Gordon Bunshaft

Gordon Bunshaft
(1909 - 1990)
American Architect

Gordon Bunshaft was born in Buffalo, New York in 1909. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Masters in Architecture. He then travelled through Europe and North Africa on two separate travelling fellowships. Upon returning to the U. S., he obtained a position as the Chief Designer at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. He has been a partner with the firm since 1949.

Bunshaft influenced American corporate and industrial architecture through his successful efforts to create an identifiable and respectful architectural identity for his clients. He persuaded corporations that contemporary American Architecture could serve as a signature.

Bunshaft generated buildings of contemporary classicism. He avoided fashion and concentrated on discipline and functional solutions that produce a unified design. In his work, he particularly emphasized the use of artwork, interior detailing and furnishing as a major feature of each building. ]

Bunshaft designed at a time when contemporary American architects were frantically searching for new architectural principles. Although somewhat conservative, his recent buildings have employed more daring and adventuresome forms and structures. As a leading architect of his time, Bunshaft contributed classical, well-reasoned compositions.

Source: www.greatbuildings.com