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Brixen & Christopher architectural firm records, 1953-2008

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brixen & Christopher Architects
Title
Brixen & Christopher architectural firm records
Dates
1953-2008 (inclusive)
Quantity
153 linear feet, (9 boxes, 199 tubes, 9 map case folders, and several presentation boards)
Collection Number
ACCN 2897
Summary
The Brixen & Christopher architectural firm records (1953-2008) consists of their professional working files. Includes various project materials created while working on numerous projects during their time of operation.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The firm Brixen & Christopher Architects was co-founded by James "Jim" Christopher and Martin Brixen in 1963. The two met while teaching at the University of Utah. Services provided by the firm included building additions/alterations, architecture, building analysis and forensic work, design, interior architecture, master planning, planning, programming, site analysis, space planning, specifications, and urban design. The main focus of their projects included work on colleges and universities, communication facilities, laboratories, libraries, mixed-use facilities, offices, parking structures, religious facilities, and warehouses. The firm's first major commission were the original buildings at Snowbird. Over the years, they've done many award-winning architecture projects as well as successful historic preservation projects. In 1987, Brixen & Christopher was named the architectural firm of the year by the Western Mountain Region of the American Institute of Architects. The firm was also honored by an exhibition of its work over the years by the University of Utah, Graduate School of Architecture in 1989. Other prominent projects include the Rowland Hall-St. Mark's Lower Campus; 13-story office building and parking structure at Second South and State Street in Salt Lake City; St. James Episcopal Church; Congregation Kol Ami synagogue; Nunemaker Place at Westminster College; Sprague Library; and Red Butte Gardens and Arboretum's visitor center. The firm closed its doors in 2015.

James Walker Christopher was born in Philadelphia on November 5, 1930, and spent his early life in Audubon, New Jersey. Jim received a bachelor's degree in architecture from Rice University in Houston, and a master's degree in architecture from MIT where he trained under master architect Louis Kahn. Recruited by Dean Roger Bailey, James came to Utah in 1956 to teach at the University of Utah for nine years. As co-founder of Brixen & Christopher, his projects have received numerous regional and national design awards. James was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) in 1981, was a member and chairman of the RUDAT National Task Group, and also a trustee of the Utah Heritage Foundation between 2004 and 2012. For his preservation work, the foundation recently awarded Christopher with the Lucybeth Rampton Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2010, the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects also honored Christopher with a lifetime achievement award.

Martin Gerald Brixen was born in Salt Lake City on February 14, 1927 and he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Martin graduated from the University of Utah in 1952, as a member of the first graduating class in architecture, with bachelor's degrees in fine arts and architecture. After working with various architects, returned to the University of Utah in 1956 to organize and direct the Department of Campus Planning and Construction, which developed the campus master plan. In 1963, Martin resigned as director of Planning and Construction and co-founded the firm of Brixen & Christopher Architects with James W. Christopher. Martin was named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 1985. He served as a partner of the firm for 25 years until his retirement in 1989.

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Content Description

The Brixen & Christopher Architectural Firm records consists of their professional working files. Includes various project materials created while working on numerous projects during their time of operation.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Collection has been organized according to type of material: I. Project Files; II. Office Files; III. Oversize Materials; IV. Rolled Architectural Drawings; V. Oversize Flat Drawings; and VI. Oversize Project Presentation Boards.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Jim Christopher, Andrew Ramsey and Myron Richardson in 2015.

Processing Note

Processed by Betsey Welland in 2016.

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • I: Project files

    • Description: 185 South State Street office building and parking complex, Salt Lake City
      Dates: 1982-1983
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: 201 South State Street office building and parking complex, Salt Lake City

      Commissioned by the Boyer Company.

      Dates: 1982; 1985
      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: American Express project schedule
      Dates: 1980
      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Ashton Square, Vernal, Utah
      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Bennion Junior High School
      Dates: 1978-1982
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Block 53 preservation and development strategies, Salt Lake City
      Dates: 1980
      Container: Box 1, Folder 6
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Brighton Inn, Brighton, Utah
      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Brixen & Christopher office building

      Building located at 252 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1978
      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Brooks Arcade

      Building located at 300 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Cannon Construction Company office building
      Container: Box 1, Folder 10
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Central Weber Sewer Improvement District
      Dates: 1999
      Container: Box 1, Folder 11
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Chapman Branch Library renovation

      Building located at 600 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Chapman Library forms part of the Salt Lake City Public Library System.

      Dates: 1993-1994
      Container: Box 1, Folder 12
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: The Children's Center

      The Children's Center provides comprehensive mental health care to enhance the emotional well-being of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 13
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: College of Eastern Utah buildings

      These folders contains plans for a music building (undated), student center and student dormitory located in Price, Utah.

      Dates: 1966; 1998
      Container: Box 1, Folder 14-16
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Cottonwood Towers
      Container: Box 1, Folder 17
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Day-Riverside Branch Library

      Building located at 1575 West 1000 North, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Day-Riverside Branch Library forms part of the Salt Lake City Public Library System.

      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box 2, Folder 1
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Devereaux project, Triad Utah
      Container: Box 2, Folder 2
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired-SLD building
      Dates: 1997
      Container: Box 2, Folder 3
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Elderly housing proposal

      Commissioned by B.B. Anderson Development Company.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 4
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Episcopal Church of the Resurrection

      Building located at 1131 South Main Street, Centerville, Utah.

      Dates: 2002
      Container: Box 2, Folder 5
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Family Health Plan Center building

      Facility was formerly known as the Utah Group Health Plan Center, then became known as the Family Health Plan Center and is now currently named the University of Utah Health Center.

      Dates: 1973
      Container: Box 2, Folder 6
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Farm house and dairy center
      Container: Box 2, Folder 7
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Fidelity Investments Inc.

      Building located at 175 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 8
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

      Building located in Sandy, Utah.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 9
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Harry E. Fisher Medical Center
      Container: Box 2, Folder 10
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Hill Air Force Base Museum, Procurement Facility Consolidation and Consolidated Avionics Integration Support Facility
      Dates: 1993; undated
      Container: Box 2, Folder 11
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: The Hub

      Project involved renovation of a college cafeteria, but no information available regarding the name of the institution.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 12
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Humane Society of Utah

      Building located at 4242 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1992-1996
      Container: Box 2, Folder 13
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Hunter Junior High School
      Container: Box 2, Folder 14
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Intermountain Design Center, Viaduct Commons
      Container: Box 2, Folder 15
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: J.C. Penny store
      Container: Box 2, Folder 16
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Jewish Community Center
      Container: Box 2, Folder 17
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Jones (Dr. and Mrs. H. Douglas) residence

      Building located at 6980 Aspen Glen, Reno, Nevada.

      Dates: 1979-1983
      Container: Box 2, Folder 18
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Kearns Senior Center
      Dates: 1994
      Container: Box 2, Folder 19
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Las Vegas project, Boyer Company
      Container: Box 2, Folder 20
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Law offices

      Includes law offices for Moyle and Draper (600 Deseret Plaza, Salt Lake City), Rooker Larsen Kimball and Parr, Parsons Behle and Latimer

      Dates: 1982; undated
      Container: Box 2, Folder 21
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Main Street transit improvement, Salt Lake City, Utah
      Container: Box 3, Folder 1
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: McKay-Dee Hospital office building and parking structure

      Building is located at 3939 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Utah.

      Dates: 1985; 1993-1994
      Container: Box 3, Folder 2
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Mount Olympus Senior Center
      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box 3, Folder 3
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Mountain Bell Telephone Company

      Data Processing Center Number 1 was located at 205 East 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1978-1982
      Container: Box 3, Folder 4
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Park Library

      Building located at 4870 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Park Library forms part of the Salt Lake County Public Library System.

      Dates: 1989-1990
      Container: Box 3, Folder 5
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Peace Officer Standards Training Academy

      Building located at 4500 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1982
      Container: Box 3, Folder 6
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Phoenix Plaza Shopping Center, St. George, Utah
      Container: Box 3, Folder 7
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Preservation development strategies for Salt Lake City
      Dates: 1983
      Container: Box 3, Folder 8
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Quince Street cottage renovation

      Building located at 319 Quince Street, Salt Lake City, Utah and owned by Ranch Snow Kimball.

      Dates: 1982-1983
      Container: Box 3, Folder 9
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Walter P. Cottam Visitor Center
      Dates: 1994-1999
      Container: Box 3, Folder 10
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Rosenthal (Richard and Joan) residence, Park City, Utah
      Dates: 2008
      Container: Box 3, Folder 11
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Rowland Hall - St. Mark's Beginning and Lower School Campus

      Campus located at 720 Guardsman Way, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 2002
      Container: Box 3, Folder 12
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Newman Center

      Building located at 170 South University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 2004-2005
      Container: Box 4, Folder 1
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: St. James Episcopal Church remodel

      Building located at 6876 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1978-1980; 1993-1996
      Container: Box 4, Folder 2
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral remodel

      Building located at 231 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1990-1991
      Container: Box 4, Folder 3
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: St. Rose of Lima
      Container: Box 4, Folder 4
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Salt Palace Center expansion project
      Dates: 1980
      Container: Box 4, Folder 5
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: San Filipe Catholic Church

      Building located at Aria Blvd, Wendover, Utah.

      Container: Box 4, Folder 6
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: San Isidro Catholic Church

      Building located in Elberta, Utah.

      Dates: 1987-1988
      Container: Box 4, Folder 7
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Sigma Nu Fraternity House
      Container: Box 4, Folder 8
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Skyline High School swimming pool and gymnasium complex
      Dates: 1976
      Container: Box 4, Folder 9
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Snow College Science Building

      Located in Ephraim, Utah.

      Dates: 1974
      Container: Box 4, Folder 10
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Snowbird Resort, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

      These folders include materials regarding the Turramurra Lodge.

      Dates: 1971-1989; 1997
      Container: Box 4, Folder 11-12
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Southern Utah University, Sharwan Smith Center, Cedar City, Utah
      Dates: 1997
      Container: Box 4, Folder 13
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Spec house designs
      Container: Box 4, Folder 14
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Sprague Branch Library

      The Sprague Branch Library forms part of the Salt Lake City Public Library System.

      Dates: 1989-1999
      Container: Box 4, Folder 15
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Stansbury Park Clubhouse, Stansbury Park, Utah
      Dates: 1979
      Container: Box 5, Folder 1
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Steiner (Kevin and Alice) residence addition and remodel

      Building located at 69 "S" Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1986-1993
      Container: Box 5, Folder 2
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Sweet Candy Company exterior renovation

      Building located at 224 South 200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1986-1987
      Container: Box 5, Folder 3
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Synagogue for Congregation Kol Ami

      Building located at 2425 East Heritage Way (2760 South), Salt Lake City, Utah 84109.

      Dates: 1976-1979
      Container: Box 5, Folder 4
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Thomas Jefferson Junior High School

      Building located at 5850 South 5600 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1987-1989
      Container: Box 5, Folder 5
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Ticaboo Motel and commercial development
      Container: Box 5, Folder 6
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: United States Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City Research Center

      Building located at 729 South Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1980-1981
      Container: Box 5, Folder 7
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah, Emery Building addition
      Dates: 1983-1985; 1995
      Container: Box 5, Folder 8
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah general projects
      Container: Box 5, Folder 9
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah, Language and Communication Building
      Dates: 1995-1997
      Container: Box 5, Folder 10
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute
      Dates: 1994-1996
      Container: Box 5, Folder 11
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah, NW quadrant parking structure
      Container: Box 5, Folder 12
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah, previous master plan
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box 5, Folder 13
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: University of Utah, Talmage Building renovation
      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box 5, Folder 14
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Utah Department of Employment Security, Administrative Building

      Building located at 140 East 300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box 6, Folder 1
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Utah Department of Transportation, Maintenance and Testing Facility
      Dates: 1979
      Container: Box 6, Folder 2
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Utah State University, George B. Caine Dairy Teaching and Research Center
      Container: Box 6, Folder 3
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Utah State University, Taggart Student Center
      Container: Box 6, Folder 4
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Veterans Administration Hospital
      Container: Box 6, Folder 5
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Westminster College, comprehensive master plan
      Dates: 1990
      Container: Box 6, Folder 6
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Westminster College, Library

      This folder consists of conceptual studies.

      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box 6, Folder 7
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Westminster College, Nunemaker Place
      Dates: 1977-1982; 2002
      Container: Box 6, Folder 8
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Westminster College, project for Triad
      Container: Box 6, Folder 9
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Dean Witter building
      Container: Box 6, Folder 10
      Location: I: Project files
    • Description: Wolf Creek Resort
      Dates: 1974
      Container: Box 6, Folder 11
      Location: I: Project files

  • II: Office files

    • Description: Award entries
      Dates: 1967-2002
      Container: Box 7, Folder 1-2
      Location: II: Office files
    • Description: "An Exhibition of Brixen and Christopher Architects"

      Exhibition presented at the University of Utah, Graduate School of Architecture.

      Dates: 1989
      Container: Box 7, Folder 3
      Location: II: Office files
    • Description: "Firm of the Year" materials
      Dates: 1987
      Container: Box 7, Folder 4
      Location: II: Office files
    • Description: Photographer information
      Dates: 1978; 1987
      Container: Box 7, Folder 5
      Location: II: Office files
    • Description: Organizational charts
      Dates: 1971
      Container: Box 7, Folder 6
      Location: II: Office files

  • III: Oversize materials

  • IV: Rolled architectural drawings

  • V: Oversize flat drawings

  • VI: Oversize project presentation boards

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Architectural firms--Utah--Records and correspondence
  • Architecture--Utah--Designs and plans

Personal Names

  • Brixen, Martin, 1927-1993--Archives
  • Christopher, James, 1930-2016--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Brixen & Christopher Architects--Records and correspondence
  • Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort (Utah)--Designs and plans
  • Southern Utah University--Designs and plans
  • University of Utah--Designs and plan
  • Utah State University--Designs and plan
  • Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--Designs and plans

Geographical Names

  • Utah--Buildings--Designs and plans

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings (visual works)
  • Business records
  • Posters

Finding aid created by Betsey Welland.
2016 (last modified: 2020)

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