George S. Wright Architectural Drawings and Plans
Collection
Identifier: SWA-Wright-Drawings
Scope and Content
The George S. Wright Architectural Drawings and Plans collection documents projects completed individually by George S. Wright and the architectural firm of George S. Wright and Associates. Some drawings were completed while Wright was briefly employed by the firm of Max Flatow and Jason Moore. Architectural drawings in this collection were created between 1949 -1973. Buildings represented in this collection fall into four major categories: schools, medical/office buildings, retail sites and residential housing. With few exceptions of projects located in Texas and Nevada, buildings are located in New Mexico. Key school structures include St. Pius High School, Albuquerque; Armijo Elementary School, Albuquerque; Holy Rosary Parish, School and Convent, Santa Fe; Grants Junior High, Grants; Los Lunas Junior High School, Los Lunas; Socorro High School, Socorro; Tohatchi Elementary School, Tohatchi and the old UNM Architecture Building. A sampling of medical/office buildings includes the Peterson Clinic, the Tektronix Inc. Office Building and the Arrigoni Office Building, all located in Albuquerque. Well known retail sites in New Mexico include Creamland Dairies and Ed Black’s Chevrolet Center Sales Office, both located in Albuquerque, and the Municipal Airport in Roswell.
Dates
- 1949-1973
Creator
- Wright, George S. (Person)
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
Architect George S. Wright graduated from Harvard and served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He designed a number of significant buildings in the Southwest. While a few are located in Texas and Nevada, the majority are located in New Mexico. Some of his best known buildings can be found at the Albuquerque Zoo, the University of New Mexico Law School and St. Anthony’s Church in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. One example is the Giraffe House at the Albuquerque Zoo, a favorite for adults and children alike. Its construction allows visitors to climb high enough to make eye contact with resident giraffes. For many projects, Wright collaborated with architect and friend Francis Stanley. During the 1960s, Wright served as an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at University of New Mexico. Also, during this time period, Wright became passionate about the urban renewal movement. For a 1964 article in the New Mexico Architecture Journal “Urban Renewal-Which Direction?-," Wright comments:
If urban renewal-of which so much is heard-is to make a valid contribution, then the direction it takes must be a strong, positive one of lasting value to all. In simple terms, the issue should be reduced to what should be the basic usefulness of the heart of the city. The word usefulness is interpreted in the sense of use for all. If it is not of such use, then there is use only for a few. The latter case results in the decay and ultimate death of the heart of the city.
From 1976 until 1987, George S. Wright served as Dean of the University of Texas, Arlington School of Architecture. Dean Wright was viewed as a distinguished educator, who made many contributions to the success of the program. Wright established the Architecture Library as a separate collection within the UT Arlington Library System and constructed a separate facility for the School of Architecture. Upon his retirement, the University honored his accomplishments by designating him Dean Emeritus. Wright’s other achievements include establishing the distinguished visiting architect program at UTA, attracting significant architectural exhibitions that featured works of Palladio, Corbusier, Aalto, and Meier, and creating the UTA architect of the year award to honor area architects. Wright was a member of TSA, and the Dallas and Fort Worth chapters of the AIA, and was elected to the College of Fellows of the A.I.A in 1984. On January 19, 2007, Wright died after a long illness in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
If urban renewal-of which so much is heard-is to make a valid contribution, then the direction it takes must be a strong, positive one of lasting value to all. In simple terms, the issue should be reduced to what should be the basic usefulness of the heart of the city. The word usefulness is interpreted in the sense of use for all. If it is not of such use, then there is use only for a few. The latter case results in the decay and ultimate death of the heart of the city.
From 1976 until 1987, George S. Wright served as Dean of the University of Texas, Arlington School of Architecture. Dean Wright was viewed as a distinguished educator, who made many contributions to the success of the program. Wright established the Architecture Library as a separate collection within the UT Arlington Library System and constructed a separate facility for the School of Architecture. Upon his retirement, the University honored his accomplishments by designating him Dean Emeritus. Wright’s other achievements include establishing the distinguished visiting architect program at UTA, attracting significant architectural exhibitions that featured works of Palladio, Corbusier, Aalto, and Meier, and creating the UTA architect of the year award to honor area architects. Wright was a member of TSA, and the Dallas and Fort Worth chapters of the AIA, and was elected to the College of Fellows of the A.I.A in 1984. On January 19, 2007, Wright died after a long illness in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Extent
10 drawers (2.5 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The George S. Wright Architectural Drawings and Plans collection contains architectural drawings and plans of residential, commercial and educational buildings, designed by George S. Wright and by the firm George S. Wright and Associates between 1949-1973. Most buildings are located in New Mexico.
Creator
- Wright, George S. (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the George S. Wright Architectural Drawings and Plans, 1949-1973
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jane Sinclair
- Date
- © 2008
- 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
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