King, Dorothee Stelzer, Architectural Collection A Guide to the Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection,1950-2008 Ms.2013.023

A Guide to the Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection,1950-2008 Ms.2013.023


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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, updated by Shu Pan

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2013.023
Title
Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection 1950-2018
Quantity
6.48 Cubic Feet, 5 boxes; 6 oversize folders
Creator
King, Dorothée
Language
Material is in English and German.
Abstract
Born in Berlin, Germany. Dorothee Stelzer King is an architect and professor who has practiced in Germany, the United States, and the Bahamas. The collection consists of material (drawings, presentation boards, photographs, and printed material) created and accumulated by King as a student and during her professional career. Some examples include: her award-winning student project of creating a flexible and transportable exhibition hall and her project work for the Government of the Bahamas. Materials in this collection range in date from 1950-2008.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection Ms2013-023, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in December 2008.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dorothee Stelzer King Architectural Collection was completed in May 2013. Additional donations processed in September 2021.


Biographical Note

Born in Berlin, Germany. King is an architect and professor who has practiced in Germany, the United States, and the Bahamas. She graduated from the Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste (HBK) with the title 'Diplom Architect HBK Berlin' in 1962. Upon graduating from HBK she worked for two years (1962-1964) in the architectural office of Dipl. Ing. Hilde Westrom , one of the few independently working women architects in Berlin. King would go on to receive the Airlift Memorial Scholarship and Fulbright Travel Grant allowing her to study under Louis I. Kahn in his Master Studio at the University of Pennsylvania (1965-1967). Her experiences with Kahn would greatly influence her own style of teaching at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture (1969-1981) and other organizations.

King and her husband, fellow architect Douglas King, were offered the opportunity to work as architects with the Government of the Bahamas in Nassau (1981-1985). There she primarily worked on projects for the Ministries of Health and Housing including: public rental units with a senior citizen complex, design for a high school library in Cooperstown, and as project architect and head construction supervisor for the Bahamas Nursing School. 1985-1991 saw King commuting between New York, Nassau, and Florida as she finished supervising the Bahamas Nursing School and partnered with her husband on a design-build company called Kingston Homes in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shortly after returning to New York full-time (1991) King began teaching at several New York institutions and public schools within the city (1993-2008).

Scope and Content

The collection consists of material created and accumulated by King during the course of her days as a student and her professional career. This material primarily comprises drawings, presentation boards, photographs, and printed material related to various design projects undertaken by King during the time period 1957 to 1988. Also included within the collection is a detailed biographical narrative written by King describing the trajectory of her career and a family history and genealogy titled "From the Basilius, Gersdorff and Horn Families to the King, Kruppa and Stelzer Families ", also written by King.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Architects
  • Architectural drawings (visual works)
  • Architecture (discipline)
  • International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
  • Women -- History

Container List

Personal Papers
1950-2008
Scope and Contents

This subseries consists of Dorothee S. King's personal documents, school reports, drawings, and notes on projects relating to her at Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste (HBK) and the University of Pennsylvania.

  • box-folder 1 folder: 1
    Biographical narrative
    2008
  • box-folder 1 folder: 2
    Certificates, Awards, Diplomas, etc.
    1950-1976
  • box-folder 1 folder: 3
    Family history and genealogy, "From the Basilius, Gersdorff and Horn Families to the King, Kruppa and Stelzer Families ", written by Dorothee Stelzer King
    2007
  • box-folder 1 folder: 4
    Photograph, Dorothee S. King
    c.1980
  • box-folder 1 folder: 5
    Scholarships [applications, correspondence, award, and recommendations]
    1964
  • Student Projects
    1957-1974
    • box-folder 1 folder: 6 oversize folder: 3
      Austellungbau Variabel-Tranportabel [Exhibition Hall Flexible -Transportable], HDK Berlin
      1962
      Scope and Content

      Materials present include a project description, 2 model photographs, 1 set of photographic reductions of the model, 1 set of slides of the drawings and model, along with a publication "ars viva 62" featuring the project. Drawings include: 7 original ink drawings on board and transparent paper and 2 blueprints.

    • oversize folder: 3
      Ferienhaus in Muggelheim [vacation cottage]
      1957
      Scope and Content

      2 original ink drawings on board and transparent paper.

    • oversize folder: 3
      Reihenhaus [rowhouses]
      1958
      Scope and Content

      9 original ink drawings in transparent paper.

    • oversize folder: 3
      Trauerhalle/Kapelle [chapel]
      1959
      Scope and Content

      7 original ink drawings on transparent paper.

    • box-folder 1 folder: 7
      Various Projects, HDK Berlin
      1960-1962
    • box-folder 5 folder: 1
      Portfolio of Design Projects: Allen Lane Arts Center and a Monastery at a Desert Site in Arizona
      1965
    • box-folder 5 folder: 2
      Loose Leaf Notebook with Course Notes
      1973-1974
    • box-folder 5 folder: 3
      Sketches and Notebooks Related to Course Work With Edmund Bacon and Other Works at University of Pennsylvania,
      1965
    • box-folder 5 folder: 4
      Notebooks, Sketchbooks, and Sketches
      1965
    • box-folder 5 folder: 5
      2 Original Pencil Travel Sketches
      1965
    • box-folder 3 folder: 1
      Notes for the final Oral Presentation for the Professional Degree "Diploma Architect HBK Berlin
      1962
    • box-folder 3 folder: 2
      Note books from Classwork in History of Architecture at Hochschule der Kuenste, Berlin (Architecture School)
      1962
    • box-folder 3 folder: 3
      Presentation at Hochschule der Kuenste, Berlin (Architecture School) on Eygpt: History, the country, Myths, Architecture, Temples, the Nile, Pyramids, and Interrelationships.
      1962
    • box-folder 3 folder: 4
      Airlift Memorial Scholarship: Letters of Recommendation
      1963German.
    • box-folder 3 folder: 5
      Materials related to a course work with Edmund Bacon on Priene
      1965
Publications
1981, n.d.
  • box-folder 1 folder: 8
    Alliance for Women in Architecture
    1981, n.d.
Project Records
1971-1988
  • Bahamas Nursing School, Nassau, Bahamas
    1983-1988
    • box-folder 1 folder: 9
      Project description
      1985-1987
    • box-folder 1 folder: 10
      Concept sketches
      1985-1987
    • box-folder 1 folder: 11
      Contract with the Ministry of Finance, Invoices
      1985-1987
    • Drawings
      • oversize folder: 6
        Blue print copy at 1/4" scale of detailed furniture and equipment layouts for main lecture hall, library, and commons
      • oversize folder: 6
        Blue print copy at actual drawing size of the architectural drawings: title sheet plus A-1 thru A-35
      • oversize folder: 6
        Hand colored blue print copy showing landscaping at actual drawing size of architectural drawing A-1: Site and Location Plan
      • oversize folder: 6
        Maps and land drawings
      • oversize folder: 4
        Original presentation drawings - ink on vellum
      • oversize folder: 4
        Pencil and ink sketches and line drawings used to prepare the final presentation drawings
      • oversize folder: 1
        Photo-static copies at 1/2 original drawings scale of the architectural drawings A-1 thru A-35
    • box-folder 1 folder: 12
      Landscape
      1986-1987
    • box-folder 1 folder: 13
      Material and color samples, light fixture schedule, signage, room finishes
      1985-1987
    • box-folder 1 folder: 14
      Memorandums and Correspondence
      1982-1987
    • box 2
      Model, study model in chipboard
    • box-folder 1 folder: 15
      Opening ceremony
      June 16, 1987
    • box-folder 1 folder: 16
      Opening program and press clippings
      1986-1987
    • box-folder 1 folder: 17
      Overall program, office management, building program, list of drawings
      1981-1984
    • Photographs
      1985-1988
      • box-folder 1 folder: 18
        Negatives, completed building and opening ceremony
        1987-1988
      • oversize folder: 1
        Negatives, original presentation drawings
      • box-folder 1 folder: 19
        Photographs of completed project
        1985-1987
      • box-folder 1 folder: 20-24
        Progress photographs (5 folders)
        January 1986-April 1987
  • oversize folder: 2
    Cottage on Rose Island, Bahamas
    1988
    Scope and Content

    2 hand colored presentation drawings on prints.

    3 original construction drawings, pencil on vellum.

  • Daylite Apartments Physical Survey and Proposal, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
    1980
    • box-folder 1 folder: 25
      Project report
      May 1980
  • Library and Administrative Building Coopers Town High School, Abaco, Bahamas
    1983
    • box-folder 1 folder: 26
      Project description
      1983
    • oversize folder: 5
      Drawings: blue print copy at actual drawing size of the architectural drawings: title sheet plus drawings 1-13
    • oversize folder: 2
      Drawings: pencil on vellum Drawing 2 showing preliminary plan layout, elevations and sections at 1/8"= 1'-0"
  • oversize folder: 2
    Townhouse Renovation, King Residence, New York, NY
    1971
    Scope and Content

    2 hand colored original presentation drawings on board.

  • Sutton Street Public Rental Housing Grants Town Urban Improvement Project, Nassau, Bahamas
    1983
    • box-folder 1 folder: 27
      Project description
      1983
    • oversize folder: 5
      Drawings: blue print copy at actual drawing size of prototype 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom townhouse units -- drawings 1-11.
    • oversize folder: 5
      Drawings: blue print copy at actual drawings size of Sutton Street Public rental units - site plan and sanitary waste plan. [Note: this project utilizes the prototype 3 and 4 bedroom townhouse units above.]
    • oversize folder: 2
      Drawings: pencil line axonometric drawings on yellow tracing paper and vellum of Sutton Street public rental units
    • box-folder 1 folder: 28
      Nassau, Bahamas Ministry of Housing Specifications
      1983
    • box-folder 1 folder: 29
      Photographs of completed project
      1983
Professional Papers
1980-1989, 2014
  • Archaeological Work at Nassau, Bahama, 1980-1988
    • oversize folder: 7
      Archaeological Work in the Bahamas
      1980-1985
      Scope and Contents

      Tusculum Plantation, New Providence, Bahamas Illustrations - Recorded and Drawn by Dorothee Stelzer King

      Figure Number Followed by Subject and Description 1.1 Map of the Bahamas 1.2 Map of New Providence; Tusculum is located on the northwest coastline 3.1 Map pre-dating recent subdivisions that occurred circa 1985. The map shows the Tusculum site located on the northern coastline of New Providence and its relationship to adjacent areas and topography. A curved road leads to the ruin complex situated at the top of the ridge 3.3 Cross section of the Gambier Ridge at the Tusculum site 3.8 Site plan of the Ruin Complex showing Ruin A on the summit of the ridge, and the locations Ruins B, C, D and F. Also shown are three wells and the old roadway in dotted lines 3.10 Ruin A: Axonometric View as it appeared at the time of the survey. The north facade with the entrance and the north terrace are in the foreground 3.25 Ruin A: Wall Plan at the time of the survey. 3.26 Ruin A: North-South Section through the Ruin 3.27 Ruin A: North Elevation 3.28 Ruin A: South Elevation 3.29 Ruin A: East Elevation 3.30 Ruin A: West Elevation 3.31 Ruin A: Typical Wall Section with Window Opening 3.32 Ruin A: Typical Wall Section through Cellar Window 3.34 Ruin B: Axonometric View of the Ruin at the time of the survey. In the foreground, attached to the eastern wall, is a small addition. The wall shown collapsed and faces Ruin A. 3.35 Ruin B: Wall Plan 3.36 Ruin B: West Elevation 3.37 Ruin B: East Elevation 3.38 Ruin B: North Elevation 3.39 Ruin B: South Elevation 3.40 Ruin C: Axonometric View of the Ruin at the time of the survey. The front elevation with three doors and a window faces east and the Main House, Ruin A. In the foreground, to the right, are the remains of the fireplace. The rear wall, to the west, has collapsed to its foundations. 3.41 Ruin C: Wall Plan 3.42 Ruin C: North Elevation 3.43 Ruin C: South Elevation 3.44 Ruin C: East Elevation 3.45 Ruin C: West Elevation

    • box-folder 3 folder: 7
      Description and Report of Archaeology in the Bahamas
      1982-1983
    • box-folder 3 folder: 8
      Tusculum Plantation
      1984-1986
    • box-folder 3 folder: 9
      Site Excavations Notes, Lecture and Course Notes
      1982-1988
  • Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas,1980-1985, 2014
    • box-folder 3 folder: 10
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.1/7, April 2014
      2014-04
      Scope and Contents

      One copy of description and a documentation report titled"Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas," April 2014

    • box-folder 3 folder: 11
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.2/7
      2014-04
      Scope and Contents

      Original report, printed text with hand drawn icon diagrams for the documentation report "Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas"

    • box-folder 3 folder: 12
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.3/7
      2014
      Scope and Contents

      Original report drawings on transparent paper of houses(site plans, floor plans, sections and elevations) for the documentation report "Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas".

    • box-folder 5 folder: 6
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.4/7
      2014
      Scope and Contents

      Hand written notes and first hard line draft drawings for the documentation report "Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas"

      Original field notes, sketches and resident interviews(1983-1984) for the documentation report "Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas."

    • box-folder 3 folder: 13
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.5/7
      2014
      Scope and Contents

      Original field notes, sketches and resident interviews(1983-1984) for the documentation report "Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas."

    • box-folder 3 folder: 14
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.6/7
      2014
      Scope and Contents

      Photographic negatives of houses analyzed for the documentation report "Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas"

    • box-folder 3 folder: 15
      Study of Ten Small Houses in Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas, Vol.7/7
      2014
      Scope and Contents

      Corespendence and meeting records, 1980-1985

Faculty Papers, 1976-2018, n.d.
  • Lincoln Center Institute(LCI), 1997-2018
    • box-folder 4 folder: 18
      Teaching with the Lincoln Center Institute(LCI) Vol.1
      1997-2008
    • box-folder 4 folder: 19
      Teaching with the Lincoln Center Institute(LCI) Vol.2
      1997-2008
    • box-folder 4 folder: 20
      Teaching with the Lincoln Center Institute(LCI) Vol.3
      1997-2008
  • New York Foundation for Architecture, Learning by Design (LBD): NY Program, 1995-2018, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 2
      Background Information
      1995-2018
    • box-folder 4 folder: 3
      Miscellaneous Workshops and Discussion Notes
      1994-2006, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 4
      Workshops on Structures and Suspension Bridges at Various Schools
      1996-1997, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 5
      Invoices and Procedures
      2002-2006
    • box-folder 4 folder: 6
      Staff Development Workshops
      1995-2005, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 7
      PS 27K Staff Development Workshop
      2001-2002
    • box-folder 4 folder: 8
      PS 27K Residency in Architecture "Entrance, Approach and Procession"
      2000
    • box-folder 4 folder: 9
      PS 121Q Residency in Architecture "Colonial America"
      1999-2000
    • box-folder 4 folder: 10
      PS 163 Residency in Architecture "Neighborhood Architecture"
      2002-2004
    • box-folder 4 folder: 11
      PS 175Q Residency in Architecture "House Form and Climate"
      1996
    • box-folder 4 folder: 12
      PS 193Q Residency in Architecture "Shelters in Three Different Climate Environments"
      1998
    • box-folder 4 folder: 13
      PS 117K Residency in Architecture "Geometry and Structure"
      1995-1996
    • box-folder 4 folder: 14
      PS 277K Residency in Architecture "A Waterfront Community"
      1996
    • box-folder 4 folder: 15
      Briarcliff Middle School, NJ Residency in Architecture "Transitions and Entrances"
      2000
    • box-folder 4 folder: 16
      Westside Academy, NY Residency in Architecture "Structure in High-rise Buildings"
      1999
    • box-folder 4 folder: 17
      The Chapin School, NY, Residency in Architecture One Day Workshop "Structures in Architecture"
      2003
  • Overall Description,1990-2010
    • box-folder 4 folder: 1
      Overall Description of Teaching Affiliations
      1990-2010
  • NYC Ballet Education Department, 1998-2008
    • box-folder 4 folder: 21
      Background Information
      2004
    • box-folder 4 folder: 22
      The Conde Nast building Lobby and Cafeteria "Choices"
      2002
    • box-folder 4 folder: 23
      Ballet Bridges: "A Space within a Space, Vol. 1/2
      2003
    • box-folder 4 folder: 24
      Ballet Bridges: "A Space within a Space, Vol. 2/2
      2003
    • box-folder 4 folder: 25
      Architecture-Space and Movement Workshop
      2001
    • box-folder 4 folder: 26
      Procession and Space in Architecture and Dance Workshop
      2003
    • box-folder 4 folder: 27
      Connecting Choreography and Architecture Workshop
      2004
    • box-folder 4 folder: 28
      Moving Structure: Focusing on Balance Workshop
      2006
    • box-folder 4 folder: 29
      Structure and Triangulation in Architecture and Dance Workshop
      2007
    • box-folder 4 folder: 30
      The Concept of Opposites Workshop
      2007
    • box-folder 4 folder: 31
      Objects and Pathways in Space Workshop
      2006
    • box-folder 4 folder: 32
      A Space for Motion Workshop
      2002
    • box-folder 4 folder: 33
      Correspondence
      2000-2008
    • box-folder 4 folder: 34
      Color Photographic Prints of Various Activities and Model Building with Students in the Classroom: A Space within a Space and Sequences"
      n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 35
      Miscellaneous Articles on Theory of Dance, Balanchine, Quotes
      1993, 2000-2003, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 36
      Resource Materials and Architectural Images, Notes and Ideas for Class Sessions and Site Visits
      1998, 2002, n.d.
  • School of Visual Arts, 1994-2005, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 37
      Photographic Prints and Negatives, n.d.
    • box-folder 4 folder: 38
      Work with SVA Students
      1994-1998
    • box-folder 4 folder: 39
      Background Materials
      1994-2005
    • box-folder 4 folder: 40
      Description of the Proposed Garden, Water Supply, and Irrigation, Class Discussion Notes, Newspaper Articles
      1994-1998
    • box-folder 4 folder: 41
      History of Highbridge Heights, neighborhood and related materials
      1994-1995
    • map case TBD
      Highbridge Heights Unity Center, Bronx, New York: Community Garden Project
      1994-1998
    • box-folder 4 folder: 42
      Prints and Drawings Relating to the Project Vol. 1
      1994-1998
    • box-folder 5 folder: 7
      Prints and Drawings Relating to the Project, Vol. 2
      1994-1998
  • Pratt Institute School of Architecture, 1976-1984
    • box-folder 3 folder: 16
      Student Affairs Chairperson: Faculty and Teaching Materials Vol. 1/3
      1976-1981
    • box-folder 3 folder: 17
      Student Affairs Chairperson: Faculty and Teaching Materials Vol. 2/3
      1976-1981
    • box-folder 3 folder: 18
      Student Affairs Chairperson: Faculty and Teaching Materials Vol. 3/3
      1976-1981
    • box-folder 3 folder: 19
      Food Day (a.k.a. Coalition on Hunger)
      1977
    • box-folder 3 folder: 6
      Reuse Design Proposal for the Federal Archive Building in the New York City
      1977
    • box-folder 3 folder: 20
      Major Lectures Vol. 1/6
      1972-1980
      Scope and Contents

      Introduction for Louis I. Kahn for a Talk He Gave at Pratt, 1973

    • box-folder 3 folder: 21
      Major Lectures Vol. 2/6
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 22
      Major Lectures Vol. 3/6
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 23
      Major Lectures Vol. 4/6
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 24
      Major Lectures Vol. 5/6
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 25
      Major Lectures Vol. 6/6
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 26
      Vertical Design Studio: Course Outlines for Design Projects
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 27
      Vertical Design Studio: Student Design Proposals
      1972-1980
    • box-folder 3 folder: 28
      Vertical Design Studio: Coney Island
      1975-1978
    • box-folder 3 folder: 29
      Seminar 1978: Native American Pueblo Architecture and Culture, Vol. 1/6
      1978
      Scope and Contents

      General class talk, introduction to Amerinds, Pueblo Lecture #1, Puebloe Lecture #2 (in depth), Seminar outline: plazas and countryards, maps

    • box-folder 3 folder: 30
      Seminar 1978: Native American Pueblo Architecture and Culture, Vol. 2/6
      1978
      Scope and Contents

      Amerinds Slides Records of Lectures

    • box-folder 3 folder: 31
      Seminar 1978: Native American Pueblo Architecture and Culture, Vol. 3/6
      1978
      Scope and Contents

      Pueblo Reports, The Navajo Hogan and Eskmo Dwellings, 1978

    • box-folder 3 folder: 32
      Seminar 1978: Native American Pueblo Architecture and Culture, Vol. 4/6
      1978
      Scope and Contents

      Pueblo Settlement Patterns, notes and discussions, general and details, 1978

    • box-folder 3 folder: 33
      Seminar 1978: Native American Pueblo Architecture and Culture, Vol. 5/6
      1978
      Scope and Contents

      Pueblo Seminar, May 1978

    • box-folder 3 folder: 34
      Seminar 1978: Native American Pueblo Architecture and Culture, Vol. 6/6
      1978
      Scope and Contents

      American Pueblo Lecture Materials, Notes, Semi-final, 1978

    • box-folder 3 folder: 35
      Winterim 1984: Low Income Housing Design: "Bahamian Delights" Vol.1/5
      1984
      Scope and Contents

      Course Outline and Class Schedule

    • box-folder 3 folder: 36
      Winterim 1984: Low Income Housing Design: "Bahamian Delights," Vol. 2/5
      1984
      Scope and Contents

      Hand Wrriten Course Notes

    • box-folder 3 folder: 37
      Winterim 1984: Low Income Housing Design: "Bahamian Delights" Vol. 3/5
      1984
      Scope and Contents

      Housing Design Studio Notes

    • box-folder 3 folder: 38
      Winterim 1984: Low Income Housing Design: "Bahamian Delights," Vol. 4/5
      1984
      Scope and Contents

      Class List and Course Information

    • box-folder 3 folder: 39
      Winterim 1984: Low Income Housing Design: "Bahamian Delights," Vol. 5/5
      1984