James Polshek | |
|---|---|
 Polshek in October 2019 | |
| Born | James Stewart Polshek (1930-02-11)February 11, 1930 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 2022(2022-09-09) (aged 92) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards |
|
| Practice | Polshek Partnership, nowEnnead Architects |
| Buildings | William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center,Rose Center for Earth and Space,Newseum |
James Stewart Polshek (February 11, 1930 – September 9, 2022) was an American architect based in New York City. He was the founder of Polshek Partnership, the firm at which he was the principal design partner for more than four decades. He worked as design counsel to the legacy firmEnnead Architects, as well as being actively engaged as design lead on multiple projects.[1]
Polshek was born inAkron, Ohio, on February 11, 1930. His father, Max, was the owner of anarmy-navy store; his mother, Pearl (Beyer), was a housewife.[2] Polshek initially intended to study medicine, enrolling inpremed atCase Western Reserve University'sAdelbert College in 1947. He began taking a variety of courses, including a course on the history ofmodern architecture. After deciding to study architecture, he transferred toYale University in 1950 and studied underLouis Kahn, graduating five years later with aMaster of Architecture degree.[2][3] He was also aFulbright/Hayes fellow inCopenhagen,[2] and received several grants from the Graham Foundation.[4] After Polshek became dean ofColumbia University'sGraduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation in 1973,Western Reserve University granted hisBachelor of Science degree in 1973, forgiving the eight credits he was short.[3]
Polshek first worked forI. M. Pei,Ulrich Franzen, and other architects,[5] before establishing his firm – James Stewart Polshek Architect – in 1963. Some of the first projects he worked on were two research facilities in Japan, as well as collaborating withWalfredo Toscanini to design aMidtown Manhattan community center. The majority of his firm's projects were in the United States, with many inNew York City. These included theEd Sullivan Theater,Seamen's Church Institute at theSouth Street Seaport,Sulzberger Hall atBarnard College, the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Residence Tower atNew York University, and the refurbishment ofCarnegie Hall.[2] Polshek became the dean of theGraduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation atColumbia University in 1973, serving in that capacity until 1987.[2][6] Under his leadership, the curriculum was revised and extended to encompass urban planning, real estate, and historic preservation.[2] Polshek was unusual among top-tier architects for taking the position that architecture is more craft than fine art and that architects have some measure of social responsibility.[7]
In 2003, Polshek served as an architectural adviser to the selection committee that choseSANAA as architects for theNew Museum building.[8]
After retiring from his firm's partnership in 2005, Polshek maintained the title of design counsel to Ennead Architects (the new name of that firm).[9] He served as the architect commissioner on the NYC Design Commission during the mid-2010s.[10] His book,Build, Memory, was published in April 2014 by Monacelli Press.[11]
Polshek married Ellyn Margolis in 1952. Together, they had two children: Peter and Jennifer.[2] He maintained an apartment in Paris during his later years.[12]
Polshek died on September 9, 2022, at his home inManhattan. He was 92 and suffered fromkidney disease before his death.[2]
Polshek was aFellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), and the 2018 recipient of the organization's highest honor, theAIA Gold Medal.[9][13] He earlier received the Gold Medal award from the New York City chapter of theAmerican Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1986.[4] In 2002, he was honored with theMunicipal Art Society's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal,[14] and was inducted into theAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences.[15] Three years later, he was elected to theAmerican Academy of Arts and Letters.[16]
Polshek receivedhonorary degrees fromPratt Institute (1995), the New School UniversityParsons School of Design (1999), theNew Jersey Institute of Technology (2002), andColumbia University (2022).[17][18]
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