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Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson

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Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson is an American architectural firm. It was founded 105 years ago in 1919 in Little Rock, Arkansas as Wittenberg & Delony by architects George H. Wittenberg and Lawson L. Delony. Wittenberg's son, Gordon G. Wittenberg, assumed control of the firm in 1959 and under the leadership of him and his successor, Thomas A. Gray, the firm was well known for its high standards of design. The firm has since moved to North Little Rock and is active under the name WDD Architects.

Wittenberg & Delony
Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson
WDD Architects
Practice information
PartnersGeorge H. Wittenberg AIA; Lawson L. Delony AIA; Julian B. Davidson AIA, Gordon G. Wittenberg FAIA; Thomas A. Gray FAIA; Jack See FAIA; Tom Adams AIA, Richard Alderman AIA, Chad Young AIA
FoundersWittenberg and Delony
Founded1919
LocationLittle Rock, Arkansas
Website
wddarchitects.com
The former Dunbar Junior and Senior High School and Junior College in Little Rock, designed by Wittenberg & Delony and completed in 1929.
The First United Methodist Church in Camden, designed by Wittenberg & Delony and completed in 1932.
The Faulkner County Courthouse in Conway, designed by Wittenberg & Delony and completed in 1936.
The Robinson Center in Little Rock, designed by associated architects Eugene J. Stern and Wittenberg & Delony and completed in 1939.
The Lincoln County Courthouse in Star City, designed by Wittenberg & Delony and completed in 1943.
Overstreet Hall of Southern Arkansas University, designed by Wittenberg & Delony and completed in 1943.
Bussey Hall of Southern Arkansas University, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1950.
The President's House of Southern Arkansas University, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1958.
The Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Hot Springs, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1960.
The David W. Mullins Library of the University of Arkansas, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1968.
The Regions Center in Little Rock, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1975.
The Business Building of the University of Arkansas, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1978.
The First National Bank Arena of Arkansas State University, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1987.
The Olin C. Bailey Library of Hendrix College, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 1994.
The Har-Ber High School in Springdale, designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson and completed in 2005.

History

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The firm of Wittenberg & Delony was established in 1919 in Little Rock as the partnership of architects George H. Wittenberg and Lawson L. Delony, who were childhood friends. The firm's business was initially slow, and to cover expenses Wittenberg taught mechanical drawing and coached football at Little Rock High School. In 1925 they were one of the three associated architects chosen to design the new high school (1927), which cemented their reputation. They were responsible for schools, college buildings and courthouses. During the depression they completed the Robinson Center (1939).[1]

After World War II, they expanded the partnership to include Julian B. Davidson as Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson. They continued to work on the same project types, and added large office buildings, such as the Arkansas Power and Light Building (1959), to their project list.[1] For fifty years they were the sole architect for Southern Arkansas University and also completed projects for the University of Arkansas and for Arkansas Tech University.[2]

In 1952 the partnership was expanded to include Gordon G. Wittenberg, Wittenberg's son.[3] The elder Wittenberg died in 1953. When the firm incorporated in 1959, The younger Wittenberg was elected its first president. Works in the 1960s and 1970s included the new Arkansas State Hospital (1965) and the Regions Center (1975), then the tallest building in Little Rock.[1] Davidson, the last of the name partners, retired in 1972. That year Jack See became a principal. In 1976 Wittenberg was succeeded by Thomas A. Gray. Wittenberg and Gray retired in 1983 and 1987, respectively, and Gray was replaced as president by Tom Adams. Adams expanded the firm into prison design, taking advantage of the expansion of prison construction during the 1980s and 1990s.[1][4] Adams was replaced as president in 2012 by Richard Alderman, a principal since 1984.[5] In 2019 Alderman was replaced by Chad Young, a principal since 2002. Young remains in that position.[6]

Biographies of notable principals

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George H. Wittenberg

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George Hyde Wittenberg AIA (September 5, 1892 – December 29, 1953) was born in Little Rock. He was educated at the University of Illinois. He then worked for an architect in Peoria before returning to Little Rock in 1918, where he joined the office of Thomas Harding, for whom he worked until establishing the firm.

Wittenberg was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and served on the Little Rock planning commission. For much of his career he worked towards an architectural licensing law. When that law finally passed in 1941, Wittenberg was awarded license no. 1 for his efforts.[1] In 1975 his grandson, George H. Wittenberg III, an associate of the firm, was issued license no. 1000.[7]

Wittenberg was married in 1914 to Minnie Greenfield. They had three children, including Gordon Hyde Jr. and Gordon Greenfield. He died in Little Rock at the age of 61.[8][1]

Lawson L. Delony

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Lawson Leonard Delony AIA (March 14, 1890 – November 20, 1976) was born in Little Rock. Like Wittenberg he was educated at Illinois, plus postgraduate work at Columbia University. He worked for architects George B. Post & Sons and served in World War I before returning to Little Rock in 1919.[1]

Delony was a member of the AIA and served on the Little Rock waterworks commission from 1949 to 1972. As a member of the commission he had a role in the planning of Lake Maumelle, Little Rock's primary source of drinking water.[1]

Delony was married in 1920 to Joyce Manning. They had two children. He died in Little Rock at the age of 86.[1]

Julian B. Davidson

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Julian Bunn Davidson AIA PE (February 23, 1906 – November 28, 1997) was born in Little Rock. He worked for the firm during school vacations before going on to Washington University in St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1928. He then returned to Wittenberg & Delony in Little Rock, where he would stay for his entire career.[1]

Davidson was a member of the AIA and was the first architect in Arkansas to also be licensed as an engineer.[1]

Davidson was married in 1933 to Irene Davis McCall. They had one child. Davidson was interested in railroads and was what would now be called a railfan. Appropriately, he built his family home on a site which kept views neighboring railroad in mind. Davidson died in Little Rock at the age of 91.[1]

Gordon G. Wittenberg

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Gordon Greenfield Wittenberg FAIA (August 12, 1921 – January 8, 2020) was born in Little Rock. He was educated at the University of Arkansas and the University of Illinois, graduating from the latter in 1943 with a BS in architectural engineering. During World War II he served in the air force before joining the firm.[3][9]

Wittenberg was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and was elected a Fellow in 1967 in recognition of his service to the architectural profession.[10] He was awarded the Fay Jones Gold Medal of AIA Arkansas in 1992.[11] In 2014 he and Charles Witsell were the authors of Architects of Little Rock, 1833-1950, a collection of biographies of the city's historic architects, and for this he and Witsell were awarded the Dick Savage Award, also from AIA Arkansas.[9]

Wittenberg was married twice, first to Anna Mary Wilkins in 1944 and second to Betty Townsend Rowland. He had two sons.[3] He died in Little Rock at the age of 98.[9]

Thomas A. Gray

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Thomas Albert Gray FAIA (December 16, 1928 – December 21, 2014) was born in Indianapolis. He was educated at the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 1953 with a BS. He served in the air force until 1957, when he was discharged in Arkansas and joined Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson.[12][13]

Gray was a member of the AIA. He was elected a Fellow in 1984 and was awarded the Fay Jones Gold Medal Award in 2003.[10][11]

He was married in 1953 to Ruth Ann and they had two children. He died in Little Rock at the age of 86.[12][13]

Jack See

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Jack Fletcher See Jr. FAIA (born April 9, 1935) was born in Little Rock. He was educated at the University of Arkansas, where he studied under E. Fay Jones and graduated in 1958 with a BArch. He worked for two years for The Office of Walk C. Jones Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, before going on to Yale University. He earned an MArch in 1962 and returned to Little Rock, where he joined the firm. By 1970 he was director of interior design.[14][15]

See is a member of the AIA and was elected a Fellow in 2009 in recognition of his service to society.[10] He was awarded the Fay Jones Gold Medal in 2008.[11]

See was married in 1958 to Judy Park. They have two children.[15]

Legacy

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During the 1960s and 1970s the firm's work was frequently featured in the national architectural press. They were awarded three prestigious Progressive Architecture Awards: for the Arkansas State Hospital in 1963,[16] the Henderson Junior High School in 1964[17] and the Arkansas Department of Health office building in 1966.[18]

At least eleven of the firm's works have been individually listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, including the family homes of Davidson and Gray. Other works contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works

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Wittenberg & Delony, 1919-1946

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Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, from 1946

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j NRHP-listed.
  2. ^ Designed by Mann & Stern, John Parks Almand and Wittenberg & Delony, associated architects. A National Historic Landmark.
  3. ^ A contributing resource to the Paul Laurence Dunbar School Neighborhood Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2013.
  4. ^ NRHP-listed. Also a contributing resource to the University of Arkansas Campus Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2009.
  5. ^ The contributing resources of the Cross and Nelson Hall Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2010.
  6. ^ a b A contributing resource to the University of Arkansas Campus Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2009.
  7. ^ Designed by Eugene J. Stern and Wittenberg & Delony, associated architects. NRHP-listed.
  8. ^ a b c A contributing resource to the Dolph Camp, Bussey and Peace Halls Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2013.
  9. ^ Designed by Davidson as his family home. Davidson, who was what would now be termed a railfan, sited his house with views of the neighboring railroad in mind. NRHP-listed.
  10. ^ a b c d Demolished.
  11. ^ Designed principally by Fred E. Arnold Jr. NRHP-listed.
  12. ^ Designed principally by Gray. NRHP-listed.
  13. ^ Designed by Gray as his family home. NRHP-listed.
  14. ^ a b c A contributing resource to the Greene-Talbot-Talley Halls Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2023.
  15. ^ a b Designed principally by Fred E. Arnold Jr.
  16. ^ Designed by Philip Johnson, architect, with Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, associate architects. Abandoned and later demolished in 1998 after the underground building proved unworkable.
  17. ^ The tallest building in Little Rock and Arkansas until the Simmons Tower was completed in 1986.
  18. ^ Designed principally by Fred E. Arnold Jr. Altered.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Charles Witsell and Gordon Wittenberg, "Wittenberg and Delony, Architects" in Architects of Little Rock, 1833-1950 (Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 2014): 79-84.
  2. ^ a b c d e Greene-Talbot-Talley Halls Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2023)
  3. ^ a b c "Wittenberg, Gordon G(reenfield)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 615.
  4. ^ a b Empire Life Insurance Company of America Building NRHP Registration Form (2019)
  5. ^ "Super Mover: Richard Alderman," Arkansas Business, April 9, 2012. Accessed August 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Jack Schnedler, "HIGH PROFILE: Premier architecture firm’s new president, Chad Thomas Young, has designs on building even more successes," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 6, 2019. Accessed August 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "All in the family" in AIA Journal (July, 1975): 56.
  8. ^ "Died" in Monthly Bulletin, Michigan Society of Architects (February, 1954): 21.
  9. ^ a b c "Gordon Greenfield Wittenberg," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 12, 2020. Accessed August 7, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c The American Institute of Architects College of Fellows History & Directory (Washington: American Institute of Architects, 2019)
  11. ^ a b c "Fay Jones Gold Medal Award Recipients," AIA Arkansas, no date. Accessed August 7, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c "Gray, Thomas Albert" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1970): 344.
  13. ^ a b "Thomas Albert Gray," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 4, 2015. Accessed August 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "See, Jack Fletcher, Jr." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1970): 820.
  15. ^ a b c d e Rhonda Owen, "High Profile: Jack Fletcher See Jr.," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 12, 2009. Accessed August 7, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Progressive Architecture (January, 1963): 110-111.
  17. ^ a b Progressive Architecture (January, 1964): 138-141.
  18. ^ a b Progressive Architecture (January, 1966): 154-157.
  19. ^ "Contract Awarded for New Christian College," Arkansas Democrat, April 5, 1920, 2.
  20. ^ "Christian College First Term Begins," Arkansas Democrat, September 28, 1922, 10.
  21. ^ Gay Oil Company Building NRHP Registration Form (2017)
  22. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 140-141.
  23. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 139.
  24. ^ "New church at Camden is to be open Sunday," Shreveport Times, June 17, 1932, 7.
  25. ^ Chemistry Building-University of Arkansas, Fayetteville NRHP Registration Form (1992)
  26. ^ Faulkner County Courthouse NRHP Registration Form (1995)
  27. ^ a b University of Arkansas Campus Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2009)
  28. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 119-120.
  29. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 121.
  30. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 81-82.
  31. ^ Lincoln County Courthouse NRHP Registration Form (1994)
  32. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 192.
  33. ^ a b c Dolph Camp, Bussey and Peace Halls Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2013)
  34. ^ Julian Bunn Davidson House NRHP Registration Form (2014)
  35. ^ "Little Rock's Agudath Achim Builds New Home!," Southwest Jewish Chronicle, June 1, 1952, 23.
  36. ^ Piggott National Guard Armory NRHP Registration Form (2006)
  37. ^ President's House NRHP Registration Form (2013)
  38. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 133.
  39. ^ Federal Building–U.S. Post Office and Court House NRHP Registration Form (2015)
  40. ^ Architectural Record (September, 1964): 242-243.
  41. ^ Thomas Gray House NRHP Registration Form (2018)
  42. ^ "Hot Springs' Majestic Guests Preview Million Dollar Addition," Helena–West Helena World, October 13, 1963, 4.
  43. ^ Progressive Architecture (June, 1963): 62.
  44. ^ Architectural Record (December, 1964): 166.
  45. ^ Progressive Architecture (March, 1969): 138-141.
  46. ^ Progressive Architecture (August, 1966): 193-196.
  47. ^ Progressive Architecture (May, 1966): 57-58.
  48. ^ Progressive Architecture (May, 1967): 130-133.
  49. ^ Progressive Architecture (October, 1964): 109.
  50. ^ a b c d David Bowman, "Paying last disrespects to underground library," Baxter Bulletin, December 10, 1998, 4A.
  51. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 58-59.
  52. ^ House+Home (July, 1969): 79.
  53. ^ Architectural Record (February, 1972): 105 and 110.
  54. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 266.
  55. ^ "Magnolia Physician Honored," El Dorado Times, December 30, 1968, 9.
  56. ^ Fred W. Parris Towers NRHP Registration Form (2017)
  57. ^ "SSC Asks $310,000 in Federal Aid," Shreveport Times, March 22, 1970, 12A.
  58. ^ Cyrus A. Sutherland, Buildings of Arkansas (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018): 59.
  59. ^ Cumberland Towers NRHP Registration Form (2017)
  60. ^ Architectural Record (July, 1977): 105 and 110.
  61. ^ "UA Trustees Approve Budget For New Year," Northwest Arkansas Times, May 19, 1973, 2.
  62. ^ "College building bid," Baxter Bulletin, September 26, 1974, 38.
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