Welcome to the Archives of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture. The purpose of this online collection is to function as a tool for scholars, students, architects, preservationists, journalists and other interested parties. The archive consists of photographs, slides, articles and publications from Rudolph’s lifetime; physical drawings and models; personal photos and memorabilia; and contemporary photographs and articles.
Some of the materials are in the public domain, some are offered under Creative Commons, and some are owned by others, including the Paul Rudolph Estate. Please speak with a representative of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture before using any drawings or photos in the Archives. In all cases, the researcher shall determine how to appropriately publish or otherwise distribute the materials found in this collection, while maintaining appropriate protection of the applicable intellectual property rights.
In his will, Paul Rudolph gave his Architectural Archives (including drawings, plans, renderings, blueprints, models and other materials prepared in connection with his professional practice of architecture) to the Library of Congress Trust Fund following his death in 1997. A Stipulation of Settlement, signed on June 6, 2001 between the Paul Rudolph Estate and the Library of Congress Trust Fund, resulted in the transfer of those items to the Library of Congress among the Architectural Archives, that the Library of Congress determined suitable for its collections. The intellectual property rights of items transferred to the Library of Congress are in the public domain. The usage of the Paul M. Rudolph Archive at the Library of Congress and any intellectual property rights are governed by the Library of Congress Rights and Permissions.
However, the Library of Congress has not received the entirety of the Paul Rudolph architectural works, and therefore ownership and intellectual property rights of any materials that were not selected by the Library of Congress may not be in the public domain and may belong to the Paul Rudolph Estate.
LOCATION
Address:
City: Lyford Cay, Nassau
State:
Zip Code:
Nation: Bahamas
STATUS
Type: Residence
Status: Project
TECHNICAL DATA
Date(s): 1969
Site Area:
Floor Area:
Height:
Floors (Above Ground):
Building Cost:
PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Client: Richard Chadwick Pistell (1927-1979) and Louise Dale Pistell (1928-2006)
Architect: Paul Rudolph
Associate Architect:
Landscape:
Structural:
MEP:
QS/PM:
SUPPLIERS
Contractor:
Subcontractor(s):
Pistell Residence
Richard Chadwick Pistell (1927-1979), described as a "a rough-and-tumble former merchant seaman," began his investment and finance business career as a financial analyst and investment banker on Wall street as a very young man, eventually owning his own firms, and participating in the initial underwriting for such companies as the Mary Carter Paint Company, Capital Cities Television, and Occidental Petroleum. He also serves on the boards of directors of several publicly held corporations. At the time of the commission, he is the chairman of General Host Corp, a $200 million company, and married to Louise Dale Pistell (1928-2006).
The project is to design a home for the Pistells in Lyford Cay, a private gated community located on the western tip of New Providence Island in The Bahamas.
In 1969, General Host reports a $67.3 million loss due in large part to an ill-advised acquisition that Pistell oversaw, leading to Pistell's subsequent resignation.
Pistell, who is also in the midst of a much publicized divorce from Louise Dale Pistell (1928-2006), ultimately decides to cancel the Rudolph-designed project. Richard Pistell later marries Helen Carroll McDaniel Dexter Portage Carey-Hughes Pistell (1924-2015).
Richard Pistell dies in 1979 in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Had it been built, it would have been the first and only residence designed by Paul Rudolph in the Bahamas.
DRAWINGS - Design Drawings / Renderings
DRAWINGS - Construction Drawings
DRAWINGS - Shop Drawings
PHOTOS - Project Model
PHOTOS - During Construction
PHOTOS - Completed Project
PHOTOS - Current Conditions
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
RELATED DOWNLOADS
PROJECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Chronological List of Works by Paul Rudolph, 1946-1974.” Architecture and Urbanism, no. 49, Jan. 1975.
“Pistell Residence.” Architecture and Urbanism, no. 80, Jan. 1977, pp. 73–75.