3/19/08

Holabird Film at AIA Chicago Offices - April 21st

Photo William Locke, 2008
Refreshments at 5:30 / Film at 6:00 / Discussion with John Holabird at 6:30
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite, #250
Free for Members / $10 for Non-Members
RSVP TO Judy Freeman 773-929-0329 or jrfree3500@aol.com

On Monday, April 21st, the SAH and AIA Chicago Chapters will partner to show a short documentary on the career of John Holabird. Produced and directed by filmmaker Karen Carter, the 20 minute piece was made in association with Holabird’s AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award. We are delighted that Mr. Holabird will be on-hand to answer questions.

John Augur Holabird was born in 1920 in Chicago, the son of architect John A. Holabird and grandson of William Holabird, founder of the firm Holabird and Roche (later Holabird and Root). He studied architecture at Harvard University where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1942 and his master's degree in 1948. Holabird's architectural work included the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, the Ravinia Pavilion and Restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois, and the Intramural Physical Education building at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.
We will also discuss the legacy of Holabird, et al and pending alterations to Riverside Plaza. Primer below.
HOLABIRD, ET AL (SIMONDS, ROCHE, ROOT)
As a primer to the Chapter’s upcoming program on John Holabird we are providing background on his “family firm”. Even though the last partner’s name changed 3 times – the firm’s extraordinary legacy of built designs from the last 127 years is astounding including:

Graceland Cemetery Plan Chapel (1888)
Fort Sheridan, 1890
Monadnock Building (South Half), 1893
Marquette Building, 1895
Gage Group Buildings, 1899
Oliver Building, 1907 & 1920
University Club of Chicago, 1909
Cook County Courthouse/Chicago City Hall, 1910
Soldier Field, 1924
Palmer House Hotel, 1927
333 North Michigan Building, 1928
Palmolive Building, 1929
Chicago Daily News Building, 1929 (pictured above)
Chicago Board of Trade Building, 1930
Foellinger Auditorium Addition, U of I Urbana 1985

In recent years, Holabird & Root has completed the major addition to the Chicago History Museum (then – Chicago Historical Society), the headquarters for Nicor Gas as well as projects for the Federal Reserve Bank, Motorola and the American Dental Association, among many others. - KB