Sanford L. Hirshen Collection

Collection

Identifier: 2011--04

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is organized into four series and documents Hirshen’s architectural career from 1965 until 2004. Series I: Personal Papers comprises of Hirshen’s biographical information, including his curriculum vitae and oral history. Series II: Professional Papers consists of case study writings Hirshen collaborated on or wrote, clippings and photographs from HTA (Hirshen/Trumbo & Associates), and records regarding the exhibit Toward an Architecture of Conscience. Series III: Faculty papers contains a few documents on studio classes Hirshen taught at the University of British Columbia. Series IV: Project Records is composed of drawings, photographs and slides documenting projects including elderly housing and health centers, to migrant farm labor camps in the Central Valley of California. The Sanford L. Hirshen Collection consists of the exhibit materials—boards, photographs, and files—for the 2003 exhibition Toward an Architecture of Conscience: The work of Sandy Hirshen, partners, employees, and professional colleagues exhibited at the University of British Columbia SOA Downtown Gallery in Vancouver. Some of the materials exhibited includes Hirshen’s work on low-cost migrant farm labor camps, social housing for the elderly, and community schools.

Dates

Creation: 1965-2004

Access Statement

Collection is open for research. Many of the Environmental Design Archives collections are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the Curator.

Biographical Note

Sanford Hirshen (1935 – 2013) was born in New York City and attended the New York High School of Music &amp Art where his high school classmates and lifelong friends included architect Sim Van der Ryn and photographer Joshua Freiwald. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Columbia University School of Architecture receiving a bachelor of Architecture in 1959.

After forming a partnership, Hirshen Van der Ryn Architects (1965-1971), were awarded a contract from the federal Office of Economic Opportunity to construct Flash Peak Camps for migrant workers. They constructed thirty-three camps between 1965 and 1974 receiving the 1968 AIA National Honor Award for Indio Camp. During this time, he also participated in the United Nations Previ Project in Lima, Peru. As a partner with HGTC (Hirshen, Gammill, Trumbo &amp Cook) (1971-1974), his projects included Hale Mahaolu Elderly Housing, Hawaii and Housing for the Elderly in Pleasanton CA. Between 1989 and 1994 he was a partner in HTA (Hirshen/Trumbo &amp Associates).

In addition to his award-winning design career, Hirshen had an active academic career. He began teaching as a lecturer in the Department of Architecture at UC Berkeley in 1966, becoming a full professor in 1974 and serving as Chair of the Department from 1982-1983. He later became Director of the School of Architecture at the University of British Columbia (1991-1999) and an Associate in the Vancouver firm of Henriquez Partners Architects.

A recognized expert in social housing and shelter, public sector community services, health facilities, and child development and educational projects, Hirshen became a fellow of both the AIA (1981) and the Royal Canadian Institute of Architects (1992).

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet: (1 carton, 1 legal size document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Systems of Arrangement

This collection is organized into four series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Faculty Papers, and Project Papers.

Custodial History

Records donated by Sanford Hirshen

Funding

Arrangement and description of this collection was funded by a grant from the Joan Draper Endowment, Depart of Architecture, College of Environmental Design, U.C. Berkeley.