Al Beadle
Encyclopedia
Alfred N. Beadle V was an American modernistic architect active in Phoenix, Arizona
.
During his lifetime Beadle was best known for designing Case Study Apartment #1
, a three-unit apartment development in Phoenix, AZ, which was part of the Case Study House program of Arts & Architecture magazine. More recently Beadle has been rediscovered for his stylish mid-century residential housing stock and for his influence on desert modernism. All of Beadle's output reflects a rigorous, rectilinear modernist idiom consistent with the work of Mies van der Rohe and the postwar steel-frame houses typified by the Case Study experiments.
Trained in construction during World War II
as a Seabee
, Beadle moved to Phoenix in the early 1950s and built a variety of commercial and residential projects, including an entire housing development called Paradise Gardens (though he disassociated himself from the project before it was completed), and the local landmark of the Safari Resort in Scottsdale (demolished).
His lack of an architectural license led to professional difficulties and, at one point, he was charged with practicing architecture without a license. The state of Arizona wanted to "grandfather" him in by giving him a license, but he refused to accept it and went on to take the state's test and passed. As part of his defense, Beadle's lawyer pointed out that another local architect, one Frank Lloyd Wright
, was also practicing without the proper credentials.
Al Beadle won numerous awards from the A.I.A., American Steel Institute - 3 awards, Valley Beautiful Award, AZ Aggregate Association, Architectural Record Magazine, Institutions Magazine. His work has been featured in many National and International(Italy, Germany and UK) Architectural Publications of note. Architectural Record House Award, selected one of the best 50 houses in the last 25 years. Featured in hard cover book entitled "The Best Record Houses of the Last 25 Years". Major works in Phoenix, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Albuquerque. Bio-Sketch included in "Who's Who in America, 1978" and in "Who's Who in the World, 1982".
He designed and supervised the construction of the 21-story Executive Towers in 1964, then the tallest high rise in Phoenix, he was only 33.
In 1993, A.S.U. College of Architecture and Environmental Design had a month long exhibit on "Constructions: Buildings in Arizona by Alfred Newman Beadle". The Architecture College presented a distinguished service award to Beadle.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
.
During his lifetime Beadle was best known for designing Case Study Apartment #1
Case Study Houses
The Case Study Houses were experiments in American residential architecture sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine, which commissioned major architects of the day, including Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig and Eero Saarinen, to design and...
, a three-unit apartment development in Phoenix, AZ, which was part of the Case Study House program of Arts & Architecture magazine. More recently Beadle has been rediscovered for his stylish mid-century residential housing stock and for his influence on desert modernism. All of Beadle's output reflects a rigorous, rectilinear modernist idiom consistent with the work of Mies van der Rohe and the postwar steel-frame houses typified by the Case Study experiments.
Trained in construction during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a Seabee
Seabee
Seabees are members of the United States Navy construction battalions. The word Seabee is a proper noun that comes from the initials of Construction Battalion, of the United States Navy...
, Beadle moved to Phoenix in the early 1950s and built a variety of commercial and residential projects, including an entire housing development called Paradise Gardens (though he disassociated himself from the project before it was completed), and the local landmark of the Safari Resort in Scottsdale (demolished).
His lack of an architectural license led to professional difficulties and, at one point, he was charged with practicing architecture without a license. The state of Arizona wanted to "grandfather" him in by giving him a license, but he refused to accept it and went on to take the state's test and passed. As part of his defense, Beadle's lawyer pointed out that another local architect, one Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
, was also practicing without the proper credentials.
Al Beadle won numerous awards from the A.I.A., American Steel Institute - 3 awards, Valley Beautiful Award, AZ Aggregate Association, Architectural Record Magazine, Institutions Magazine. His work has been featured in many National and International(Italy, Germany and UK) Architectural Publications of note. Architectural Record House Award, selected one of the best 50 houses in the last 25 years. Featured in hard cover book entitled "The Best Record Houses of the Last 25 Years". Major works in Phoenix, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Albuquerque. Bio-Sketch included in "Who's Who in America, 1978" and in "Who's Who in the World, 1982".
He designed and supervised the construction of the 21-story Executive Towers in 1964, then the tallest high rise in Phoenix, he was only 33.
In 1993, A.S.U. College of Architecture and Environmental Design had a month long exhibit on "Constructions: Buildings in Arizona by Alfred Newman Beadle". The Architecture College presented a distinguished service award to Beadle.