Richard L. Crowther
Encyclopedia
Richard L. Crowther, FAIA
(1910 – December 26, 2006) was an architect and author who achieved international renown for his progressive holistic compositions, particularly his pioneering designs employing passive solar energy.
, and moved to San Diego, California
at age 21. He worked for a neon sign manufacturer and later employed neon
light as an architectural element and as ambient illumination. In 1948, Crowther moved to Denver, Colorado
, where he built ticket booths and renovated the ballroom at Lakeside Amusement Park
. He also began building energy-efficient homes in Denver.
Crowther designed the spacious, sleek-lined Cooper theaters in Denver, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
, and the Indian Hills Theater
in Omaha, Nebraska
. All were the first theaters designed around the Cinerama
film technology, with cushioned seats on curving risers. The original blueprints for the theater are in the Denver Public Library
Special Collections Department.
The first such theater, the Cooper Theater, in Denver, featured a 146-degree louvered screen (measuring a massive 105 feet by 35 feet), 814 seats, courtesy lounges on the sides of the theatre for relaxation during intermission (including smoking facilities), and a ceiling which routed air and heating through small vent slots in order to inhibit noise from the building's ventilation equipment. http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctcooper.htm. The other two theatres were built in a similar format, however, the last theatre, the Indian Hills Theater
had a slightly larger screen and other improvements.
Each element of the theaters was designed to enhance the Cinerama experience. The circular design took advantage of the discovery that patrons, if left to their own devices, would seat themselves in an oval pattern. The exterior circular shape served as a constant reminder to passing motorists that this was a Cinerama theater. The design included a cylindrical shape and a flat roof.
The base of the building exteriors consisted of black Roman brick
. The upper portion of the exteriors were clad in insulated Monopanels which were a burnt-orange color called "Swedish red."
His pioneering work in residential solar technology led to lectures at the Smithsonian Institution
, solar conferences and universities across the U.S. Crowther's architecture publications are still used to teach students. His "Sun-Earth" text has a reputation for setting a benchmark in holistic architecture design, with arguments outlining economic and environmental benefits. He practiced what he preached, both by living and working in holistically designed spaces, and by a diet replete with organic and natural foods.
In 2006, Crowther was interviewed by filmmaker Jim Fields
, for his documentary movie Preserve Me A Seat, about the grass-root failures and successes of activists working to preserve historic movie theaters in Boston, Chicago, Omaha and Salt Lake City.
The Cooper theaters and many of Crowther's other designs have been demolished. He particularly regretted seeing one of his energy-efficient homes expanded into a larger but inefficient showcase.
Crowther was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
.
FAIA
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects is a postnomial, designating an individual who has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects...
(1910 – December 26, 2006) was an architect and author who achieved international renown for his progressive holistic compositions, particularly his pioneering designs employing passive solar energy.
Career
Crowther was born in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, and moved to San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
at age 21. He worked for a neon sign manufacturer and later employed neon
Neon
Neon is the chemical element that has the symbol Ne and an atomic number of 10. Although a very common element in the universe, it is rare on Earth. A colorless, inert noble gas under standard conditions, neon gives a distinct reddish-orange glow when used in either low-voltage neon glow lamps or...
light as an architectural element and as ambient illumination. In 1948, Crowther moved to Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, where he built ticket booths and renovated the ballroom at Lakeside Amusement Park
Lakeside Amusement Park
Lakeside Amusement Park is a family-owned amusement park in Lakeside, Colorado near Denver. Originally named White City, it was opened in 1908 as a popular amusement resort adjacent to Lake Rhoda spearheaded by prominent Denver brewer Adolph Zang...
. He also began building energy-efficient homes in Denver.
Crowther designed the spacious, sleek-lined Cooper theaters in Denver, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,126 people, 20,782 households, and 10,557 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,122.5 persons per square mile . There were 21,140 housing units at an average density of 1,975.0 per square mile...
, and the Indian Hills Theater
Indian Hills Theater
The Indian Hills Theater in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, was built in 1962 as a movie theater showcasing films in the Cinerama wide-screen format. The theater's screen was the largest of its type in the United States...
in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. All were the first theaters designed around the Cinerama
Cinerama
Cinerama is the trademarked name for a widescreen process which works by simultaneously projecting images from three synchronized 35 mm projectors onto a huge, deeply-curved screen, subtending 146° of arc. It is also the trademarked name for the corporation which was formed to market it...
film technology, with cushioned seats on curving risers. The original blueprints for the theater are in the Denver Public Library
Denver Public Library
The Denver Public Library is the public library of the city of Denver, Colorado in the United States. Its administrative headquarters is on the 7th floor of the Central Library in Downtown Denver. , the library system had 2,519,977 items in its collection, and a library card base of 417,616 local...
Special Collections Department.
The first such theater, the Cooper Theater, in Denver, featured a 146-degree louvered screen (measuring a massive 105 feet by 35 feet), 814 seats, courtesy lounges on the sides of the theatre for relaxation during intermission (including smoking facilities), and a ceiling which routed air and heating through small vent slots in order to inhibit noise from the building's ventilation equipment. http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctcooper.htm. The other two theatres were built in a similar format, however, the last theatre, the Indian Hills Theater
Indian Hills Theater
The Indian Hills Theater in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, was built in 1962 as a movie theater showcasing films in the Cinerama wide-screen format. The theater's screen was the largest of its type in the United States...
had a slightly larger screen and other improvements.
Each element of the theaters was designed to enhance the Cinerama experience. The circular design took advantage of the discovery that patrons, if left to their own devices, would seat themselves in an oval pattern. The exterior circular shape served as a constant reminder to passing motorists that this was a Cinerama theater. The design included a cylindrical shape and a flat roof.
The base of the building exteriors consisted of black Roman brick
Roman brick
Roman brick can refer either to a type of brick originating in Ancient Rome and spread by the Romans to the lands they conquered; or to a modern type of brick, inspired by the ancient prototypes...
. The upper portion of the exteriors were clad in insulated Monopanels which were a burnt-orange color called "Swedish red."
His pioneering work in residential solar technology led to lectures at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, solar conferences and universities across the U.S. Crowther's architecture publications are still used to teach students. His "Sun-Earth" text has a reputation for setting a benchmark in holistic architecture design, with arguments outlining economic and environmental benefits. He practiced what he preached, both by living and working in holistically designed spaces, and by a diet replete with organic and natural foods.
In 2006, Crowther was interviewed by filmmaker Jim Fields
Jim Fields
James Wallace Fields is an American film director, producer, playwright and actor. Fields wrote, produced and directed the movies 416, Saving The Indian Hills, Preserve Me A Seat, Plain Living and, most recently Bugeaters, currently in production...
, for his documentary movie Preserve Me A Seat, about the grass-root failures and successes of activists working to preserve historic movie theaters in Boston, Chicago, Omaha and Salt Lake City.
The Cooper theaters and many of Crowther's other designs have been demolished. He particularly regretted seeing one of his energy-efficient homes expanded into a larger but inefficient showcase.
Crowther was a 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...
.
Books by Richard Crowther
(Partial list)- Ecological Architecture; Butterworth–Heinemann, 1992 ISBN 0750691719
- Sun, Earth: Alternative Energy Design for Architecture; Simon and Schuster paperback, 1983 ISBN 0442214987
- Affordable Passive Solar Homes: Low-Cost, Compact Designs; American Solar Energy Society, paperback ISBN 0916653005