James Polshek
Encyclopedia
James Stewart Polshek is an American architect
based in New York City
. He is the founder of Polshek Partnership, the firm at which he was Principal Design Partner for more than four decades. He is currently Design Counsel to the legacy firm Ennead Architects as well as actively engaged as design lead on multiple projects.
's Adelbert College 1947, with thoughts of becoming a psychiatrist
. He struggled with school and began taking a variety of courses, including a course in the history of modern architecture
. After deciding to study architecture he enrolled at Yale University
, and graduated in 1955 with a Master of Architecture
degree. He was also a Fulbright/Hayes
fellow in Denmark
and received a number of grants from the Graham Foundation
.
After he became dean of Columbia University
's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
in 1972, Western Reserve University granted his bachelor of science
degree in 1973, forgiving the 8 credits he was short.
He served as the dean of Columbia University
's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
from 1972 to 1987.
Polshek is unusual among top-tier architects for taking the position that architecture is more craft than fine art, and that architects have some measure of social responsibility.
in 1986. In 2002, he was honored with the Municipal Art Society
’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
. In 2005, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
He has received honorary degrees from Pratt Institute
(1995), the New School University Parsons School of Design (1995) and the New Jersey Institute of Technology
(2002).
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...
based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He is the founder of Polshek Partnership, the firm at which he was Principal Design Partner for more than four decades. He is currently Design Counsel to the legacy firm Ennead Architects as well as actively engaged as design lead on multiple projects.
Education & background
Polshek enrolled in premed at Case Western Reserve UniversityCase Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
's Adelbert College 1947, with thoughts of becoming a psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
. He struggled with school and began taking a variety of courses, including a course in the history 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...
. After deciding to study architecture he enrolled at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and graduated in 1955 with a Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture is a professional degree in architecture, qualifying the graduate to move through the various stages of professional accreditation that result in receiving a license.-Overview:...
degree. He was also a Fulbright/Hayes
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
fellow in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and received a number of grants from the Graham Foundation
Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, based in Chicago, supports the arts, architecture, and institutions through public programs, and grants for projects....
.
After he became dean of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University in New York City, also known simply as GSAPP, is regarded as one of the most important and prestigious architecture schools in the world...
in 1972, Western Reserve University granted his bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1973, forgiving the 8 credits he was short.
Professional career
Polshek worked for I.M. Pei prior to starting his own firm, James Stewart Polshek Architect, in 1963. He is presently retired and maintains the title of Design Counsel to Ennead Architects.He served as the dean of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University in New York City, also known simply as GSAPP, is regarded as one of the most important and prestigious architecture schools in the world...
from 1972 to 1987.
Polshek is unusual among top-tier architects for taking the position that architecture is more craft than fine art, and that architects have some measure of social responsibility.
Awards and honors
Polshek received the Gold Medal award from the New York City chapter of the American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican 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...
in 1986. In 2002, he was honored with the Municipal Art Society
Municipal Art Society
The Municipal Art Society of New York, founded in 1893, is a non-profit membership organization that fights for intelligent urban planning, design and preservation through education, dialogue and advocacy in New York City....
’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
. In 2005, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
He has received honorary degrees from Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
(1995), the New School University Parsons School of Design (1995) and the New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
(2002).
External links
- Ennead Architects Homepage
- CWRU article about Polshek, his firm, and the Clinton Center design.
- Awarding of CWRU Distinguished Alumni Award
- Biography at newseum.org
- Controversy over design for the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
- Information at greatbuildings.com