Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
John Rohrer architectural illustrations, 1938-1997
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Rohrer, John A., 1914-2004
- Title
- John Rohrer architectural illustrations
- Dates
- 1938-1997 (inclusive)19381996
- Quantity
- Approximately 200 architectural illustrations and 22 transparencies (1 box, 2 hanging objects, 1 folder, and 1 oversize folder)
- Collection Number
- PH2016-045
- Summary
- Architectural illustrations of buildings in the Seattle area and various parts of the United States, created by John Rohrer. Rohrer was an architectural illustrator and a professor at the University of Washington, Seattle
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
John Abram Rohrer (1914-2004), an architectural illustrator for more than a half-century, could turn out watercolor renderings from plans fresh off an architect's drawing board. He also was for years the only architectural illustrator on the faculty of the University of Washington's College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Included in Mr. Rohrer's portfolio was work for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the old downtown Seattle Public Library and a number of downtown buildings, including the Seafirst Building. He also worked with architects on New York's World Trade Center towers. While he enjoyed illustrating others' projects, he was probably most proud of his own design of the longhouse at Tillicum Village on Blake Island, for which he drew from his avid interest in anthropology and Northwest Coast Indian architecture.
Mr. Rohrer also transformed a Vashon Island cabin into a summer home for the family, and designed the family home in Seattle's Denny-Blaine neighborhood, which he and his wife, Ruth, shared for 52 years.
(Excerpted from The Seattle Times Obituary, July 12, 2004)
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The framed pencil drawing provided in this accession won a national contest in 1938 sponsored by Art Instruction magazine.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection is largely comprised of approximately 200 architectural illustrations of buildings in the Seattle area and various parts of the United States. These illustrations were created by John Rohrer and feature work for the architectural firms of John Y. Sato & Assoc., Durham Anderson Freed HDR architects, Richard Bouillon & Assoc., Callison Partnership, Kolb & Stansfield, and The NBBJ Group. These illustrations include a series of images of Nordstrom buildings throughout the western United States. Also included are 22 transparencies for architectural illustration instruction, as well as two framed sketches (one watercolor and one pencil) of a covered bridge across the Duwamish River in Allentown, Washington and a magazine issue featuring Rohrer's winning sketch.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyrights unknown. Some restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1-3 | Architectural illustrations | 1963-1997 |
| 1/4 | Architectural illustrations
Norm Johnston, architect. Nordstrom department store
buildings.
|
1978-1988 |
| 1/5 | Architectural transparency drawings, 1978-1988 | undated |
| 1/6 | Art Instruction Magazine; Vol 2 No. 2, p. 25
Contains Rohrer's winning sketch of covered Bridge in Allentown,
Washington
|
1938 |
| hanging_object | ||
| Zone 1 | Covered Bridge in Allentown,
Washington (Pencil) 20.5 in. x 13 in.
This item is a framed work of art and requires special handling.
Please contact Special Collections for more information regarding access and/or
retrieval.
|
1938 |
| Zone 1 | Covered Bridge in Allentown, Washington (Watercolor) 25
in. x 21 in.
This item is a framed work of art and requires special handling.
Please contact Special Collections for more information regarding access and/or
retrieval.
|
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Architecture--Designs and plans--Presentation drawings--Specimens
- Architecture--Designs and plans--Working drawings--Specimens
- Architecture--United States--Designs and plans
- Architecture--Washington (State)--Seattle--Designs and plans
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
