Henry L. Blatner
Encyclopedia
Henry LeRoy Blatner was an American architect. He designed the Clarksville Elementary School (Clarksville, New York)
in rural Clarksville, New York
, outside of Albany, in Modern Movement style. The school was featured in architecture publications and affected school design nation-wide, and has resonance in green design issues today.
The application of what Blatner termed "bilateral lighting" was one innovation in the school's design, stemming from Blatner's studies of efficacious lighting. Blatner used indirect south light and direct northern light to achieve an even, consistent lighting pattern, giving building orientation a primary role in the interior function of the school. Blatner went on to become a successful architect in the Capital Region
. He contributed to design of Empire State Plaza
, for example.
The Clarksville Elementary School is the only NRHP-listed building that lists Blatner as an architect in the National Register's database. A dormitory building at 32 Union Avenue, designed by Blatner, is actually regarded as a modern intrusion in the NRHP-listed Union Avenue Historic District, detracting from the historic character of that district.
His design for the Temple Anshe Amunim
in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, completed in 1964 has since won many architectural awards and has been featured in several publications for its unique features, which include a domed synagogue and golden ark.
Blatner was born in Albany, New York
on August 3, 1911. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania
where he won the Paul Philippe Cret
Prize, and obtained a Master of Architecture degree from MIT in 1935. After starting the firm of Blatner and VanderBogert in Albany in 1940 he served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1943 to 1946, establishing his own firm again in 1946, once again in Albany. The firm was known by 1972 as Blatner, Mendel & Mesick.
Clarksville Elementary School (Clarksville, New York)
The Clarksville Elementary School in Clarksville, New York, also known as Clarksville Grade School, is a Modern Movement-style building built in 1949.It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2008.The design by Henry L. Blatner...
in rural Clarksville, New York
Clarksville, New York
There are two places in New York named Clarksville:*Clarksville, Albany County, New York - a hamlet*Clarksville, Allegany County, New York - a town...
, outside of Albany, in Modern Movement style. The school was featured in architecture publications and affected school design nation-wide, and has resonance in green design issues today.
The application of what Blatner termed "bilateral lighting" was one innovation in the school's design, stemming from Blatner's studies of efficacious lighting. Blatner used indirect south light and direct northern light to achieve an even, consistent lighting pattern, giving building orientation a primary role in the interior function of the school. Blatner went on to become a successful architect in the Capital Region
Capital District
New York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
. He contributed to design of Empire State Plaza
Empire State Plaza
The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is a complex of several state government buildings in downtown Albany, New York....
, for example.
The Clarksville Elementary School is the only NRHP-listed building that lists Blatner as an architect in the National Register's database. A dormitory building at 32 Union Avenue, designed by Blatner, is actually regarded as a modern intrusion in the NRHP-listed Union Avenue Historic District, detracting from the historic character of that district.
His design for the Temple Anshe Amunim
Temple Anshe Amunim (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)
Temple Anshe Amunim is a Jewish congregation located at 26 Broad Street in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Since 1904, Anshe Amunim has been affiliated with Reform Judaism. Anshe Amunim is the fourth-oldest Reform congregation in the New England region...
in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, completed in 1964 has since won many architectural awards and has been featured in several publications for its unique features, which include a domed synagogue and golden ark.
Blatner was born in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
on August 3, 1911. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
where he won the Paul Philippe Cret
Paul Philippe Cret
Paul Philippe Cret was a French-American architect and industrial designer. For more than thirty years, he headed the Department of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.- Biography :...
Prize, and obtained a Master of Architecture degree from MIT in 1935. After starting the firm of Blatner and VanderBogert in Albany in 1940 he served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1943 to 1946, establishing his own firm again in 1946, once again in Albany. The firm was known by 1972 as Blatner, Mendel & Mesick.