Brittelle, Ginner, and Associates Architectural Drawings and Plans
Collection
Identifier: SWA-Brittelle-Drawings
Scope and Content
The Brittelle & Ginner Architectural Drawings and Plans collection consists of over one hundred sets of architectural drawings and plans including floor plans, elevations, and sections primarily of public buildings and some residences. The collection represents a sample of their work completed under the various firm names of Brittelle & Ginner, Brittelle, Ginner & Associates, and Brittelle, Ginner & Dekker, Associated. The collection also houses drawings of furniture and woodwork details by Brittelle and Ginner, which were used in National Youth Administration (NYA) workshops during the 1940s.
The firm's architectural styles ranged from the California Mission Revival to Spanish Pueblo Revival. Brittelle & Ginner designed stores and businesses, offices, residences, churches, school buildings, warehouses, theaters, a bakery, a veteran’s memorial center, a community center. Specific items in the collection include: Occidental Life Insurance Remodel, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1933); New Mexico School for the Blind, Alamogordo, New Mexico(1938); Albuquerque Ice Plant, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1946); Alpha Delta Pi Sorority House, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1947); Sunshine Theater Remodel, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1948); Ritch Hall, New Mexico State Teachers College, Silver City, New Mexico (1949); Crestview Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1950); Veteran’s Memorial Center, Silver City, New Mexico (1950); El Fidel Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico (1951); California Supermarket Inc. Bldg., Gallup, New Mexico (1953); Juvenile Detention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1954); L.P. Fletcher Residence, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1954); New Mexico Boys School, Springer, New Mexico (1956); Franciscan Hotel W/Remodel Plans, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1938,1960); First Presbyterian Church, Grants, New Mexico (no date).
The firm's architectural styles ranged from the California Mission Revival to Spanish Pueblo Revival. Brittelle & Ginner designed stores and businesses, offices, residences, churches, school buildings, warehouses, theaters, a bakery, a veteran’s memorial center, a community center. Specific items in the collection include: Occidental Life Insurance Remodel, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1933); New Mexico School for the Blind, Alamogordo, New Mexico(1938); Albuquerque Ice Plant, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1946); Alpha Delta Pi Sorority House, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1947); Sunshine Theater Remodel, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1948); Ritch Hall, New Mexico State Teachers College, Silver City, New Mexico (1949); Crestview Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1950); Veteran’s Memorial Center, Silver City, New Mexico (1950); El Fidel Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico (1951); California Supermarket Inc. Bldg., Gallup, New Mexico (1953); Juvenile Detention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1954); L.P. Fletcher Residence, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1954); New Mexico Boys School, Springer, New Mexico (1956); Franciscan Hotel W/Remodel Plans, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1938,1960); First Presbyterian Church, Grants, New Mexico (no date).
Dates
- 1932-1962
Creator
- Brittelle, William Miles and John J. Ginner (Organization)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
William Miles Brittelle, Sr.
William Miles Brittelle, Sr., was born on April 13, 1894 in Imperial, Nebraska. His father was an interior decorator and his mother was an artist. He was educated in the Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado public schools.
In 1925, following service in World War I, Brittelle learned architectural drafting through a Veterans Administration training program. He continued professional courses offered by the Beaux Arts Institute through the Atelier of Denver. He became a junior associate member of the AIA in Pueblo, Colorado in 1923. In 1926, Brittelle arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, joining the firm of George Williamson, as chief draftsman, architect and Executive Vice President.
On May 20, 1927, Brittelle married Mildred L. Zirhut. They had two sons: William Miles Brittelle, Jr., who became an architect in 1962, and Martin Richard Brittelle. Brittelle moved his family to El Paso, Texas in 1930, where he briefly formed a partnership with the firm Trost & Trost. In 1931, Brittelle returned to Albuquerque after this partnership dissolved. In the same year, Britelle formed a working relationship with John J. Ginner, which developed into a professional partnership. Brittelle & Ginner became one of New Mexico’s leading architectural firms during the 1930s and 1940s, continuing until Brittelle’s retirement in 1959. During a four year period beginning in 1955, the firm was known as Brittelle, Ginner and Dekker. Arthur Dekker, the newest partner, withdrew in 1959.
When the bylaws for architectural registration were passed in 1932, Britelle was appointed Chairman of the first Board of Examiners for New Mexico Architects. He held New Mexico registration number two. Brittelle became President of the American Institute of Architects, New Mexico Chapter in 1959. Brittelle also masterminded the formation of New Mexico Architecture Magazine, serving as Chairman for five years, and as advertising director for nearly ten years.
Brittelle & Ginner made a major contribution to Albuquerque’s public architecture. As a member of the Church Architectural Guild of America, Brittelle designed four Albuquerque churches: First Baptist Church, Central Methodist church, Trinity Methodist Church, and his own place of worship, the First Presbyterian Church. Along with George Williamson, Brittelle is credited with major renovations of the “southwest deco-style” including the Kimo Theatre in Albuquerque. He also contributed to the restoration of the Occidental Life Insurance Building, designed by Henry C. Trost in 1917.
The New Mexico Society of Architects planned to award Brittelle with the "Citation of Honor," for special recognition in architecture. When he died, the prestigious award was presented to his widow Mrs. Mildred Brittelle. W. Miles Brittelle, Sr. died in Albuquerque on January 7, 1970.
John J. Ginner
John J. Ginner was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1908. In 1918 his family relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico to assist in his mother’s recovery from tuberculosis. Ginner graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1925, with training in drafting. He was a master craftsman in wood working before pursuing work in an architectural firm.
Ginner’s earliest drafting experience began with George Williamson (1926-1930) and Arthur Wilson (1930-1931). In 1931, his association with William Miles Brittelle, Sr. developed into a professional partnership, continuing successfully in New Mexico for twenty five years. Ginner handled the practical side of the work, including specification systems.
John J. Ginner married Hazel Pauline Blake in 1931. Their only child, Marla, was born in 1943. After the Brittelle & Ginner partnership dissolved in 1959, Ginner did consulting work for the Banes Co., a fabricator of metal buildings.
One of his significant commissions with Brittelle was Tingley Coliseum in 1957, an indoor arena at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, with seating for 12,000 visitors. The structure was the largest arena in the state for twenty years, until the University of New Mexico Arena was built.
More examples of public buildings by Brittelle & Ginner are the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Valley High School gymnasium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Seth Hall at Santa Fe High School, and all buildings designed prior to World War II at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro.
Arthur W. Dekker
Arthur W. Dekker was born on October 3, 1922 and grew up in Roswell, New Mexico. He attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Engineering in 1948. Upon returning to New Mexico, he helped establish the first local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Arthur Dekker joined Brittelle, Ginner, and Associates in 1955 but left in 1959. He practiced as a registered architect and engineer for over 50 years creating over 1000 designs for buildings and other structures primarily in New Mexico.
During his prolific career, Dekker was known for church design, creating the First Methodist Church and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, and the First Presbyterian churches in Grants and Albuquerque. Dekker also designed residences and commercial architecture, including airport terminals, restaurants and motels. Arthur W. Dekker died on January 13, 2007, at the age of 84. The firm continues to operate under the name, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini.
(Sources:Brittelle, Sr., W. Miles, Brittelle and Ginner Architects, Albuquerque, New Mexico. ( New York: Architect’s Pub. Co., 1939); Brittelle & Ginner, Vertical File, John Gaw Meem Architectural Archive, University of New Mexico; Citation of Honour" [for W. Miles Brittelle, Sr.,] New Mexico Architecture, January-February 1970, 12-13, 17; Pratt, Boyd C., Lazzell, Carleen and Wilson, Chris, Directory of Historic New Mexico Architects. Unpublished manuscript, October 1988.
William Miles Brittelle, Sr., was born on April 13, 1894 in Imperial, Nebraska. His father was an interior decorator and his mother was an artist. He was educated in the Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado public schools.
In 1925, following service in World War I, Brittelle learned architectural drafting through a Veterans Administration training program. He continued professional courses offered by the Beaux Arts Institute through the Atelier of Denver. He became a junior associate member of the AIA in Pueblo, Colorado in 1923. In 1926, Brittelle arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, joining the firm of George Williamson, as chief draftsman, architect and Executive Vice President.
On May 20, 1927, Brittelle married Mildred L. Zirhut. They had two sons: William Miles Brittelle, Jr., who became an architect in 1962, and Martin Richard Brittelle. Brittelle moved his family to El Paso, Texas in 1930, where he briefly formed a partnership with the firm Trost & Trost. In 1931, Brittelle returned to Albuquerque after this partnership dissolved. In the same year, Britelle formed a working relationship with John J. Ginner, which developed into a professional partnership. Brittelle & Ginner became one of New Mexico’s leading architectural firms during the 1930s and 1940s, continuing until Brittelle’s retirement in 1959. During a four year period beginning in 1955, the firm was known as Brittelle, Ginner and Dekker. Arthur Dekker, the newest partner, withdrew in 1959.
When the bylaws for architectural registration were passed in 1932, Britelle was appointed Chairman of the first Board of Examiners for New Mexico Architects. He held New Mexico registration number two. Brittelle became President of the American Institute of Architects, New Mexico Chapter in 1959. Brittelle also masterminded the formation of New Mexico Architecture Magazine, serving as Chairman for five years, and as advertising director for nearly ten years.
Brittelle & Ginner made a major contribution to Albuquerque’s public architecture. As a member of the Church Architectural Guild of America, Brittelle designed four Albuquerque churches: First Baptist Church, Central Methodist church, Trinity Methodist Church, and his own place of worship, the First Presbyterian Church. Along with George Williamson, Brittelle is credited with major renovations of the “southwest deco-style” including the Kimo Theatre in Albuquerque. He also contributed to the restoration of the Occidental Life Insurance Building, designed by Henry C. Trost in 1917.
The New Mexico Society of Architects planned to award Brittelle with the "Citation of Honor," for special recognition in architecture. When he died, the prestigious award was presented to his widow Mrs. Mildred Brittelle. W. Miles Brittelle, Sr. died in Albuquerque on January 7, 1970.
John J. Ginner
John J. Ginner was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1908. In 1918 his family relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico to assist in his mother’s recovery from tuberculosis. Ginner graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1925, with training in drafting. He was a master craftsman in wood working before pursuing work in an architectural firm.
Ginner’s earliest drafting experience began with George Williamson (1926-1930) and Arthur Wilson (1930-1931). In 1931, his association with William Miles Brittelle, Sr. developed into a professional partnership, continuing successfully in New Mexico for twenty five years. Ginner handled the practical side of the work, including specification systems.
John J. Ginner married Hazel Pauline Blake in 1931. Their only child, Marla, was born in 1943. After the Brittelle & Ginner partnership dissolved in 1959, Ginner did consulting work for the Banes Co., a fabricator of metal buildings.
One of his significant commissions with Brittelle was Tingley Coliseum in 1957, an indoor arena at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, with seating for 12,000 visitors. The structure was the largest arena in the state for twenty years, until the University of New Mexico Arena was built.
More examples of public buildings by Brittelle & Ginner are the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Valley High School gymnasium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Seth Hall at Santa Fe High School, and all buildings designed prior to World War II at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro.
Arthur W. Dekker
Arthur W. Dekker was born on October 3, 1922 and grew up in Roswell, New Mexico. He attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Engineering in 1948. Upon returning to New Mexico, he helped establish the first local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Arthur Dekker joined Brittelle, Ginner, and Associates in 1955 but left in 1959. He practiced as a registered architect and engineer for over 50 years creating over 1000 designs for buildings and other structures primarily in New Mexico.
During his prolific career, Dekker was known for church design, creating the First Methodist Church and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, and the First Presbyterian churches in Grants and Albuquerque. Dekker also designed residences and commercial architecture, including airport terminals, restaurants and motels. Arthur W. Dekker died on January 13, 2007, at the age of 84. The firm continues to operate under the name, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini.
(Sources:Brittelle, Sr., W. Miles, Brittelle and Ginner Architects, Albuquerque, New Mexico. ( New York: Architect’s Pub. Co., 1939); Brittelle & Ginner, Vertical File, John Gaw Meem Architectural Archive, University of New Mexico; Citation of Honour" [for W. Miles Brittelle, Sr.,] New Mexico Architecture, January-February 1970, 12-13, 17; Pratt, Boyd C., Lazzell, Carleen and Wilson, Chris, Directory of Historic New Mexico Architects. Unpublished manuscript, October 1988.
Extent
6 Linear Feet
Abstract
The Brittelle, Ginner and Associates Architectural Drawings and Plans collection contains architectural drawings and plans, primarily of public buildings in Albuquerque and twelve other New Mexico cities. Drawings of residences and furniture are also in the collection.
Creator
- Brittelle, William Miles and John J. Ginner (Organization)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Brittelle, Ginner, and Associates Architectural Drawings and Plans, 1932-1962
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- © 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu