Alfred Browning Parker
Encyclopedia
Alfred Browning Parker was a Modernist architect
who is one of the best-known post World War II
residential architects. He gained fame for his highly published modern houses in the region around Miami, Florida
. He was born in Boston, MA and moved to Miami when he was eight years old. Parker graduated from the University of Florida
in 1939 with a degree in Architecture. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright
but with regional touches, Parker's designs have been published in many magazines such as House Beautiful
, as well as in companion books.
Parker began his practice in Miami in 1946. He experimented with lower cost housing, included the "Tropex-pansible Home", which was constructed with high quality but modular parts.
Other works include the renovation of the Coconut Grove Playhouse
in 1954.
In 1952 he designed the George Washington Carver Middle School. Parker also served as a professor emeritus at the University of Florida School of Architecture.
The University of Florida is the repository of the architectural papers and drawings of Parker. In 2008 the University of Florida announced the creation of the Alfred Browning Parker Architecture Archives Endowment to support and strengthen this effort to preserve the architectural history of Florida.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who is one of the best-known post World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
residential architects. He gained fame for his highly published modern houses in the region around Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. He was born in Boston, MA and moved to Miami when he was eight years old. Parker graduated from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
in 1939 with a degree in Architecture. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
but with regional touches, Parker's designs have been published in many magazines such as House Beautiful
House Beautiful
House Beautiful is an interior decorating magazine that focuses on decorating and the domestic arts. First published in 1896, it is currently published by the Hearst Corporation, who purchased it in 1934...
, as well as in companion books.
Parker began his practice in Miami in 1946. He experimented with lower cost housing, included the "Tropex-pansible Home", which was constructed with high quality but modular parts.
Other works include the renovation of the Coconut Grove Playhouse
Coconut Grove Playhouse
The Coconut Grove Playhouse was a legitimate theater in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States.The building was originally constructed as a movie theater called the Player's State Theater. It first opened on January 3, 1927 as a part of the Paramount chain. The movie house...
in 1954.
In 1952 he designed the George Washington Carver Middle School. Parker also served as a professor emeritus at the University of Florida School of Architecture.
The University of Florida is the repository of the architectural papers and drawings of Parker. In 2008 the University of Florida announced the creation of the Alfred Browning Parker Architecture Archives Endowment to support and strengthen this effort to preserve the architectural history of Florida.
Notable Commissions
- Bal Harbour Yacht Club. 1953. Miami Beach.
- Residence. Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Graham Miller. Coconut Grove, FL. 1959 House Beautiful Pacesetter
- Residence. Owner: Mr. Ewing. Coconut Grove, FL.
- Residence. Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Marco. Coconut Grove, FL.
- Residence. Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Titelman. Miami, FL.
- Residence. Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Rice. Miami, FL.
- Residence. Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mass. Palm Beach, FL.
- Residence. Owner: Bert Friedman. 1957 Coconut Grove, FL.
- Residence. Owner: Alfred Browning Parker. Coconut Grove, FL. 1954 House Beautiful Pacesetter.
- Flagler Federal Savings & Loan Association of Miami. 1961. Miami.
- Alliance Machine Company. 1952. Coconut Grove.
- George Washington Carver High School. Coconut Grove.