Thomas Hubka
Encyclopedia
Thomas C. Hubka is an American architectural historian whose primary focus is vernacular architecture
and related issues of architecture
and cultural meaning.
Hubka received his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1969, and his Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) from the University of Oregon
in 1972. He taught at the University of Oregon from 1972 to 1983. Since 1987, he has been a professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Although Hubka is trained as an architect, he was an early advocate for widening architectural history
research to include vernacular architecture
. He is best-known for his work on connected farm buildings
in New England
. His book Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn was the 1985 winner of the "Abbott Lowell Cummings Award" of the Vernacular Architecture Forum
.
Hubka's research on eastern European synagogues, begun in the mid 1980s, addressed 18th century wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe emphasizing the relationships between Jewish culture and eastern European contextual factors. This research received significant funding support from the National Endowment for the Arts
and the National Endowment for the Humanities
, and led to his 2003 book, Resplendent Synagogue: Architecture and Worship in an Eighteenth-century Polish Community, which won the "Henry Glassie Award" of the Vernacular Architecture Forum
in 2006. The book also received an honorable mention from the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies
(AAASS)/Orbis Books prize committee in 2004.
In recent years Hubka has researched workers' housing in Milwaukee and other cities.
Hubka has served on the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Review Board, chairing its Architecture Committee.
The ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
) honored Hubka as an ACSA Distinguished Professor in 2010.
Vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it...
and related issues 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...
and cultural meaning.
Hubka received his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1969, and his Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1972. He taught at the University of Oregon from 1972 to 1983. Since 1987, he has been a professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Although Hubka is trained as an architect, he was an early advocate for widening architectural history
Architectural History
Architectural History is the main journal of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain .The journal is published each autumn. The architecture of the British Isles is a major theme of the journal, although it includes more general papers on the history of architecture. Member of...
research to include vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it...
. He is best-known for his work on connected farm buildings
Connected farm
A connected farm is an architectural design common in the New England Region of the United States, and England and Wales in the United Kingdom. North American connected farms date back to the 17th century, their British counterparts have also existed for several centuries...
in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. His book Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn was the 1985 winner of the "Abbott Lowell Cummings Award" of the Vernacular Architecture Forum
Vernacular Architecture Forum
The Vernacular Architecture Forum is a scholarly organization founded in 1980 to support the study and preservation of all aspects of vernacular architecture and landscapes. The organization has brought together scholars and practitioners from a wide variety of disciplines--geography, folklore,...
.
Hubka's research on eastern European synagogues, begun in the mid 1980s, addressed 18th century wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe emphasizing the relationships between Jewish culture and eastern European contextual factors. This research received significant funding support from the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
and the National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
, and led to his 2003 book, Resplendent Synagogue: Architecture and Worship in an Eighteenth-century Polish Community, which won the "Henry Glassie Award" of the Vernacular Architecture Forum
Vernacular Architecture Forum
The Vernacular Architecture Forum is a scholarly organization founded in 1980 to support the study and preservation of all aspects of vernacular architecture and landscapes. The organization has brought together scholars and practitioners from a wide variety of disciplines--geography, folklore,...
in 2006. The book also received an honorable mention from the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies
American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies
The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies is a scholarly society dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about the former Soviet Union and Eastern and Central Europe...
(AAASS)/Orbis Books prize committee in 2004.
In recent years Hubka has researched workers' housing in Milwaukee and other cities.
Hubka has served on the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Review Board, chairing its Architecture Committee.
The ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture is a 501 nonprofit, membership association founded in 1912 to advance the quality of architectural education in the United States and abroad....
) honored Hubka as an ACSA Distinguished Professor in 2010.
Writings
- Hubka, Thomas C., Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn: The Connected Farm Buildings of New England, University Press of New England, Hanover NH 1984, ISBN 0874513103
- Hubka, Thomas C., Resplendent Synagogue: Architecture and Worship in an Eighteenth-century Polish Community, Brandeis University Press, published by University Press of New England, Hanover NH 2003, ISBN 1584652160
- Hubka, Thomas C., and Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl, "H.H. Richardson: The Design of the William Watts Sherman House," Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 51/2 (June 1992), pages 121-145.
- Hubka, Thomas C., and Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl, “The East Elevation of the Sherman House, Newport, Rhode Island.” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 52/1 (March 1993), pages 88-90.
- Hubka, Thomas C., "H.H. Richardson's Glessner House: A Garden in the Machine," Winterthur Portfolio 24/4 (Winter 1989), pages 209-229.