The Architectural Models of Theodore Conrad: The "miniature boom" of mid-century modernism

(Paperback)

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Based on the recent discovery of his fully-preserved private archivemodels, photos, letters, business files, and drawingsthis book tells the story of Theodore Conrad (1910-1994), the most prominent and prolific architectural model-maker of the 20th century. Conrads innovative models were instrumental in the design and realization of many icons of American Modernismfrom 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 Conrads work and his impact on 20th century architectural history. With exclusive access to Conrads archive, as well as that of model photographer Louis Checkmanboth of which have lain undiscovered in private storage for decadesthis book examines Conrads 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 1960swhich Jane Jacobs called The Miniature Boomit explores how Conrads 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.

Reviews

[The Architectural Models of Theodore Conrad] accentuate[s] the importance of model makers in the process of making a architecture ... and is recommended for people interested in the practice of architecture in the middle of last century. * A Daily Dose of Architecture Books *
Taking the "miniature boom" and the lifes work of the model maker Theodore Conrad as a cue, this book lucidly illuminates how the ascent of the architectural model to the dominant representational media went hand in hand with the establishment of the International Style as the new lingua franca at mid-century. Teresa Fankhnel makes a compelling argument for how fundamentally material and technological innovation on the scale of the miniature would shape the image of New York City the in the postwar period. * Martino Stierli, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art, New York *
Fankhnel pulls back the curtain in the theater of American modernist architecture to reveal the behind the scenes contributions of the star performer of a novel career path: the professional model maker. Theodore Conrad not only made models he helped make careers with miniatures that could win over clients, dazzle exhibition goers, and sit for camera portraits that would travel the world in newspaper and magazine illustrations. A glimpse behind the scenes offers a whole new vantage point on the culture of mid-20th century architecture at nearly every scale. * Barry Bergdoll, Meyer Schapiro Professor of Art History, Columbia University *
This seminal study presents so much more than a man and his models. It captures a unique system of design methods, which produced a strong argument for the use of models based on the re-invention of their tactile and photogenic qualities. Theodore Conrad was a midwife for the architects ideas, not merely a craftsman. Teresa Fankhnel unlocked his Wunderkammer in a Jersey City basement. Its discovery and preservation for future research alone is a momentous accomplishment. * Oliver Elser, Curator, Deutsches Architekturmuseum *
A rare look at model-makers and their photographers who translated signature elements of modern design into models and became an integral and powerful part of the architects arsenal to win clients and gain exposure through publications and exhibitions. Engaging, well-illustrated, a must-read for architecture fans. * Janet Parks, retired, Curator of Drawings and Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University *

Author Bio

Teresa Fankhnel is a curator at the Architekturmuseum der TUM in Munich, Germany.