Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Dorothy Alexander Architectural Collection
Alexander, Dorothy Baxter
Ms.2008.089
3.1 Cubic Feet
15 boxes
1939-1994
Dorothy Alexander was educated at the McGill University Architectural School in Montreal. She worked for several firms including Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons Architects before starting her own firm in 1961. The collection consists primarily of drawings, sketches, and building specifications for buildings designed by the architect Dorothy Alexander. Projects include remodeling work for the Arriflex Corporation, Lowel-Light Manufacturing, as well as several houses designed and built in California.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to 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], Dorothy Alexander Architecture Collection, Ms2008-089, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Dorothy Alexander Architecture Collection was donated to the IAWA here in Special Collections in 2008.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the Dorothy Alexander Collection began in October 2008 and was completed in December 2008. Additional materials were added in June 2012.
Biographical Note
Dorothy
Dusty Baxter Alexander was educated at the McGill University Architectural School in Montreal. She started work for the architect, John Carl Warnecke in February, 1955. She later worked for the firm Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons before starting her own firm in April of 1961. Her architectural credits include commercial remodelling for the Arriflex Corporation, Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Panavision and the Jack Tilton Gallery. She has also done restoration work on housing, as well as, designed houses and duplexes in the San Francisco area. Alexander also works as a photographer. In 1981, Alexander became a staff photographer for
Skyline, the magazine for the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies. During the 1980s through the early 1990s, she worked as a photographer for The Writer's Voice, The Academy of American Poets, West Side Spirit, and the Toronto Globe & Mail. Since the late 1980s Alexander worked as a photographer for Oculus, the magazine for the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.Alexander's photographs have been the subjects of numerous exhibitions in New York. They focus on urban landscapes, street portraits, and some abstract work. Her work is in the main collections at the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of Alexander's works as an architect. This includes building plans and specifications for work done for the Arriflex Corporation, Lowel-Light Manufacturing, and the Jack Tilton Gallery, as well as many other projects. The collection also includes blueprints for building designed by Alexander while working for the architectural firms of Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons Architects and James Baker and Peter Blake Architects. Other materials include a curriculum vitae, correspondence, and an article about Alexander published in the San Francisco Examiner.
Arrangement
The collection is separated into two series. Series I consists of biographical materials and drawings done by Dorothy Alexander as an independent architect. Series II consists of blueprints drawn by Dorothy Alexander while working for other firms. Drawings and other materials are arranged in chronological order.
Related Archival Material
See also the Dorothy Alexander Photographs, 1974 (0.1 cu. ft.) in IAWA Small Collections Ms2009-054.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Dorothy Alexander Architecture Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
Women -- History
Biographical Information and Independent Projects1939-1994Biographical Materials and PublicationsBiographical Information,1964-19671 5The Liveable City, October 1989, Number 12/2 (Contains photographs by Alexander)1Exhibition Poster (Gotham Book Mart Gallery),1995?1Sinsheimer House,August 1939-May31, 19632Grover House,July 1954 - August 14, 19642Grover House - Correspondence,October 16, 1961-November 28, 19611 1Alexander House/Office,June 17, 1957-January 2, 19632Alexander House,undated1 8Calhoun House,September 23, 1958-April 28, 19672Beach House,September 3, 1959 - May 26, 19643Beach House,June 18, 19641 3Cannery Row,July 28, 19613Breck Street Properties,August 11, 1961 - September 5, 19612Sinsheimer Olive Street Apartments - Phase I,December 11, 1961 - July 1, 19623Views Land Company,January 28, 1962 - May 9, 19634106b Second Street,January 28, 1962 - May 9, 1963499 and 101 Marion Avenue,June 19, 19624103 and 105 Marion Avenue,June 19, 19624118 A and B West Street,May 8, 19624Bennett Valley - Job 160,undated4Unidentified Views Land Company Projects5Wright House,May 2, 1962 - September 10, 19645House 223 and 224 Sausalito Bay Land Company,May 26, 1962 - March 26, 19635Jacobsen House,June 2-8, 19621 2Robbins House,June 3, 1962 - April 30, 19645Sinsheimer Olive Street Apartments - Phase II,November 5, 1962 - February 20, 19636Bowen House,November 16, 1962 - May 12, 19646Bowen House,undated1 6Martinez House,March 22, 1963 - June 13, 19636Daniels House,April 11, 1963 - July 9, 19636Houses at 512, 514, and 516 South Street,June 18, 19637Shaffner House,July 24, 1963 - December 29, 19687Shaffner House,July 10, 1964-January 26, 19951 4Schlesinger House,October 10, 1963 - June 16, 19657Godfrey House,February 21, 19648Farrow House,September 25, 1964 - October 29, 19648Radio Station KPFA,June 11, 1966 - June 11, 19678Steiner Office,October 19668Sinsheimer Brothers Annex,January 18-28, 19678Tony Smith Cigarette,March 24, 19678Forman House,May 9, 19678Goberman House,August 7, 19749Lowell-Light Manufacturing,October 29, 1979 - January 8, 19809Arriflex Corporation,June 9, 1980 - May 27, 19979Tilton Gallery,September 17, 1985 - February 28, 19909Arriflex Corporation at the Camera Service Center,April 27, 1987 - April 27, 199410Lowell Family Addition,undated11Shean House,undated11Unidentified Sketches and Drawings,undated11Second Street Studies,undated1 7Other Architectural Firms,1959-1968Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons Architects:New Family Quarters for Point Reyes Light Station,September 3, 195912F.M. Transmitter Building for Crocker Land Company,May 16-24, 196013Building for Mason Wells and Frank Hamilton,October 17, 196014James Baker and Peter Blake Architects:Eckstein Residence,May 13, 196815