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For more than twenty years, the Chicago Architects Oral History Project documented the contributions of architects to Chicago during the 20th century. The CAOHP was begun in 1983 under the auspices of the Art Institute's Department of Architecture to record the life experiences of architects who shaped the physical environment in Chicago and surrounding communities. It was intended not only to fill an existing void in the literature but to go beyond the facts to explore motivations and influences, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections. This collection of oral histories contains comprehensive life-review documents as well as shorter, focused interviews. These narratives explore the development of Chicago's architecture and planning from the early 1900s to the present day.
Included in the collection are Skidmore, Owings & Merrill partners and associates, students and colleagues of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, members of the Chicago Seven, principals of second- and third-generation architectural and engineering firms, and architects who defy classification. The work described in these interviews ranges from suburban homes to urban skyscrapers to institutional and public buildings and beyond. Most of the oral histories also provide a perspective on American architectural education, especially the influences of the Beaux-Arts and Bauhaus curricula. In addition, many of the interviewees speak of important collaborations with internationally renowned artists and architects on projects in Chicago and throughout the world.
Transcriptions of the complete oral histories are available in PDF format on the individual architects' pages (see links below). A master index of names and buildings is also available for reference to the complete collection. This index compiles all proper names and buildings mentioned in each interview and is available as a PDF file on this site. The index may also be consulted in hardcopy in the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries.
CAOHP Collection
 Contains video clips.
Master Index of Names and Buildings (PDF, 683K)
A detailed description of the interview and transcription process can be found on our general information page. A full text of each interview is available as a PDF file from this site. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view the PDF document. Copyright to these oral histories is held by The Art Institute of Chicago and publication permission is administered by the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute.
Hard-copy transcripts may be consulted at the following institutions:
The Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at The Art Institute of Chicago -- complete collection
Chicago History Museum -- partial collection
Canadian Centre for Architecture -- partial collection
Major support for the Chicago Architects Oral History Project was provided by grants from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, with additional funding from the Canadian Centre for Architecture/Centre Canadien d'Architecture.Additional support for the electronic presentation of selected transcripts was provided by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council; and by the generous support of The Vernon and Marcia Wagner Access Fund at The Art Institute of Chicago, The James & Catherine Haveman Foundation, The Reva and David Logan Family Fund of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, and Daniel Logan and The Reva and David Logan Foundation.
About the Chicago Architects Oral History Project
Department of Architecture and Design • Ryerson & Burnham Archives
Send questions or comments to:
Ryerson & Burnham Archives, Chicago Architects Oral History Project
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