A. Hays Town
Encyclopedia
A. Hays Town was an American architect
whose career spanned over sixty-five years. While Town designed commercial and governmental buildings in the style of modern architecture
for the first forty years of his career, he became best known for his residential architecture, which was heavily influenced by the Spanish
, French
, and Creole
history of Louisiana
. His work was featured in several publications during his lifetime, including Time
, Life
, Southern Living
, and Southern Accents. Today, there are an estimated 1,000 homes remaining that were designed and built by Town, and his distinct style continues to exert an influence on modern southern architecture.
, the second son of Joshua Hays and Mary Laboye Town. When Town was in the third grade, his family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana
, where his father owned and operated a general merchandise store. From an early age Town showed an artistic proclivity and was encouraged by his father to draw buildings as a form of self-expression. At the age of fourteen, Town designed his first piece of architecture, a remodeling plan for the family home.
Town attended high school in Lafayette at Southwestern Louisiana Institute High School, finishing in 1920. From 1920 to 1922 he was enrolled in the College of Engineering at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
. In 1922, he entered the School of Architecture at Tulane University
in New Orleans, graduating in 1926 with a bachelor of science degree in architecture.
where he was employed by the N. W. Overstreet architecture firm. The following year, Town married Blanche Scarff of Abbeville, Louisiana
; they would remain together until her death in 1980. Town was soon recognized as one of the most outstanding young modernists in American architecture, and Life
featured on its cover one of his designs—a monolithic concrete building in Jackson that houses Bailey Magnet High School
. The school, built in 1938, was recently voted a top architectural site by the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects
.
While at Overstreet, Town had the opportunity to survey many of the Antebellum
homes in the state of Mississippi. During this time, Town studied the measurements of Antebellum architecture, which helped to refine his sense of symmetry and proportion in domestic architecture. Additionally, Town became interested in the use of recycled building materials, a feature of his houses that would become a hallmark of his architecture during his later years.
In 1939, Town returned to Louisiana, this time settling in Baton Rouge
, where he established his own architectural firm. For the next two decades, Town worked as an independent practitioner, designing office buildings, churches, and shopping centers; however, by the early 1960s, at an age when most people consider retirement, Town converted his practice to purely domestic architecture.
influences. As his career progressed he began developing a more unique style influenced heavily by Spanish
and French
architecture. Interior courtyards and fountains reflect the Spanish tradition, while raised exterior stairs and French doors reflect the Creole influence of New Orleans. Town also took the climate of southern Louisiana into account while designing his homes, using large roof overhangs, an abundance of breezeways, and cross ventilation to provide air circulation.
Town's involvement in the selection of interior materials, colors, and even furnishings was extensive—sometimes going as far as to include the recommendation of a certain type of dog to accent the house. Town was one of the first architects to salvage old building materials and incorporate them into new houses, giving his homes a comfortable, elegant feel. He would often scourge abandoned warehouses and rice mills for floorboards, fireplace mantels, or flagstone
s, handpicking the individual elements that would eventually be incorporated into his architecture.
s, 13-foot ceilings, plantation-style separate shutters and brick floors with a special beeswax finish. As of 2010, many of those houses built and designed by Town bear a plaque from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana identifying it as an “original Hays Town.”
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
whose career spanned over sixty-five years. While Town designed commercial and governmental buildings in the style of modern architecture
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
for the first forty years of his career, he became best known for his residential architecture, which was heavily influenced by the Spanish
Louisiana (New Spain)
Louisiana was the name of an administrative district of the Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1764 to 1803 that represented territory west of the Mississippi River basin, plus New Orleans...
, French
Louisiana (New France)
Louisiana or French Louisiana was an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682–1763 and 1800–03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle...
, and Creole
Louisiana Creole people
Louisiana Creole people refers to those who are descended from the colonial settlers in Louisiana, especially those of French and Spanish descent. The term was first used during colonial times by the settlers to refer to those who were born in the colony, as opposed to those born in the Old World...
history of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. His work was featured in several publications during his lifetime, including Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
, Southern Living
Southern Living
Southern Living is a widely read lifestyle magazine aimed at readers in the Southern United States featuring recipes, house plans, and information about Southern culture and travel...
, and Southern Accents. Today, there are an estimated 1,000 homes remaining that were designed and built by Town, and his distinct style continues to exert an influence on modern southern architecture.
Early life
Town was born June 17, 1903, in Crowley, LouisianaCrowley, Louisiana
Crowley is a city in and the parish seat of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2000 census. The city is noted for its annual International Rice Festival. Crowley has the nickname of "Rice Capital of America", because at one time it was a major center for...
, the second son of Joshua Hays and Mary Laboye Town. When Town was in the third grade, his family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
, where his father owned and operated a general merchandise store. From an early age Town showed an artistic proclivity and was encouraged by his father to draw buildings as a form of self-expression. At the age of fourteen, Town designed his first piece of architecture, a remodeling plan for the family home.
Town attended high school in Lafayette at Southwestern Louisiana Institute High School, finishing in 1920. From 1920 to 1922 he was enrolled in the College of Engineering at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
. In 1922, he entered the School of Architecture at Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans, graduating in 1926 with a bachelor of science degree in architecture.
Commercial architecture
Upon obtaining his degree in 1926, Town moved to Jackson, MississippiJackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
where he was employed by the N. W. Overstreet architecture firm. The following year, Town married Blanche Scarff of Abbeville, Louisiana
Abbeville, Louisiana
Abbeville is a town in and the parish seat of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, United States, 150 miles west of New Orleans. The population was 12,257 at the 2010 census...
; they would remain together until her death in 1980. Town was soon recognized as one of the most outstanding young modernists in American architecture, and Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
featured on its cover one of his designs—a monolithic concrete building in Jackson that houses Bailey Magnet High School
Bailey Magnet High School
Bailey Magnet High School, originally known as Bailey Junior High School, is a high school in Jackson, Mississippi . The current principal of Bailey Magnet High School is Calvin Lockett.The mascot of Bailey Magnet is the Mighty Knights....
. The school, built in 1938, was recently voted a top architectural site by the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
.
While at Overstreet, Town had the opportunity to survey many of the Antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
homes in the state of Mississippi. During this time, Town studied the measurements of Antebellum architecture, which helped to refine his sense of symmetry and proportion in domestic architecture. Additionally, Town became interested in the use of recycled building materials, a feature of his houses that would become a hallmark of his architecture during his later years.
In 1939, Town returned to Louisiana, this time settling in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, where he established his own architectural firm. For the next two decades, Town worked as an independent practitioner, designing office buildings, churches, and shopping centers; however, by the early 1960s, at an age when most people consider retirement, Town converted his practice to purely domestic architecture.
Domestic architecture
Town’s earlier homes borrowed from American colonial architecture and Georgian architectureGeorgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
influences. As his career progressed he began developing a more unique style influenced heavily by Spanish
Louisiana (New Spain)
Louisiana was the name of an administrative district of the Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1764 to 1803 that represented territory west of the Mississippi River basin, plus New Orleans...
and French
Louisiana (New France)
Louisiana or French Louisiana was an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682–1763 and 1800–03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle...
architecture. Interior courtyards and fountains reflect the Spanish tradition, while raised exterior stairs and French doors reflect the Creole influence of New Orleans. Town also took the climate of southern Louisiana into account while designing his homes, using large roof overhangs, an abundance of breezeways, and cross ventilation to provide air circulation.
Town's involvement in the selection of interior materials, colors, and even furnishings was extensive—sometimes going as far as to include the recommendation of a certain type of dog to accent the house. Town was one of the first architects to salvage old building materials and incorporate them into new houses, giving his homes a comfortable, elegant feel. He would often scourge abandoned warehouses and rice mills for floorboards, fireplace mantels, or flagstone
Flagstone
Flagstone, is a generic flat stone, usually used for paving slabs or walkways, patios, fences and roofing. It may be used for memorials, headstones, facades and other constructions. The name derives from Middle English flagge meaning turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga meaning slab.Flagstone is a...
s, handpicking the individual elements that would eventually be incorporated into his architecture.
Legacy
For more than 65 years, Town built houses and buildings throughout south Louisiana and the southern United States, garnering numerous national awards. Moreover, he maintained personal relationships with his many clients, people of all ages who became his friends and delighted in his company until his death in 2005 at the age of 101. Town is best remembered for his distinctive style, which adapted to modern use the traditional elements of classic Louisiana, including full-length shutters, dovecoteDovecote
A dovecote or dovecot is a structure intended to house pigeons or doves. Dovecotes may be square or circular free-standing structures or built into the end of a house or barn. They generally contain pigeonholes for the birds to nest. Pigeons and doves were an important food source historically in...
s, 13-foot ceilings, plantation-style separate shutters and brick floors with a special beeswax finish. As of 2010, many of those houses built and designed by Town bear a plaque from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana identifying it as an “original Hays Town.”
External links
- http://www.ahaystown.com/pages/1/index.htm
- http://www.fhl.org/FHL/Preservation/MarkerProg.shtm