Architect. Rufus Nims graduated from North Carolina State in 1934 and worked in twenty-five
states and twelve foreign countries throughout his career. He is best known for his work
with the Howard Johnson hotels and restaurants and his residential work in South Florida and
the Caribbean. Nims was one of a handful of architects who defined the modern tropical house
following World War II, before the widespread use of central air-conditioning. Nims
challenged the traditional Spanish and Mediterranean design principles found in South
Florida at the time by experimenting with building materials, construction technologies, and
house structures.
The collection consists primarily of architectural drawings created by Nims. These include
plans for residences and buildings in Florida, Louisiana, New York, Costa Rica, and several
countries in the Caribbean, among other locations. South Florida cities such as Miami, Key
Biscayne, and Coconut Grove are well represented. The collection also includes motel and
hotel designs for Howard Johnson, Marriott, and other corporations. A small number of
newspaper clippings and photographs are also included.
Each project has been assigned a project
number. You can view or download the complete Projects List in Microsoft Excel format at
http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/manuscript/guides/NimsProjects.xls. Each project description
in the list includes a brief name for the project, the name of the corporation or individual for whom
the project was executed, the geographic location, the approximate date, and a code
indicating whether or not the project was actually built. A key explaining the codes for the
last category is available at the bottom of the spreadsheet document. In addition, a detailed list of each item in the collection
was created during the initial
processing of the collection. You can view or download this preliminary inventory in Microsoft Word
format at http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/manuscript/guides/Nims_detail.doc.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Rufus Nims Architectural Drawings, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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Architectural Drawings
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Box 1 |
1: Bonding States. Plaza Development Corp., Ruston, Louisiana. 1978 |
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Set I: Preliminary sketches including diagrams, plans, and sections on 7 sheets, 11"X17" pencil on graphed vellum. |
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Set II: Preliminary Drawings, 10 plans on 3 sheets, 17" X 24" pencil on graphed vellum. |
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Set III: Reproductions of preliminary sketches of plans. Land use diagrams. |
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2: Umbrella Inn: For Francis E. Gorman, St. Kitts, British West Indies. 1963 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings on 4 sheets, 24" X 36". Pencil on vellum. |
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3a: Overall Plan for Public Plaza Inc.: Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1967-1968 |
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Set I: Documents. Topographic site maps (different areas), Sizes: 24" X 36". Prepared by Gulf Coast Aerial Mapping Co. |
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Set II: Drawings of site plan |
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3b: Moving Picture Theater for Public Plaza Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1967-1968 |
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Set I: Plans, sections, and perspectives |
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3c: Service Station for Public Plaza Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Service Station. 1967-1968 |
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Set I: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
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Set II: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
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Set III: Other drawings: Plans, sections, and perspectives. |
Box 2 |
3d: A Community Merchandising Center for Public Plaza Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1967-1968 |
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Set I: Plot plans, ground plans, balcony plans. |
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Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
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3e: Apartments for Public Plaza Inc. Hammond, Louisiana. 1967-1968 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" and various sizes, pencil on vellum |
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4: School Competition Preliminary Drawings. 1953 |
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Set I: Preliminary plans, elevations, floor plans. 5 sheets, 30" X 36" |
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5a: Hotel: Torres de Punta Leona, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1977 |
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Set I: Design drawings on 6 sheets, 24" X 36", reproductions |
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5b: Residences: Playas de Punta Leona, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1978 |
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Set I: Original Thinking: Preliminary drawings on two sheets, 17" X 24", pencil on vellum |
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5c: Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1979 |
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Set I: Three Topographic maps of Punta Leona, Costa Rica |
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5d: Punta Leona Villas, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1980 |
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Set I: Bound set of design drawings, 16" X 16" reproductions |
Box 3 |
5e: Hotel Punta Leona Club, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1981 |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 30" X 41" reproductions |
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Set II: Misc. reproductions of design drawings |
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5f: Hotel Punta Leona: Villas, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1982 |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 21" X 29" reproductions |
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5g: Club de Tenis, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1983 |
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Set I: Misc. drawings, 24" X 36". |
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5h: Hotel Punta Leona Administration Building, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1984 |
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Set I: Misc. drawings, 8.5" X 26" pencil on trace |
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5i: Misc. Documents for Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1985 |
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Set I: Site photograph, news article, project description, operating projections, maps |
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Set II: Misc. sketches and drawings on trace paper |
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5j: Punta Leona Residences, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1986 |
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Set I: Preliminary plans, sections, and elevations on four sheets, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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5k: Hotel Torre Mar, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1987 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, reproductions |
Box 4 |
6: Reno Vada Resort, Reno Nevada. 1962 |
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Set I: Design drawings, seven sheets, 24" X 36". Pencil on vellum |
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7a: Two-bedroom Condominium House for Mr. Robert Goldman. 1962-1963 |
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Set I: Design drawings, pencil on vellum |
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7b: Development for Mr. Robert Goldman, Marion County, Florida. 1962-1964 |
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Set I: Design drawings: Land use study, diagrammatic layout of a city. |
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Set II: Preliminary drawings on three sheets sizes varied: 30" X 48" to 36" X 69", scale not specified |
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8: Residence for Dave and Kathleen Robinson. 1989 |
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Set I: Design drawings |
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Set II: Misc. reproductions, 36" X 46" |
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9: Apartment for Joyce Mitchell, 404 Building 1, Quayside, Miami, Florida. 1977 |
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Set I: Construction Details, 18" X 18" pencil on vellum |
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10: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. La Ricos, Roanoke County, Virginia. 1956 |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" |
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Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" |
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Set III: Previously bound sheets 24" X 36", reproductions of Set II |
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Set IV: Design drawings 24" X 36", pencil on vellum |
Box 5 |
11a: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Straus, Harbor County, Key Biscayne Florida. First design. 1960 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on vellum. |
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Set II: Bound set of construction drawings, 19" X 25" |
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Set III: Construction drawings, 18" X 24" reproductions. Labeled: Complete set for Mr. Straus |
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Set IV: Misc. drawings: Sketch of clear glass light detail, alternate for second floor and roof framing and details, landscape
diagram
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Set V: Misc. documents: Sketch of survey, area site plan, cost estimate |
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11b: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Straus, Harbor County, Key Biscayne, Florida. Nicknamed Igloo. 1968 |
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Set I: Design drawings, pencil on vellum. |
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11c: Alterations to Straus Residence, 592 Fernwood Road, Key Biscayne, Florida. A studio for Mr. Clifford Straus. 1973 |
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Set I: Plan, section, and details, 18" X 24" pencil on vellum. Scale: various |
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12: Sweetland. 1967 |
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Set I: Design drawings: sketches of unit/lot, site plans, overall layouts, sections, elevations. |
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13: DIA Shopping Center by Creative Developers Inc. 1968 |
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Set I: Design drawings, pencil on vellum |
Box 5-6 |
14: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Sam Coslow, Palm Island, Miami Beach, Florida. 1966-1968 |
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Set I: Preliminary layout drawings, pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Preliminary design drawings, pencil on vellum |
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Set III: Preliminary sketches on 13 sheets, pencil on trace and Mylar, various sizes. |
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Set IV: Misc. reproductions of design drawings. |
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Set V: Construction drawings, 36" X 44" reproductions |
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Set VI: Construction drawings, 36" X 48" photocopies |
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Set VII: Furniture details, pencil on graph paper |
Box 7 |
15: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Barnett Guthartz. 1973 |
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Set I: Bound set of drawings, reproductions. |
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16: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. John Hamer. Circa 1980 |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum. |
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Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
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Set III: Documents: Sketch of Survey and location map for John Hamer. |
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17: City House (Nims?). Not dated. |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pen on trace paper |
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18: Addition to Residence for Mark Ancet. 7790 SW 110 St. Miami, Florida. 1992 |
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Set I: Addition to residence: drawings, pen on trace and vellum. |
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Set II: Design drawings, 19" X 24" pencil on trace |
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Set III: Misc. drawings and documents: sketches, handwritten agreement between Rufus Nims and Mark Ancet. |
Box 8 |
19: Hotel and Transient Housing for the College of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Florida. 1979-1984. |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Preliminary design drawings, 25" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set III: Misc. design drawings, pencil on vellum |
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"Set IV: Presentation drawings, 30"" X 36"" pen and pencil on vellum and film" |
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20: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Collins, Key Biscayne, Florida. 1972-1973. |
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Set I: Preliminary design drawings and sketches |
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Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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21: Honeymoon Capital Hotel for Gene Guido, Niagara Falls, New York. 1879-1981 |
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Set I: Preliminary Study: floor and room plans, elevation sketches. |
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22: Apartments for Burl Johnson, Merritt Island, Florida. High-density condominium type houses or apartments, 20 units per
acre. 1963
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
Box 9 |
23: Residence for James McDonald, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1973-1981 |
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Set I: Bound reproduction set of construction drawings |
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Set II: Construction documents, reproductions. By Uni bilt Systems Inc. Stamped by Dewey N Corbett, Engineer. |
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24: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bloom, Keystone Point at Keystone Island, Florida. 1959 |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 35" |
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Set II: Misc. sketches. |
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Set III: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
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Set IV: Bound set of finalized construction drawings |
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25: Housing Study- Gas Concrete sponsored by Vincoa International, Inc. for Rock Resorts, Inc., Mauna Kea, Hawaii. 1970 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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26: "A delightful land plan of Kayman Kai on the charming island of Grand Cayman BWI, for Don Dise Developer." 1965 |
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Set I: Misc. drawings |
Box 10 |
27a: Motor Hotel for Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 1968 |
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Set I: Documents: Budget for hotel, building and construction specifications, expense sheet from Desmond Miremond and Associates
Inc.
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Set II: Bound set of drawings, reproductions with pencil annotations |
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Set III: Bound set of construction drawings, 36" X 36" reproductions with pencil annotations and corrections |
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Set IV: Misc. sketches, 24" X 36", pencil on Mylar. |
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27b: Marriott Inn Hot Shoppers, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 1968 |
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Set I: Misc. floor plan reproductions |
Box 11 |
28: Brookone Hills Housing Development, Monrovia, Liberia. 1963 |
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Set I: Preliminary study |
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Set II: Preliminary study, 11" X 17" pencil on graphed paper with annotations |
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Set III: Misc. drawings |
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Set IV: Design drawings, 25" X 36" pencil on trace/vellum. |
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Set V: Design drawings, 25" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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29: Residence for Howard and Rosalie Aronson, Lake Cassanovia, New York. 1970 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 30" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set II: William Oliver, Architect(?): floor plan. |
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30: Residence for Howard and Rosalie Aronson, Bocaire Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida. 1989 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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31: House for Florida Atlantic Builders Association. 1981 |
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Set I: Design drawings, reproductions |
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Set II: Documents: Contact sheet and business cards |
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32: Office for Leonard Brothers Trucking Co. Inc. 1972 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Bound set of design drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
Box 12 |
33: Howard Johnson Motor Lodge Re-Do. 1984 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 8.5" X 11" pen/pencil on vellum. |
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Set II: Misc. drawings: Perspective, drawing from J.Q. Adams, Architect. |
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34: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Fred C Berg, Plantation Key, Florida. 1979 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Design drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions |
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Set III: Misc. drawings: Second floor plan, pencil on vellum |
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35: Hilltop Motor Lodge for Mr. Dryden Jones, Cocoa, Florida. 1964 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set IIA: Electrical drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set IIB: Electrical drawings, 12" X 18" pencil on vellum, with annotations |
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Set III: Detail Drawings, 12" X 18" pencil on vellum, with annotations |
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36: Residence for Mr. Don Verkins of Americon Inc. Three bedroom atrium house. Not dated. |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum, some with corrections, sketches and annotations. |
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Set II: Misc. drawings, 24" X 36", no scale specified on most |
Box 13 |
37: Residence for Dr. and Mrs. Charles Hall. 1971-1972 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Construction drawings, pencil on vellum/Mylar. With annotations and corrections |
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38: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. John Messmore, Redington Beach, Florida. Circa 1953. |
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Set I: Construction drawings, pencil on trace |
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Set II: Misc. drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on trace |
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39: Residence for Dr. D.G. Williams, Hibiscus Island, Miami Beach, Florida. 1951-1955. |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on trace |
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Set II: Preliminary drawings, pencil on trance/vellum |
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Set III: Misc. drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on trace |
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Set IV: Documents: Handwritten note and sketch, lists |
Box 14 |
40: Residence remodeling for Garrison Boyce and Donald Laier (labeled as Otto Cohen's house). 1 Dilido Drive, Dilido Island,
Miami Beach, Florida. O.J. Jorgensen-Structural Engineer. 1988-1989
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Set I: Preliminary drawings |
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Set II: Design/Construction drawings |
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41: Four corners house (a.k.a House on corner of patio). 1950 |
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Set I: Misc. drawings, pencil on vellum |
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42: West Bay Development, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1963 |
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Set I: Misc. plans, drawings, perspectives, etc. [Note: Removed from box and stored flat in Map Case] |
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43: "The Mercado". A shopping center for the city of St. Augustine, Florida. Dryden Jones, Real Estate Inc. 1980 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, 11" X 17" pencil on vellum |
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44: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Burl Johnson, Magens Bay Area, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. 1962-1963. |
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Set I: Misc. drawings. |
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Set II: Design drawings |
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45: Residence for Alan Hutchison, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1966-1969 |
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Set I: Design Drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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46: Hotel Development for George Selkirk, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1977 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, 30" X 42" pencil on vellum |
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47a: Golden Sovereign Resort, for Golden Sovereign, LTD., Double Head, Conch Point, Barkers Beach, Grand Cayman, British West
Indies. Includes: houses, cottages, hotel, and a downtown. 1969-1981
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on trace/vellum |
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Set II: Bound set of drawings labeled preliminary, reproductions |
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Set III: Design drawings, 11" X 25" pencil on vellum |
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Set IV: Misc. drawings |
Box 15 |
47b: Turtle Inn, for Golden Sovereign, LTD., Orchid Beach, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1969-1981 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set III: Misc. drawings. |
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48: Warehouse for Mrs. Mary H. Carter, Perrine, FL. Jorgensen and Schreffler Consulting Engineer. 1962 |
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Set I: Construction drawings |
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49: Quepos Hotel Study. Not dated. |
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Set I: Study sketches: Plans, perspectives, elevations, 24" X 36" reproductions. Not scaled, not dated |
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50: Housing Development Studies, Curacao. Product of Steel Co. 1972 |
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Set I: Preliminary design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set III: Misc. drawings |
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51: Office Park, proposed office layout for an advertising agency, Birmingham, Alabama. 1957 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
Box 16 |
52: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hudson, Old San Antonio Road, eight miles north of Benchly. 1972-1973. |
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Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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53: Bolivia. Various house plans. 1962-1963 |
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Set I: Construction drawings of houses with various square feet, 24" X 36" |
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Set II: Construction drawings of various house models, 24" X 36" |
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54: Pavilion for Dade Jr. College. Not dated. |
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Set I: Misc. drawings |
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55: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. J. Goodkin, Keystone Island # 5, North Miami, Florida. 1966-1967 |
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Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum/Mylar |
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Set II: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions with annotations |
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Set III: Misc. drawings |
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Set IV: Documents: calculations, test boring report. |
Box 17 |
56: Office Towers (International Tower), Miami, Florida. 1957-1961 |
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Set I: Preliminary design drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on Mylar |
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Set II: Misc. Drawings |
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Set III: Misc. Documents: Photograph of Model, news articles, booklets and other spare sheets |
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57: Heart of Syracuse Hotel, for Howard Aronson, Syracuse, New York. 1956-1957. |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings, 24" X 36" ink on vellum |
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58: Model Prototype Hotel Room, for Howard Aronson, Syracuse, New York. 1956-1957. |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings |
Box 18 |
59: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. J. Jamieson, Miami, Florida. 1953 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawings |
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60: Housing Development for Mr. Charles Koche/ Burl Johnson, Island of Montserrat, British West Indies. 1965 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawing, 36" X 36" pencil on vellum |
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61: Berry Hill Barn Living Units, Don Dise Developer, Grand Cayman. Living units for Land Plan in Kayman Kay (26). 1965 |
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Set I: Preliminary drawing, 11" X 32" pencil on trace |
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62: Little Haiti Iron Market Competition, Lemon City/Little Haiti. 1977-1978 |
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Set I: Misc. drawings |
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63: Residence for Jean Paul Barbier, Island Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida. 1979 |
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Set I: Early schematic drawings, 24" X 48" pencil on trace |
Drawer 1 |
Newspaper Clippings [Note: Stored flat in Map Case]. |
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Photographs [Note: Stored flat in Map Case]. |
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Mounted display photographs [Note: Stored flat in Map Case]. |
