Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Sherrie A. Bowser, Archivist, and Dayne E. Mauney, Student Assistant
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2007.017
Title
Natalie de Blois Architectural Collection 1941-2013
Quantity
2.7 Cubic Feet, 2 boxes and 7 oversize folders
Creator
De Blois, Natalie, 1921-2013
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
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 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.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New York State Building in Flushing Meadows for the first United Nations, General Assembly (New York, NY); Renovation (responsible
for design drawings)
1943-1947
box-folder 1 folder: 11
Clippings
1946, 1950, 2001
box-folder 1 folder: 12
Watercolors of General Assembly Chamber
1946
Thomas Emery's Sons, Inc.; Terrace Plaza Hotel (Cincinnati, Ohio); overall design responsibilities
box-folder 1 folder: 13
Clippings
1948-1949, 1989, 2008
box-folder 1 folder: 14
Photographs
Design Partner Gordon Bunshaft
1948-1951
box-folder 1 folder: 15
New 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 -- Clippings
1949, 1954
box-folder 1 folder: 16
Ford 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 Plan
box-folder 1 folder: 17
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, office and display room; (New York, NY) -- Clippings
Lever 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, 2002
Design Partner Gordon Bunshaft (after the Fulbright Fellowship Prize in 1952; made participating associate in 1954)
1952-1961
box-folder 1 folder: 20
Connecticut General Life Insurance, office building; (Bloomfield, CT), senior designer -- Clippings, Photograph
1955-1958
box-folder 1 folder: 21
Great Southern Life Insurance Company, office building; (Houston, TX), senior designer -- Photographs
box-folder 1 folder: 22
World's Fair, master plan proposal; terminated before completion; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings
1960, 1964
box-folder 1 folder: 23
Pepsico Inc., headquarters office building including interiors; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings, Project Records
1956, 1959, undated
box-folder 1 folder: 24
Union Carbide Corporation, headquarters office building including interiors; (New York, NY), senior designer -- Clippings,
Promotional Material
1960, 1962, 1989
box-folder 1 folder: 25-26
Lincoln 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, Photographs
1959-2005
box-folder 1 folder: 27
Emhart Corporation, administration and research building; (Bloomfield, CT), senior designer -- Clippings, Photographs
1961, 1963
Design Partner Bruce Graham (Made associate partner in 1964)
Equitable Life Assurance, office building (Chicago,IL), senior designer -- Project Records, Clippings, Photographs, Drawings
1962-1965, 1972
box-folder 1 folder: 29 oversize folder: 3
Horizon House Apartment Buildings, 520 units in two towers, Tishman Realty; (Fort Lee, NJ); senior designer -- Project Records,
Clipping, Photograph, Drawings
1964-1965, 1969
box-folder 1 folder: 30-31 oversize folder: 7
Boots Pure Drug Company, headquarters office building and interiors; (Nottingham, England), senior designer -- Project Records,
Photographs
1965
box-folder 1 folder: 32
Hartford Fire Insurance Company, office building; (Hartford, CT), senior designer -- Project Records
1960, 1965-1966
box-folder 1 folder: 33-34 oversize folder: 2
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, headquarters office building; (Washington, D.C.), senior
designer -- Project Records, Photographs, Drawings
1966-1969, 1990
box-folder 1 folder: 35
Dow 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 Records
1967-1968
Design partner Myron Goldsmith
1969-1974
box-folder 1 folder: 36
Arthur Anderson & Company, Training Center for Professional Development, classrooms, dormitory and auditorium; (Elgin, IL),
senior designer -- Project Records
1972-1974
box-folder 1 folder: 37
St. Joseph Valley Bank, headquarters bank and office building and interiors; (Elkhart, IN), senior designer -- Project Records
1971-1974
box-folder 1 folder: 38 oversize folder: 1
Oliver-Tyrone Corporation, Diamond Shamrock, office building with commercial and parking facilities; (Cleveland, OH) -- Project
Records, Drawings
1970-1973
box-folder 1 folder: 39 oversize folder: 6
Oliver-Tyrone Corporation, Equibank, office building, bank, and garage; (Pittsburgh, PA), senior designer -- Project Records,
Clippings, and Photograph
1973-1974, 1978
box-folder 1 folder: 40
BMA Tower Extension (Chicago, IL) -- Feasibility Study
1969
box-folder 1 folder: 41
Europoint-Rotterdam -- Memo
1970
box-folder 1 folder: 42
Signode Warehouse Addition -- Project Records
1970
box-folder 1 folder: 43
Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge Estate, transition to an executive office park (Morris County, NJ) -- Clippings, Photographs
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