Jack Hall
Encyclopedia
For other people with the name Jack Hall, see Jack Hall (disambiguation)
John "Jack” Hughes Hall (1913–2003), was an American architect
and industrial designer working in the Modernist
style. Hall is best known for his residential works on Massachusetts
' Cape Cod
which were designed to nestle within, rather than overtake, the natural landscape
.
Hughes was born on Long Island. He graduated from Princeton University
in 1935. Following graduation he worked as a freelance news reporter in Europe. Hall began visiting Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1938, and immediately became fascinated by the landscape – enough to purchase an 180 acre (0.7284348 km²) farm compound on Bound Brook Island (no longer an island) in Wellfleet
from Katie Dos Passos, wife of the writer John Dos Passos
. Following the U.S. entry in World War II Hall enlisted in the United States Army
and was discharged honorably in 1946.
Hall and friends, Jack Phillips and Hayden Walling were three self-taught, designer-builders in Wellfleet who created a welcoming environment for European Modernists arriving in the mid 1940s. In 1946, Hall began a design-build practice in Wellfleet which he continued intermittently until he retired. Projects included the Peter’s Hill Restaurant building, the Hatch Cottage, and many studios, renovations, and additions.
In 1956 Hall began working for a succession of New York City architectural firms including Nardin and Radoczy, Tom Lee Ltd., Hughes & Hood, and George Nelson and Company
. His study of industrial design led to work on a number of major traveling exhibitions for the United States Information Agency
including the exhibition "Graphics USA" in 1963 with Ivan Chermayeff (son of Serge Chermayeff). While with Hughes and Hood he designed many showrooms in the United States and Europe for the Fieldcrest Mills
.
In 1959 he spent four months in Moscow
helping to assemble an installation titled The Jungle Gym, George Nelson
’s contribution to the American National Exhibition
. Hill worked with Charles and Ray Eames
on a light fixture in 1964 and designed a café table for the Museum of Modern Art
’s restaurant. In 1957 Hill opened an office in New York City, and began simultaneously teaching at the Parsons School of Design’s industrial design department. During this period he worked on residential projects completing the design of many townhouse renovations including one for Serge Chermayeff
and his wife Barbara Chermayeff.
John "Jack” Hughes Hall (1913–2003), was an American architect
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...
and industrial designer working in the Modernist
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
style. Hall is best known for his residential works on Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
' Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
which were designed to nestle within, rather than overtake, the natural landscape
Natural landscape
A natural landscape is a landscape that is unaffected by human activity. A natural landscape is intact when all living and nonliving elements are free to move and change. The nonliving elements distinguish a natural landscape from a wilderness. A wilderness includes areas within which natural...
.
Hughes was born on Long Island. He graduated from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1935. Following graduation he worked as a freelance news reporter in Europe. Hall began visiting Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1938, and immediately became fascinated by the landscape – enough to purchase an 180 acre (0.7284348 km²) farm compound on Bound Brook Island (no longer an island) in Wellfleet
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Wellfleet is a New England town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located halfway between the "tip" and "elbow" of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the town had a population of 2,749 at the 2000 census, which swells nearly sixfold during the summer...
from Katie Dos Passos, wife of the writer John Dos Passos
John Dos Passos
John Roderigo Dos Passos was an American novelist and artist.-Early life:Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dos Passos was the illegitimate son of John Randolph Dos Passos , a distinguished lawyer of Madeiran Portuguese descent, and Lucy Addison Sprigg Madison of Petersburg, Virginia. The elder Dos Passos...
. Following the U.S. entry in World War II Hall enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and was discharged honorably in 1946.
Hall and friends, Jack Phillips and Hayden Walling were three self-taught, designer-builders in Wellfleet who created a welcoming environment for European Modernists arriving in the mid 1940s. In 1946, Hall began a design-build practice in Wellfleet which he continued intermittently until he retired. Projects included the Peter’s Hill Restaurant building, the Hatch Cottage, and many studios, renovations, and additions.
In 1956 Hall began working for a succession of New York City architectural firms including Nardin and Radoczy, Tom Lee Ltd., Hughes & Hood, and George Nelson and Company
George Nelson (designer)
George Nelson was a noted American industrial designer, and one of the founders of American Modernism. While Director of Design for the Herman Miller furniture company both Nelson, and his design studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., designed much of the 20th century's most iconic modernist...
. His study of industrial design led to work on a number of major traveling exhibitions for the United States Information Agency
United States Information Agency
The United States Information Agency , which existed from 1953 to 1999, was a United States agency devoted to "public diplomacy". In 1999, USIA's broadcasting functions were moved to the newly created Broadcasting Board of Governors, and its exchange and non-broadcasting information functions were...
including the exhibition "Graphics USA" in 1963 with Ivan Chermayeff (son of Serge Chermayeff). While with Hughes and Hood he designed many showrooms in the United States and Europe for the Fieldcrest Mills
Cannon Mills Company
The Cannon Mills Company was an American textile company founded by James William Cannon, based in Kannapolis, North Carolina. It was founded in 1888 and went bankrupt in July 2003...
.
In 1959 he spent four months in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
helping to assemble an installation titled The Jungle Gym, George Nelson
George Nelson (designer)
George Nelson was a noted American industrial designer, and one of the founders of American Modernism. While Director of Design for the Herman Miller furniture company both Nelson, and his design studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., designed much of the 20th century's most iconic modernist...
’s contribution to the American National Exhibition
American National Exhibition
The American National Exhibition was held in Sokol'niki Park, Moscow in the summer of 1959.-Objectives:The exhibit was sponsored by the American government, and it followed a similar Soviet Exhibit in New York City earlier that year...
. Hill worked with Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames
Charles Ormond Eames, Jr and Bernice Alexandra "Ray" Eames were American designers, who worked in and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture. They also worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine art and film.-Charles Eames:Charles Eames, Jr was born in...
on a light fixture in 1964 and designed a café table for 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...
’s restaurant. In 1957 Hill opened an office in New York City, and began simultaneously teaching at the Parsons School of Design’s industrial design department. During this period he worked on residential projects completing the design of many townhouse renovations including one for Serge Chermayeff
Serge Chermayeff
Serge Ivan Chermayeff was a Russian born, British architect, industrial designer, writer, and co-founder of several architectural societies, including the American Society of Planners and Architects....
and his wife Barbara Chermayeff.
Residential projects on Cape Cod
- Hall House No. 1, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, circa 1952 (with Warren Nardin)
- Peter's Hill Restaurant, Truro, Massachusetts, 1953
- Baker-Hall House Renovation, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1955-56
- Hatch Cottage, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1960
- Anton Myrer House, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1962
- Watts Studio, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1972
- Judith Rothschild Studio, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1972
- Levin House Renovation, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1972
- Frederiksen Guest House, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 1972