Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection
De Blois, Natalie, 1921-2013
Ms.2007.017
2.7 Cubic Feet
2 boxes and 7 oversize folders
1941-2013
The Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection includes correspondence; original notes; magazine/journal clippings; finished project photographs, published materials; sketches; water colors; and project records related to a sampling of de Blois' architectural projects.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection, Ms2007-017, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in November 2007.
Processing Information
A preliminary inventory of the Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection was completed in November 2007. The collection was fully processed and described in January 2012.
Biographical Note
Natalie de Blois was born in Paterson, New Jersey on April 2, 1921.
In 1944 de Blois graduated from Columbia University's architecture program and took her first professional job with the firm Ketchum, Gina & Sharp. In September of the same year de Blois was hired by the well known architecture firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Here she spent the majority of her professional career working closely with architect Gordon Bunshaft, earning notoriety within the architectural community as one of the top female architects in America.
Natalie de Blois is recognized for her work on a number of projects including, Lever House (NYC); Pepsi-Cola building (NYC); Union Carbide Corporation (NYC); Connecticut General Life Insurance (Hartford, CT); Lincoln Center (NYC); and the Hilton Hotel (Istanbul, Turkey).
After 30 years with SOM, she left to join the Houston firm of Neuhaus & Taylor as Senior Project Designer. As a working mother during the 1950's and 1960's de Blois was personally aware of the hardships and limitations faced by women in architecture, and in the 1970's she became active advocate for women in architecture joining the American Institute of Architects Task Force on Women, visiting architecture schools and talking to female students.
During the last thirteen years of her architecture career, de Blois taught at the University of Texas at Austin, retiring in 1993. Natalie de Blois practiced architecture for fifty years. de Blois died July 22, 2013.
Sources:
SOM Journal 4. Interview with Natalie de Blois by Detlef Mertins, June 17, 2004.
Natalie de Blois collection, Alexander Architectural Archives, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
Scope and Content
The Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection spans the years 1941 to 2013. Materials in the collection include correspondence; original notes; clippings; brochures; finished project photographs; published materials; sketches; watercolors; elevations; architectural renderings; contracts; specifications; and reports for 24 projects.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into two series: Series I Professional papers and Series II Project Records. The Project Records arrangement follows the organization of the 'Timeline of Projects' created by Nicholas Adams in consultation with Natalie de Blois in March of 2005.
Related Archival Materials
Natalie de Blois collection, Alexander Architectural Archives, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Architects
Architectural drawings (visual works)
Architectural drawing -- 20th century
History of Women in Architecture
International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
Women -- History
De Blois, Natalie, 1921-2013
Series I: Professional PapersBiographical Information2004, 20131AArticles featuring de Blois1950, 1959, 1977GlamourFebruary 195011NewsweekMay 4, 195912New York Times, "A retrospective of women master builders at work"February 25, 197712ClippingsArchitectural Forum, Profiles of SOM and Morris Ketchum, Jr.194213Architectural Forum, "SOM's details of distinction"June 196014Fortune, "The architects from Skid's Row"January 195822Frederick Kiesler1988, 1992, 200515Hospitals designed by SOM including VA Hospital, Brooklyn, NY1952, 195416Stuart Davis mural197517New York City Housing Authority, 10th Annual Report [de Blois' first project with SOM was drafting for the Abraham Lincoln housing project]194421State of Women Architects194118Letter of recommendation from Morris Kethum, Jr.194419Museum of Modern Art, Exhibits, SOM, Paul Klee1950110Series II: Project RecordsPartners Louis Skidmore and William S. Brown1943-1947New York State Building in Flushing Meadows for the first United Nations, General Assembly (New York, NY); Renovation (responsible for design drawings)1943-1947Clippings1946, 1950, 2001111Watercolors of General Assembly Chamber1946112Thomas Emery's Sons, Inc.; Terrace Plaza Hotel (Cincinnati, Ohio); overall design responsibilities Clippings1948-1949, 1989, 2008113Photographs114Design Partner Gordon Bunshaft1948-1951New York University Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, master plan with detailed studies for Institute for Rehabilitation, Residence Hall, and Alumni Center; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings1949, 1954115Ford Motor Company, Ford Properties, master plan with two office buildings, low-rise garage, service complex; (Dearborn, MI); responsible for low-rise facilities, senior designer -- Clippings, Model Photograph, Site Plan116Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, office and display room; (New York, NY) -- Clippings1948117Hilton Hotel, 300-room hotel; (Istanbul, Turkey), senior designer -- Clippings1953,1955, 1987118Lever Brothers Company, headquarters office building, worked directly with Bunshaft on design of plaza, lobby, cafeteria, and first three floors; (New York, NY) -- Clippings, Photograph (water damaged)1950, 1952, 2002119Design Partner Gordon Bunshaft (after the Fulbright Fellowship Prize in 1952; made participating associate in 1954)1952-1961Connecticut General Life Insurance, office building; (Bloomfield, CT), senior designer -- Clippings, Photograph1955-1958120Great Southern Life Insurance Company, office building; (Houston, TX), senior designer -- Photographs 121World's Fair, master plan proposal; terminated before completion; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings1960, 1964122Pepsico Inc., headquarters office building including interiors; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings, Project Records1956, 1959, undated 123Union Carbide Corporation, headquarters office building including interiors; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings, Promotional Material1960, 1962, 1989124Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Library and Museum for the Performing Arts (building design and coordination with adjacent Vivian Beaumont Theater); (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings, Photographs1959-2005125-26Emhart Corporation, administration and research building; (Bloomfield, CT), senior designer -- Clippings, Photographs1961, 1963127Design Partner Bruce Graham (Made associate partner in 1964)1962-1968Equitable Life Assurance, office building (Chicago,IL), senior designer -- Project Records, Clippings, Photographs, Drawings1962-1965, 197212845Horizon House Apartment Buildings, 520 units in two towers, Tishman Realty; (Fort Lee, NJ); senior designer -- Project Records, Clipping, Photograph, Drawings1964-1965, 19691293Boots Pure Drug Company, headquarters office building and interiors; (Nottingham, England), senior designer -- Project Records, Photographs1965130-317Hartford Fire Insurance Company, office building; (Hartford, CT), senior designer -- Project Records1960, 1965-1966132International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, headquarters office building; (Washington, D.C.), senior designer -- Project Records, Photographs, Drawings1966-1969, 1990133-342Dow Chemical Company, Site Development Design Guidelines including landscape, lighting, parking lots, architectural elements and graphics for 1,800-acre site report; (Freeland, MI), senior design -- Project Records1967-1968135Design partner Myron Goldsmith1969-1974Arthur Anderson & Company, Training Center for Professional Development, classrooms, dormitory and auditorium; (Elgin, IL), senior designer -- Project Records1972-1974136St. Joseph Valley Bank, headquarters bank and office building and interiors; (Elkhart, IN), senior designer -- Project Records1971-1974137Oliver-Tyrone Corporation, Diamond Shamrock, office building with commercial and parking facilities; (Cleveland, OH) -- Project Records, Drawings1970-19731381Oliver-Tyrone Corporation, Equibank, office building, bank, and garage; (Pittsburgh, PA), senior designer -- Project Records, Clippings, and Photograph1973-1974, 19781396BMA Tower Extension (Chicago, IL) -- Feasibility Study1969140Europoint-Rotterdam -- Memo1970141Signode Warehouse Addition -- Project Records1970142Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge Estate, transition to an executive office park (Morris County, NJ) -- Clippings, Photographs1978143