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Harrison & Abramovitz

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Harrison & Abramovitz
Company typePrivate company
IndustryArchitecture
Founded1941
FounderWallace Harrison
J. André Fouilhoux
Max Abramovitz
Defunct1976
HeadquartersNew York, New York

Harrison & Abramovitz (also known as Harrison, Fouilhoux & Abramovitz; Harrison, Abramovitz, & Abbe; and Harrison, Abramovitz, & Harris) was an American architectural firm based in New York and active from 1941 through 1976. The firm was a partnership of Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz.

History

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The firm, founded in 1941 by Wallace Harrison (1895–1981),[1] J. André Fouilhoux (1879–1945),[2] Max Abramovitz (1908–2004),[3] was best known for modernist corporate towers on the East coast and Midwestern cities. Most are straightforward. One notable stylistic innovation was the use of stamped metal panels on the facade, first at the 1953 Alcoa Building in Pittsburgh, and repeated at the 1953 Republic Center Tower I in Dallas and the 1956 former Socony–Mobil Building at 150 East 42nd Street in New York City.[4][5]

The firm's first significant project was the United Nations headquarters in New York City (1947–52).[6]

Both Harrison and Abramovitz were design architects and worked independently. Some projects are clearly attributable to one or the other: for instance the buildings at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Abramovitz's alma mater, are his designs. Harrison's work at the Empire State Plaza "commanded his attention almost exclusively" for 15 years, from 1962 through 1976,[7] which implies the other work of the partnership in that period is primarily attributable to Abramovitz. After 1976 Abramovitz partnered with others.

Also known by

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The firm was also known as Harrison, Fouilhoux & Abramovitz from 1941 through Fouilhoux's death in 1945, then as Harrison, Abramovitz, & Abbe, and finally as Harrison, Abramovitz, & Harris.

Works

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The firm's credits include:

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References

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  1. ^ Eve M. Kahn (May 8, 2014), A Glimpse of Léger, a Good Look at Lalique The New York Times.
  2. ^ Emanuel, Muriel (2016-01-23). Contemporary Architects. Springer. ISBN 9781349041848. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  3. ^ Kennedy, Randy (15 September 2004). "Max Abramovitz, 96, Architect of Avery Fisher Hall, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  4. ^ New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; Dolkart, Andrew S.; Postal, Matthew A. (2009). Postal, Matthew A. (ed.). Guide to New York City Landmarks (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-470-28963-1.
  5. ^ "Harrison & Abramovitz". CTBUH Skyscraper Center.
  6. ^ "Building Brandeis: Style and Function of a University". Brandeis University. Brandeis University. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  7. ^ Newhouse, Victoria. Wallace K. Harrison, Architect. New York: Rizzoli, 1989.
  8. ^ Sterbenk, Yvette. "Corning Museum of Glass Unveils Plans for $64 Million Expansion". June 6, 2012. Corning Museum of Glass. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  9. ^ Bernstein, Gerald S (1999). Building & Campus: An Architectural Celebration of Brandeis University 50th Anniversary. Brandeis University Office of Publications. pp. 7, 32, 33, 36, 39, 56, 57. ISBN 0-9620545-1-8.
  10. ^ A designated New York City Landmark. For designation report, see: Postal, Matthew A. Springs Mills Building, Manhattan Archived 2017-02-10 at the Wayback Machine, April 13, 2010.
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