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A Guide to the Rufus Nims Architectural Drawings

Finding aid prepared by John R. Nemmers

University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
November 2004


Descriptive Summary

Creator: Nims, Rufus
Title: Rufus Nims Architectural Drawings
Dates: 1950-1992
Abstract: Architectural drawings created by South Florida architect Rufus Nims. These include plans for residences and buildings in Florida, Louisiana, New York, Costa Rica, and several countries in the Caribbean. The collection also includes motel and hotel designs for Howard Johnson, Marriott, and other corporations.
Extent: 11.75 Linear feet. 18 Boxes.
Identification: MS Group 177
Language(s): English

Biographical/Historical Note

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.


Scope and Content

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.


Access or Use Restrictions

Access

The collection is open for research.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Rufus Nims Architectural Drawings, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Acquisition Information

The collected was donated February 2004 by Rufus Nims, with the assistance of Martha Kohen, Director of the University of Florida School of Architecture.


Contents List

Box
1 1: Bonding States. Plaza Development Corp., Ruston, Louisiana. 1978
1 Set I: Preliminary sketches including diagrams, plans, and sections on 7 sheets, 11"X17" pencil on graphed vellum.
1 Set II: Preliminary Drawings, 10 plans on 3 sheets, 17" X 24" pencil on graphed vellum.
1 Set III: Reproductions of preliminary sketches of plans. Land use diagrams.
1 2: Umbrella Inn: For Francis E. Gorman, St. Kitts, British West Indies. 1963
1 Set I: Preliminary drawings on 4 sheets, 24" X 36". Pencil on vellum.
1 3a: Overall Plan for Public Plaza Inc.: Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1967-1968
1 Set I: Documents. Topographic site maps (different areas), Sizes: 24" X 36". Prepared by Gulf Coast Aerial Mapping Co.
1 Set II: Drawings of site plan
1 3b: Moving Picture Theater for Public Plaza Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1967-1968
1 Set I: Plans, sections, and perspectives
1 3c: Service Station for Public Plaza Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Service Station. 1967-1968
1 Set I: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
1 Set II: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
1 Set III: Other drawings: Plans, sections, and perspectives.
2 3d: A Community Merchandising Center for Public Plaza Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1967-1968
2 Set I: Plot plans, ground plans, balcony plans.
2 Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
2 3e: Apartments for Public Plaza Inc. Hammond, Louisiana. 1967-1968
2 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" and various sizes, pencil on vellum
2 4: School Competition Preliminary Drawings. 1953
2 Set I: Preliminary plans, elevations, floor plans. 5 sheets, 30" X 36"
2 5a: Hotel: Torres de Punta Leona, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1977
2 Set I: Design drawings on 6 sheets, 24" X 36", reproductions
2 5b: Residences: Playas de Punta Leona, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1978
2 Set I: Original Thinking: Preliminary drawings on two sheets, 17" X 24", pencil on vellum
2 5c: Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1979
2 Set I: Three Topographic maps of Punta Leona, Costa Rica
2 5d: Punta Leona Villas, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1980
2 Set I: Bound set of design drawings, 16" X 16" reproductions
3 5e: Hotel Punta Leona Club, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1981
3 Set I: Construction drawings, 30" X 41" reproductions
3 Set II: Misc. reproductions of design drawings
3 5f: Hotel Punta Leona: Villas, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1982
3 Set I: Construction drawings, 21" X 29" reproductions
3 5g: Club de Tenis, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1983
3 Set I: Misc. drawings, 24" X 36".
3 5h: Hotel Punta Leona Administration Building, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1984
3 Set I: Misc. drawings, 8.5" X 26" pencil on trace
3 5i: Misc. Documents for Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1985
3 Set I: Site photograph, news article, project description, operating projections, maps
3 Set II: Misc. sketches and drawings on trace paper
3 5j: Punta Leona Residences, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1986
3 Set I: Preliminary plans, sections, and elevations on four sheets, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
3 5k: Hotel Torre Mar, Punta Leona, Costa Rica. 1976-1987
3 Set I: Preliminary drawings, reproductions
4 6: Reno Vada Resort, Reno Nevada. 1962
4 Set I: Design drawings, seven sheets, 24" X 36". Pencil on vellum
4 7a: Two-bedroom Condominium House for Mr. Robert Goldman. 1962-1963
4 Set I: Design drawings, pencil on vellum
4 7b: Development for Mr. Robert Goldman, Marion County, Florida. 1962-1964
4 Set I: Design drawings: Land use study, diagrammatic layout of a city.
4 Set II: Preliminary drawings on three sheets sizes varied: 30" X 48" to 36" X 69", scale not specified
4 8: Residence for Dave and Kathleen Robinson. 1989
4 Set I: Design drawings
4 Set II: Misc. reproductions, 36" X 46"
4 9: Apartment for Joyce Mitchell, 404 Building 1, Quayside, Miami, Florida. 1977
4 Set I: Construction Details, 18" X 18" pencil on vellum
4 10: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. La Ricos, Roanoke County, Virginia. 1956
4 Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 36"
4 Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36"
4 Set III: Previously bound sheets 24" X 36", reproductions of Set II
4 Set IV: Design drawings 24" X 36", pencil on vellum
5 11a: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Straus, Harbor County, Key Biscayne Florida. First design. 1960
5 Set I: Design drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on vellum.
5 Set II: Bound set of construction drawings, 19" X 25"
5 Set III: Construction drawings, 18" X 24" reproductions. Labeled: Complete set for Mr. Straus
5 Set IV: Misc. drawings: Sketch of clear glass light detail, alternate for second floor and roof framing and details, landscape diagram
5 Set V: Misc. documents: Sketch of survey, area site plan, cost estimate
5 11b: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Straus, Harbor County, Key Biscayne, Florida. Nicknamed Igloo. 1968
5 Set I: Design drawings, pencil on vellum.
5 11c: Alterations to Straus Residence, 592 Fernwood Road, Key Biscayne, Florida. A studio for Mr. Clifford Straus. 1973
5 Set I: Plan, section, and details, 18" X 24" pencil on vellum. Scale: various
5 12: Sweetland. 1967
5 Set I: Design drawings: sketches of unit/lot, site plans, overall layouts, sections, elevations.
5 13: DIA Shopping Center by Creative Developers Inc. 1968
5 Set I: Design drawings, pencil on vellum
5-6 14: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Sam Coslow, Palm Island, Miami Beach, Florida. 1966-1968
5-6 Set I: Preliminary layout drawings, pencil on vellum
5-6 Set II: Preliminary design drawings, pencil on vellum
5-6 Set III: Preliminary sketches on 13 sheets, pencil on trace and Mylar, various sizes.
5-6 Set IV: Misc. reproductions of design drawings.
5-6 Set V: Construction drawings, 36" X 44" reproductions
5-6 Set VI: Construction drawings, 36" X 48" photocopies
5-6 Set VII: Furniture details, pencil on graph paper
7 15: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Barnett Guthartz. 1973
7 Set I: Bound set of drawings, reproductions.
7 16: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. John Hamer. Circa 1980
7 Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum.
7 Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
7 Set III: Documents: Sketch of Survey and location map for John Hamer.
7 17: City House (Nims?). Not dated.
7 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pen on trace paper
7 18: Addition to Residence for Mark Ancet. 7790 SW 110 St. Miami, Florida. 1992
7 Set I: Addition to residence: drawings, pen on trace and vellum.
7 Set II: Design drawings, 19" X 24" pencil on trace
7 Set III: Misc. drawings and documents: sketches, handwritten agreement between Rufus Nims and Mark Ancet.
8 19: Hotel and Transient Housing for the College of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Florida. 1979-1984.
8 Set I: Preliminary drawings, pencil on vellum
8 Set II: Preliminary design drawings, 25" X 36" pencil on vellum
8 Set III: Misc. design drawings, pencil on vellum
8 "Set IV: Presentation drawings, 30"" X 36"" pen and pencil on vellum and film"
8 20: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Collins, Key Biscayne, Florida. 1972-1973.
8 Set I: Preliminary design drawings and sketches
8 Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
8 21: Honeymoon Capital Hotel for Gene Guido, Niagara Falls, New York. 1879-1981
8 Set I: Preliminary Study: floor and room plans, elevation sketches.
8 22: Apartments for Burl Johnson, Merritt Island, Florida. High-density condominium type houses or apartments, 20 units per acre. 1963
8 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
9 23: Residence for James McDonald, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1973-1981
9 Set I: Bound reproduction set of construction drawings
9 Set II: Construction documents, reproductions. By Uni bilt Systems Inc. Stamped by Dewey N Corbett, Engineer.
9 24: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bloom, Keystone Point at Keystone Island, Florida. 1959
9 Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 35"
9 Set II: Misc. sketches.
9 Set III: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
9 Set IV: Bound set of finalized construction drawings
9 25: Housing Study- Gas Concrete sponsored by Vincoa International, Inc. for Rock Resorts, Inc., Mauna Kea, Hawaii. 1970
9 Set I: Preliminary drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
9 26: "A delightful land plan of Kayman Kai on the charming island of Grand Cayman BWI, for Don Dise Developer." 1965
9 Set I: Misc. drawings
10 27a: Motor Hotel for Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 1968
10 Set I: Documents: Budget for hotel, building and construction specifications, expense sheet from Desmond Miremond and Associates Inc.
10 Set II: Bound set of drawings, reproductions with pencil annotations
10 Set III: Bound set of construction drawings, 36" X 36" reproductions with pencil annotations and corrections
10 Set IV: Misc. sketches, 24" X 36", pencil on Mylar.
10 27b: Marriott Inn Hot Shoppers, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 1968
10 Set I: Misc. floor plan reproductions
11 28: Brookone Hills Housing Development, Monrovia, Liberia. 1963
11 Set I: Preliminary study
11 Set II: Preliminary study, 11" X 17" pencil on graphed paper with annotations
11 Set III: Misc. drawings
11 Set IV: Design drawings, 25" X 36" pencil on trace/vellum.
11 Set V: Design drawings, 25" X 36" pencil on vellum
11 29: Residence for Howard and Rosalie Aronson, Lake Cassanovia, New York. 1970
11 Set I: Design drawings, 30" X 36" pencil on vellum
11 Set II: William Oliver, Architect(?): floor plan.
11 30: Residence for Howard and Rosalie Aronson, Bocaire Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida. 1989
11 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
11 31: House for Florida Atlantic Builders Association. 1981
11 Set I: Design drawings, reproductions
11 Set II: Documents: Contact sheet and business cards
11 32: Office for Leonard Brothers Trucking Co. Inc. 1972
11 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
11 Set II: Bound set of design drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
12 33: Howard Johnson Motor Lodge Re-Do. 1984
12 Set I: Design drawings, 8.5" X 11" pen/pencil on vellum.
12 Set II: Misc. drawings: Perspective, drawing from J.Q. Adams, Architect.
12 34: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Fred C Berg, Plantation Key, Florida. 1979
12 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
12 Set II: Design drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions
12 Set III: Misc. drawings: Second floor plan, pencil on vellum
12 35: Hilltop Motor Lodge for Mr. Dryden Jones, Cocoa, Florida. 1964
12 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
12 Set IIA: Electrical drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
12 Set IIB: Electrical drawings, 12" X 18" pencil on vellum, with annotations
12 Set III: Detail Drawings, 12" X 18" pencil on vellum, with annotations
12 36: Residence for Mr. Don Verkins of Americon Inc. Three bedroom atrium house. Not dated.
12 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum, some with corrections, sketches and annotations.
12 Set II: Misc. drawings, 24" X 36", no scale specified on most
13 37: Residence for Dr. and Mrs. Charles Hall. 1971-1972
13 Set I: Preliminary drawings, pencil on vellum
13 Set II: Construction drawings, pencil on vellum/Mylar. With annotations and corrections
13 38: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. John Messmore, Redington Beach, Florida. Circa 1953.
13 Set I: Construction drawings, pencil on trace
13 Set II: Misc. drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on trace
13 39: Residence for Dr. D.G. Williams, Hibiscus Island, Miami Beach, Florida. 1951-1955.
13 Set I: Construction drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on trace
13 Set II: Preliminary drawings, pencil on trance/vellum
13 Set III: Misc. drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on trace
13 Set IV: Documents: Handwritten note and sketch, lists
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
14 Set I: Preliminary drawings
14 Set II: Design/Construction drawings
14 41: Four corners house (a.k.a House on corner of patio). 1950
14 Set I: Misc. drawings, pencil on vellum
14 42: West Bay Development, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1963
14 Set I: Misc. plans, drawings, perspectives, etc. [Note: Removed from box and stored flat in Map Case]
14 43: "The Mercado". A shopping center for the city of St. Augustine, Florida. Dryden Jones, Real Estate Inc. 1980
14 Set I: Preliminary drawings, 11" X 17" pencil on vellum
14 44: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Burl Johnson, Magens Bay Area, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. 1962-1963.
14 Set I: Misc. drawings.
14 Set II: Design drawings
14 45: Residence for Alan Hutchison, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1966-1969
14 Set I: Design Drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
14 46: Hotel Development for George Selkirk, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1977
14 Set I: Preliminary drawings, 30" X 42" pencil on vellum
14 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
14 Set I: Preliminary drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on trace/vellum
14 Set II: Bound set of drawings labeled preliminary, reproductions
14 Set III: Design drawings, 11" X 25" pencil on vellum
14 Set IV: Misc. drawings
15 47b: Turtle Inn, for Golden Sovereign, LTD., Orchid Beach, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. 1969-1981
15 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
15 Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
15 Set III: Misc. drawings.
15 48: Warehouse for Mrs. Mary H. Carter, Perrine, FL. Jorgensen and Schreffler Consulting Engineer. 1962
15 Set I: Construction drawings
15 49: Quepos Hotel Study. Not dated.
15 Set I: Study sketches: Plans, perspectives, elevations, 24" X 36" reproductions. Not scaled, not dated
15 50: Housing Development Studies, Curacao. Product of Steel Co. 1972
15 Set I: Preliminary design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
15 Set II: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
15 Set III: Misc. drawings
15 51: Office Park, proposed office layout for an advertising agency, Birmingham, Alabama. 1957
15 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
16 52: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hudson, Old San Antonio Road, eight miles north of Benchly. 1972-1973.
16 Set I: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
16 Set II: Construction drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum
16 53: Bolivia. Various house plans. 1962-1963
16 Set I: Construction drawings of houses with various square feet, 24" X 36"
16 Set II: Construction drawings of various house models, 24" X 36"
16 54: Pavilion for Dade Jr. College. Not dated.
16 Set I: Misc. drawings
16 55: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. J. Goodkin, Keystone Island # 5, North Miami, Florida. 1966-1967
16 Set I: Design drawings, 24" X 36" pencil on vellum/Mylar
16 Set II: Bound set of construction drawings, 24" X 36" reproductions with annotations
16 Set III: Misc. drawings
16 Set IV: Documents: calculations, test boring report.
17 56: Office Towers (International Tower), Miami, Florida. 1957-1961
17 Set I: Preliminary design drawings, 18" X 24" pencil on Mylar
17 Set II: Misc. Drawings
17 Set III: Misc. Documents: Photograph of Model, news articles, booklets and other spare sheets
17 57: Heart of Syracuse Hotel, for Howard Aronson, Syracuse, New York. 1956-1957.
17 Set I: Preliminary drawings, 24" X 36" ink on vellum
17 58: Model Prototype Hotel Room, for Howard Aronson, Syracuse, New York. 1956-1957.
17 Set I: Preliminary drawings
18 59: Residence for Mr. and Mrs. J. Jamieson, Miami, Florida. 1953
18 Set I: Preliminary drawings
18 60: Housing Development for Mr. Charles Koche/ Burl Johnson, Island of Montserrat, British West Indies. 1965
18 Set I: Preliminary drawing, 36" X 36" pencil on vellum
18 61: Berry Hill Barn Living Units, Don Dise Developer, Grand Cayman. Living units for Land Plan in Kayman Kay (26). 1965
18 Set I: Preliminary drawing, 11" X 32" pencil on trace
18 62: Little Haiti Iron Market Competition, Lemon City/Little Haiti. 1977-1978
18 Set I: Misc. drawings
18 63: Residence for Jean Paul Barbier, Island Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida. 1979
18 Set I: Early schematic drawings, 24" X 48" pencil on trace
Newspaper Clippings [Note: Stored flat in Map Case].
Photographs [Note: Stored flat in Map Case].
Mounted display photographs [Note: Stored flat in Map Case].

Selected Subjects and Access Terms

Architectural drawing -- United States -- 20th century.
Architecture -- Caribbean Area.
Architecture -- Designs and plans.
Architecture -- Florida -- 20th Century.
Architecture -- Louisiana -- 20th Century.
Architecture -- New York -- 20th Century.
Architecture, Domestic -- Florida.
Hotels -- Designs and plans.



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