Arthur T. Brown
Encyclopedia
Arthur Thomas Brown was an American architect who is remembered as “Tucson’s pioneer of solar design.” Brown was born in Takio, Missouri, and studied at Ohio State University
graduating in 1927. He worked on the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition designing auxiliary buildings and signage. Both a fine art painter and trained architect Brown arrived in Tucson in 1936 opening his own architectural firm by 1941. He was a member of the exclusive Tucson Palette and Brush Club and the Tucson Fine Arts Association. His Modern style and use of passive heating and cooling was decades ahead of their time. In 1961 he was named an AIA fellow.
His buildings have only recently gained recognition. Many of his works have been lost including: Tucson General Hospital, Tucson Biltmore Motor Hotel and Tucson’s Carnegie Free Library (Tucson Children’s Museum) wall. His residential projects are scattered throughout Tucson’s post World War II mid-century expansion district. Many of his buildings remain in Tucson including: the First Christian Church at 740 E. Speedway Boulevard, Faith Lutheran Church, 5th street. Delectables Restaurant on N 4th Avenue is also Brown's. It was built in the late 1940s for the Harley-Davidson dealership. The changes made were primarily interior.
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
graduating in 1927. He worked on the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition designing auxiliary buildings and signage. Both a fine art painter and trained architect Brown arrived in Tucson in 1936 opening his own architectural firm by 1941. He was a member of the exclusive Tucson Palette and Brush Club and the Tucson Fine Arts Association. His Modern style and use of passive heating and cooling was decades ahead of their time. In 1961 he was named an AIA fellow.
His buildings have only recently gained recognition. Many of his works have been lost including: Tucson General Hospital, Tucson Biltmore Motor Hotel and Tucson’s Carnegie Free Library (Tucson Children’s Museum) wall. His residential projects are scattered throughout Tucson’s post World War II mid-century expansion district. Many of his buildings remain in Tucson including: the First Christian Church at 740 E. Speedway Boulevard, Faith Lutheran Church, 5th street. Delectables Restaurant on N 4th Avenue is also Brown's. It was built in the late 1940s for the Harley-Davidson dealership. The changes made were primarily interior.
Buildings
- Rosenberg House (Tucson, 1946)
- Rose Elementary School (Tucson, 1948)
- Hirsch house (Tucson, 1949)
- Ball-Paylore House (Tucson, 1950)
- Tucson Chamber of Commerce building (1952)
- Tucson General Hospital (1963-70)
- 4315 N. La Linda Rama, Tucson, Arizona