shift Translations and Gaps Drawing Models 4 Model Photography Realism Camera and Model Models, Photos, and Drawings Faking versus Honesty Photo Models The Magazine Era Model Photos in Architectural Practices 5 Model Displays Selling an Idea The Modeling Craze Architectural Exhibitions Interactive Displays Notes References Index