Lewis Pitcher
Encyclopedia
Lewis F. Pilcher, AIA
(1871 – 1941), was an American academic and architect active in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century New York City
. With William G. Tachau
, he was a partner of Pilcher and Tachau, the predecessor firm of Tachau and Vought
. He was a professor of art at Vassar College
in Poughkeepsie, New York. He subsequently was a state architect of New York
.
Through his connections at Vassar, Pilcher designed the eight-story North Residence (1907), renamed in 1915 as Jewett House. The structure is composed of a four-story U-shaped arms block, which frames a quad-side court, and is attached to a rear eight-story tower that incorporates a 30,000-gallon water tank. The structure extensively used steel and concrete structural components faced with red brick
and terracotta ornamentation. The high level of decorative work, including crenellations, grotesque terracotta faces and animals was incongruous to Vassar’s restrained red brick-with-sandstone-trim Quad dormitories and was nicknamed “Pilcher’s Crime.” The structure failed to attract donors who would have attached their name and it was instead renamed in honor of the college’s first president, Milo P. Jewett.
His partner, William G. Tachau
, went on to a more successful career in the architectural firm of Tachau and Vought
.
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...
(1871 – 1941), was an American academic and architect active in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century 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...
. With William G. Tachau
William G. Tachau
William G. Tachau, AIA, was an American architect active in early- to mid-twentieth-century New York City. With Lewis Pitcher, he was a partner in the architectural firm of Pitcher & Tachau from 1904 to 1919 when he established the firm of Tachau & Vought. Both firms from 1918 onward specialized...
, he was a partner of Pilcher and Tachau, the predecessor firm of Tachau and Vought
Tachau and Vought
Tachau and Vought was an American architectural firm active in the mid-twentieth-century New York City that specialized in mental hygiene hospitals. It was established in 1919 as the successor to the architectural firm of Pitcher and Tachau by William G. Tachau and Vought. By 1946, Vought had left...
. He was a professor of art at Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
in Poughkeepsie, New York. He subsequently was a state architect of 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...
.
Through his connections at Vassar, Pilcher designed the eight-story North Residence (1907), renamed in 1915 as Jewett House. The structure is composed of a four-story U-shaped arms block, which frames a quad-side court, and is attached to a rear eight-story tower that incorporates a 30,000-gallon water tank. The structure extensively used steel and concrete structural components faced with red brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
and terracotta ornamentation. The high level of decorative work, including crenellations, grotesque terracotta faces and animals was incongruous to Vassar’s restrained red brick-with-sandstone-trim Quad dormitories and was nicknamed “Pilcher’s Crime.” The structure failed to attract donors who would have attached their name and it was instead renamed in honor of the college’s first president, Milo P. Jewett.
His partner, William G. Tachau
William G. Tachau
William G. Tachau, AIA, was an American architect active in early- to mid-twentieth-century New York City. With Lewis Pitcher, he was a partner in the architectural firm of Pitcher & Tachau from 1904 to 1919 when he established the firm of Tachau & Vought. Both firms from 1918 onward specialized...
, went on to a more successful career in the architectural firm of Tachau and Vought
Tachau and Vought
Tachau and Vought was an American architectural firm active in the mid-twentieth-century New York City that specialized in mental hygiene hospitals. It was established in 1919 as the successor to the architectural firm of Pitcher and Tachau by William G. Tachau and Vought. By 1946, Vought had left...
.
Works
- Jewett House (1907, formerly North Residence before 1915)
- Troop C Armory in Brooklyn, New York
- The Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, New York