Additional Louis J. Halle, Jr. Papers Jul-Aug 1948

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This seven-item addition to the papers of Louis J. Halle, Jr., July-August 1948, consists of two copies of a memorandum prepared by Halle for Mr. Walter A. Taylor, Director of the Department of Education and Research, The American Institute of Architects, and related correspondence, concerning the effects of the architecture of public buildings on government personnel and the public.

Louis J. Halle, Jr.'s memorandum unfavorably compares the architecture of the then new State Departmentbuilding with the "Old State Department" building across the lane from the White House. According to Halle, the "Old State Department" building embodied the democratic ideal of the closeness of government officials to the people, while the new State Departmentbuilding was designed to isolate top officials from any contact with the rank and file of the Department or the common people.

Based upon Winston Churchill's admonition that "We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us," Louis Hallewarns American architects not to indulge in inappropriate architectural pretentiousness just because it is the current fashion.

The correspondence was generated by State Departmentpersonnel in response to Walter Taylor's request to quote Louis J. Halle's memorandum, which they considered inadvisable.

Acquisition information:
This addition to the Louis J. Halle, Jr. Papers was given to the Library by Kenneth W. Thompson , Director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia , on July 20, 1987 .
Physical location: