John Ridley and Albert Balch entry albums for Homes for Better Living award

John Ridley and Albert Balch entry albums for Homes for Better Living award, 1951-1956

Overview of the Collection

Title: John Ridley and Albert Balch entry albums for Homes for Better Living award
Dates: 1951-1956 (inclusive)
19511956
Quantity: 16 black and white photographs, 6 blueprints, 4 floor plans, and 1 sketch, from 2 albums
Collection Number: PH1122
Summary: Albums containing the entry submission materials for the 1956 Homes for Better Living Award
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: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Additional Reference Guides
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Albert Balch (1903-1976) was a Seattle real estate developer and builder who partnered with Ralph Jones in the late 1930's to develop the View Ridge neighborhood in northeast Seattle. Balch also worked on developing the nearby Wedgwood neighborhood (named for Mrs. Balch's favorite china) in the 1940's.

John Thompson Ridley (b. 1913) graduated from the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture in 1937, where he receive several distinguished awards for his design work. After graduation he worked in England, Sweden and other parts of Europe, before he came to the Pacific Northwest in 1942. He was featured frequently in the press during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Many of his designs appeared in national and regional magazines such as Pacific Northwest Home (1947), Popular Mechanics and Better Homes & Gardens . During this time, notable designs include the Dwight Panchot House in the View Ridge neighborhood of Seattle (1951) which was featured in the May 1951 issue of House & Garden magazine and was a 1953 Seattle AIA Honor Award winner. He designed many commercial buildings in Seattle and was directly involved in the design of the Space Needle.

The Homes for Better Living Award was established by the American Institute of Architects, possibly in the 1950's.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Two albums containing the entry submission materials for the 1956 Homes for Better Living Award. The two houses were designed by John Ridley and built by Albert Balch. The two houses are the John Ridley house, 258 N. 171 St, Seattle and the Mr. & Mrs. Milton Fuhr house, 16825 1st Ave NW, Seattle. The collection contains photographs, blueprints, and specifications for the two houses.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

Processed by Susan Fitch; processing completed in 2012.

Materials were removed from the album binder and foldered in the same order.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Contest entry materials for house at 258 N 171st St, 1956Return to Top

Plans for this house are for Type M model

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/1	1	Entry slip for 1956 Homes for Better Living Award	1956
1/1	2	Plan of Lot 3, Block 1, Park Highlands Printed on drawing: 258 N 171 St. Lot 3, Block 1, Albert Balch's Park Highlands.	1955
1/1	3	Street view of house with family in front and station wagon in driveway Written on verso: "A" 6 Family Circle. Stamped on verso: Albert Balch, 8050 35th Avenue N.E., Seattle 5, Wash.	1955
1/1	4	Street view of three houses Kenneth S. Brown, Seattle WA (photographer)	1955
1/2	5	Close-up view of house front Stamped on verso: B.H. Donahue, 6203 39th Ave N.E., Seattle 5, WN. VE.3512.	1955
1/2	6	Floor plan of Plan Type M	1955
1/2	7	View through living room windows to family barbecuing on patio in backyard	1955
1/2	8	Kitchen interior, with woman frosting a cake	1955
1/3	9	Rear view of house and backyard patio Stamped on verso: Albert Balch, 8050 35th Avenue N.E., Seattle 5, Wash. Written on verso: "A" 5 Family Circle.	1955
1/3	10	Interior view from eat-in kitchen to living room Stamped on verso: Albert Balch, 8050 35th Avenue N.E., Seattle 5, Wash. Written on verso: "A" 3 Family Circle.	1955
1/3	11	Interior view from living room to eat-in kitchen Stamped on verso: Albert Balch, 8050 35th Avenue N.E., Seattle 5, Wash. Written on verso: "A" 4 Family Circle.	1955
1/3	12	Material specifications for —1 Plan	1955
mapcase
M266	13	Architectural drawings - Type M 3 drawings : 3 blueprints On verso: Veterans Administration Certification and two signatures dated 7/54 Pages 1, 2 and 7 of 7. Foundation plan, exterior elevations, floor plan, alternate exterior elevations, interior elevations of cabinetry and closets. Drawing 7 is titled "Details for All Types," and is identical to Drawing 7 of item 25 (Type C).	1951; revised 1954

Contest Entry materials for house at 16825 1st Ave NW, Seattle, 1956Return to Top

Plans for this house are for Type C model.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/5	14	Entry Slip for 1956 Homes for Better Living Award	1956
1/5	15	Section of blueprint sheet with cutout of house glued in center Bottom of blueprint shows builder and architect information.	1956
1/5	16	Material Specifications for C-1 Plan	1955
1/5	17	Survey drawing of lot 4, Block 2, Albert Balch's Park Highlands	1955
1/6	18	Section of survey drawing with photo of house exterior glued on front	1956
1/6	19	Exterior of backyard of house Kenneth S. Brown, Seattle (photographer)	1955
1/6	20	House plan of first floor, Plan Type C	1955
1/7	21	View from living room to eating area and backyard Kenneth S. Brown, Seattle WA (photographer)	1955
1/7	22	Interior view of bedroom Kenneth S. Brown, Seattle WA (photographer)	1955
1/7	23	Interior view of eat-in kitchen Kenneth S. Brown, Seattle WA (photographer)	1955
1/7	24	View of exterior with patio Kenneth S. Brown, Seattle WA (photographer)	1955
mapcase
M266	25	Architectural drawings - Type C 3 drawings : 3 blueprints Drawings are numbered 5 through 7. Foundation plans, floor plan, exterior elevations, interior elevations of cabinetry and closets, front and rear wall section. Drawing 7 is titled "Details for All Types," and is identical to Drawing 7 of item 13 (Type M).	1951; revised 1954

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