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

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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.

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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.

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Access or Use Restrictions

Access

The collection is open for research.

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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.

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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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For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.

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Last updated November 2004 - jrn