James Rossant
Encyclopedia
James Stephan Rossant was an American
architect
, artist
, and professor of architecture
. A long-time Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
, he is best known for his master plan of Reston, Virginia
, the Lower Manhattan
Plan, and the UN
-sponsored master plan for Dodoma
, Tanzania
. He was a partner of the architectural firm Conklin & Rossant and principal of James Rossant Architects.
(1962). For Whittlesey & Conklin, he developed the master plan for Reston, Virginia. For Conklin & Rossant his work includes the Crystal Bridge of the Myriad Botanical Gardens
(Oklahoma City
), the Ramaz School
(New York
), Two Charles Center
(Baltimore
), and the U.S. Navy Memorial at Market Square (Washington, DC). For 3R Architects, his work includes Tanzania's new capital at Dodoma
under the sponsorship of the United Nations. He served on New York City's Public Design Commission (formerly the Art Commission of the City of New York).
all his life and exhibited with frequency (last in Paris, 2009). His sculpture
includes work publicly accessible on Washington Plaza along Lake Anne
in Reston. He published Cities in the Sky in 2009, based on one of his longest series of architectural paintings. He also illustrated several cookbooks by his wife.
(1970–2005) and Urban Design
at New York University
's School of Public Administration (1975–1983). As lecturer, he visited the National University of Singapore
, the American University of Beirut
, Harvard University, the University of Virginia
, and Columbia University.
, Rossant grew up in the Bronx, where he attended the Bronx High School of Science
. He studied architecture at Columbia University
, the University of Florida
, and Harvard University
's Graduate School of Design (under Walter Gropius
). He served in Europe
during the Korean War
, then worked in Italy
with Gino Valle (designer of the Cifra 3
clock). He married Colette Palacci
while in Europe; the couple moved back the United States
. His brother was the journalist Murray J. Rossant. James Rossant wrote a memoir which he published privately and shared with members of his family.
in the Orne
portion of Le Perche
, Lower Normandy, France
, of complications arising from long-term, chronic lymphonic leukemia
or CLL.
(author and journalist), Cecile Rossant (author and architect), and Tomas Rossant (architect); and grandchildren. His nephew is John Rossant, executive chairman of PublicisLive. His cousin is British psychotherapist, Susie Orbach
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
, and professor of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. A long-time Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, he is best known for his master plan of Reston, Virginia
Reston, Virginia
Reston is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The population was 58,404, at the 2010 Census and 56,407 at the 2000 census...
, the Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan is the southernmost part of the island of Manhattan, the main island and center of business and government of the City of New York...
Plan, and the UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
-sponsored master plan for Dodoma
Dodoma
Dodoma , officially Dodoma Urban District, population 324,347 , is the national capital of Tanzania, and the capital of the Dodoma region. In 1973, plans were made to move the capital to Dodoma...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. He was a partner of the architectural firm Conklin & Rossant and principal of James Rossant Architects.
Architecture
In 1957, Rossant joined Mayer & Whittlesey as architect and town planner. His first large design project was the Butterfield House apartment house in Greenwich VillageGreenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
(1962). For Whittlesey & Conklin, he developed the master plan for Reston, Virginia. For Conklin & Rossant his work includes the Crystal Bridge of the Myriad Botanical Gardens
Myriad Botanical Gardens
The Myriad Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the southwest corner of Reno and Robinson. The Gardens is home to multiple tiers of densely landscaped areas that surround a sunken lake...
(Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
), the Ramaz School
Ramaz School
The Ramaz School is a coeducational, private Modern Orthodox Jewish prep school located on the Upper East Side of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It consists of a lower school , a middle school , and an upper school .The Ramaz Upper School is a college preparatory school...
(New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
), Two Charles Center
Charles Center
Charles Center is a highrise apartment building located in Baltimore, Maryland. The building stands 385 feet/117 meters tall and contains 30 floors. The building was constructed in 1969 by developers Conklin + Rossant....
(Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
), and the U.S. Navy Memorial at Market Square (Washington, DC). For 3R Architects, his work includes Tanzania's new capital at Dodoma
Dodoma
Dodoma , officially Dodoma Urban District, population 324,347 , is the national capital of Tanzania, and the capital of the Dodoma region. In 1973, plans were made to move the capital to Dodoma...
under the sponsorship of the United Nations. He served on New York City's Public Design Commission (formerly the Art Commission of the City of New York).
Artwork
Rossant paintedPainting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
all his life and exhibited with frequency (last in Paris, 2009). His sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
includes work publicly accessible on Washington Plaza along Lake Anne
Lake Anne
Lake Anne is a reservoir in the unincorporated suburban community of Reston in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA. Lake Anne is also the name of the village center that surrounds the lake. Lake Anne and its adjacent neighborhood are the nucleus of the original Reston development....
in Reston. He published Cities in the Sky in 2009, based on one of his longest series of architectural paintings. He also illustrated several cookbooks by his wife.
Teaching
Rossant taught architecture at the Pratt InstitutePratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
(1970–2005) and Urban Design
Urban design
Urban design concerns the arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, and in particular the shaping and uses of urban public space. It has traditionally been regarded as a disciplinary subset of urban planning, landscape architecture, or architecture and in more recent times has...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
's School of Public Administration (1975–1983). As lecturer, he visited the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
, Harvard University, the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and Columbia University.
Early life
Born in New York CityNew 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...
, Rossant grew up in the Bronx, where he attended the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
. He studied architecture at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, 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...
, and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's Graduate School of Design (under Walter Gropius
Walter Gropius
Walter Adolph Georg Gropius was a German architect and founder of the Bauhaus School who, along with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, is widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture....
). He served in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, then worked in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
with Gino Valle (designer of the Cifra 3
Cifra 3
The Cifra 3 is a clock designed by Italian architect Gino Valle in 1965 and is widely considered a masterpiece of industrial design. It uses a Split-flap display to display both hours and minutes...
clock). He married Colette Palacci
Colette Rossant
Colette Rossant is a French-American cookbook author, journalist, translator, and restaurateur.-Background:Rossant comes from the Palacci family, Sephardic Jews who moved from Spain to Italy to Istanbul to Cairo. Her great-grandfather owned lemon perfume factories in Upper Egypt and her...
while in Europe; the couple moved back the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His brother was the journalist Murray J. Rossant. James Rossant wrote a memoir which he published privately and shared with members of his family.
Death
Rossant died near CondeauCondeau
Condeau is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France....
in the Orne
Orne
Orne is a department in the northwest of France, named after the river Orne.- History :Orne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution, on March 4, 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Normandy and Perche.- Geography :Orne is in the region of...
portion of Le Perche
Perche
Perche is a former province of northern France extending over the départements of Orne, Eure, Eure-et-Loir and Sarthe, which were created from Perche during the French Revolution.-Geography:...
, Lower Normandy, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, of complications arising from long-term, chronic lymphonic leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
or CLL.
Surviving family
Rossant is survived by his wife Colette Rossant (food critic, cookbook author, memoirist); children Marianne Rossant (educator), Juliette RossantJuliette Rossant
Juliette Rossant is an American author, journalist, and poet, best known for her writings about top-grossing celebrity chefs about whom she first wrote for Forbes magazine and for whom she has defined the term Super Chef, also the title of her first book and of her online magazine.- Background...
(author and journalist), Cecile Rossant (author and architect), and Tomas Rossant (architect); and grandchildren. His nephew is John Rossant, executive chairman of PublicisLive. His cousin is British psychotherapist, Susie Orbach
Susie Orbach
Susie Orbach is a psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, writer, and social critic from London, UK.-Background:Orbach was born in London, in 1946, and was brought up in Chalk Farm, north London, the child of Jewish parents, British MP Maurice Orbach and an American mother...
.
See also
- DodomaDodomaDodoma , officially Dodoma Urban District, population 324,347 , is the national capital of Tanzania, and the capital of the Dodoma region. In 1973, plans were made to move the capital to Dodoma...
- Myriad Botanical GardensMyriad Botanical GardensThe Myriad Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the southwest corner of Reno and Robinson. The Gardens is home to multiple tiers of densely landscaped areas that surround a sunken lake...
- Two Charles CenterCharles CenterCharles Center is a highrise apartment building located in Baltimore, Maryland. The building stands 385 feet/117 meters tall and contains 30 floors. The building was constructed in 1969 by developers Conklin + Rossant....
- U.S. Navy Memorial
- Colette RossantColette RossantColette Rossant is a French-American cookbook author, journalist, translator, and restaurateur.-Background:Rossant comes from the Palacci family, Sephardic Jews who moved from Spain to Italy to Istanbul to Cairo. Her great-grandfather owned lemon perfume factories in Upper Egypt and her...
- Juliette RossantJuliette RossantJuliette Rossant is an American author, journalist, and poet, best known for her writings about top-grossing celebrity chefs about whom she first wrote for Forbes magazine and for whom she has defined the term Super Chef, also the title of her first book and of her online magazine.- Background...
- Susie OrbachSusie OrbachSusie Orbach is a psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, writer, and social critic from London, UK.-Background:Orbach was born in London, in 1946, and was brought up in Chalk Farm, north London, the child of Jewish parents, British MP Maurice Orbach and an American mother...
External links
- JamesRossant.com
- AIA New York Chapter
Obituaries
- Hyperion (May 2010)
- Pratt Institute (February 27, 2010)
- Architectural Record (January 12, 2010)
- Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (January 2010)
- Le Monde (December 26, 2009)
- ArtInfo (December 22, 2009)
- Polis (December 21, 2009)
- Boston Globe (December 20, 2009)
- Harvard Graduate School of Design (December 19, 2009)
- New York Times (December 19, 2009)
- Modern Capital (December 19, 2009)
- Super Chef (December 18, 2009)
- Herndon Observer (December 18, 2009)
- Restonian (December 16, 2009)
- Le Perchoir (December 15, 2009]
- Washington Business Journal (December 15, 2009)