Hugh Smallen
Encyclopedia
Hugh Smallen was part of the second wave of modernist architects to live and practice in New Canaan, Connecticut
, and was born May 6, 1919 in New York City
. He decided to pursue a major in architecture at Yale University
against his father’s will. His education was interrupted when he was needed in World War II where he served as an aerial photographer.
in 1948. And in 1949 he attended the Institute of Design in Brooklyn. He then began his architectural career in the New York office of the renowned firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. In 1950 the New York native felt his time there had expired.
with his wife Kathryn and opened his own architectural and design consulting office, Hugh Smallen & Associates.
That same year, he opened a contemporary furniture store called “Design Collaborative” with the help of his wife. His interior design work included many projects for IBM
. In 1952 the design of his shop was displayed in the “De Stijl” exhibit in the Museum of Modern Art
.
Smallen believed in a utilitarian way of living and these beliefs are reflected in his designs. Smallen’s designs are often characterized by their wide range of building materials including the use of wood, brick, cement, steel and stone which helped achieve a simplified way of living.
Smallen continued his work in architecture and interior design up until his death on June 11, 1990 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Florida
.
New Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, northeast of Stamford, on the Fivemile River. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.The town is one of the most affluent communities in the United States...
, and was born May 6, 1919 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He decided to pursue a major in architecture at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
against his father’s will. His education was interrupted when he was needed in World War II where he served as an aerial photographer.
Early life
Smallen received his degree in architecture from Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1948. And in 1949 he attended the Institute of Design in Brooklyn. He then began his architectural career in the New York office of the renowned firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. In 1950 the New York native felt his time there had expired.
Career
He moved to New CanaanNew Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, northeast of Stamford, on the Fivemile River. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.The town is one of the most affluent communities in the United States...
with his wife Kathryn and opened his own architectural and design consulting office, Hugh Smallen & Associates.
That same year, he opened a contemporary furniture store called “Design Collaborative” with the help of his wife. His interior design work included many projects for IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
. In 1952 the design of his shop was displayed in the “De Stijl” exhibit in the Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
.
Smallen believed in a utilitarian way of living and these beliefs are reflected in his designs. Smallen’s designs are often characterized by their wide range of building materials including the use of wood, brick, cement, steel and stone which helped achieve a simplified way of living.
Smallen continued his work in architecture and interior design up until his death on June 11, 1990 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.