My Paul Rudolph Memory - November 19, 2019
INTRODUCTION
The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture is always interested in communicating with Paul Rudolph’s former employees, students, and clients - and several have graciously shared what Rudolph meant to them. We are grateful to Preston T. Phillips for sharing the below memoir.
Preston T. Philips is a graduate of the architecture program at Auburn University, and worked for Paul Rudolph in the mid-1970's. Achieving his professional license in 1977, he started his practice based in Manhattan (though his clients were all over the country) - and then establishing his Bridgehampton-based firm in 1984. Known for carefully crafted and individually conceived residences, his firm has completed scores of projects on Long Island's East End. Each design gives careful attention to his client's design program, environmental concerns, and budgetary guidelines. As a result, the he has enjoyed considerable success, and repeat business from its many clients - and a nationally-recognized reputation via magazine, book and television coverage (including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, A & E, The Travel Channel, Hampton Cottages & Gardens, and Southern Accents.) Their projects have ranged in in size from a small 1,000 square foot beach house to large ocean-front homes, and his work has included LEED certified townhouses, historic preservation, as well as retail and corporate design.
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My Paul Rudolph Memory
By Preston T. Phillips
My Love affair with Paul Rudolph began in my 4th year of Architectural study at Auburn University in 1971. I call it a love affair because once I experienced his Tuskegee Chapel first hand I was smitten.
I had heard about The Chapel at Tuskegee for sometime before taking the 18 mile drive between Auburn and Tuskegee Institute. I arrived completely uninitiated as to what to expect. What lie before me was a life changing experience.
Entering through an unlocked door at the rear of the building, and well below The Chapel proper, I walked through a labyrinth of spaces, bridges, and balconies, unsure of where I was going, which culminated by ascending a staircase which ended in The Chapel Sanctuary under a soaring roof, with skylights and coffered and multi colored windows towering above me. I stood for untold minutes in astonishment. I was stunned, and low these many decades since, I am still in awe of the experience.
Fast forward to my Senior year in 1972, when I was on a committee to bring distinguished speakers to the Auburn campus, including but not limited to, Senator Teddy Kennedy, Senator Barry Goldwater, Feminist Betty Friedan, TV News anchor Roger Mudd, Activist William Kunstler, and my personal request, Architect Paul M Rudolph.
Mr. Rudolph, a graduate of Auburn, was a natural choice as Auburn's Architecture Schools most distinguished alumni, but I had an ulterior motive, to introduce myself as his newest assistant. He visited the various upper class design studios and gave critical analysis and commentary on the various student work, but it was at a dinner hosted by the Architecture Dean, and attended by both faculty and students of note, that I waited for the right moment to initiate my plan.
We had exchanged pleasantries earlier in the day, and it was predetermined that I would drive Mr. Rudolph back to the Atlanta airport after the dinner, so I was seated next to him at dinner.
After much small talk, Mr. Rudolph turned to me, and quite unexpectedly asked what my plans were after graduation in the Spring. Without hesitation, and with a voice heard by all in attendance, I said quite confidently that I was coming to New York to work for him. Forks dropped around the table....
I had planned to broach the subject on the 90 minute drive to the Atlanta airport, but this opportunity was too perfect a script to pass up. He demurred given the circumstances, and provided a myriad of reasons that it was not as easy as it sounded including the expense of moving to New York, forget the expense of living there, and the low wages to be expected as an intern in his atelier, but I was undeterred.
Fast forward again to 1974 and after numerous entreaties, including a visit to his office where he took me to lunch at The Oyster Bar at the nearby Plaza Hotel (High Cotton for a 23 year old southern boy), I stopped by unannounced upon returning from a 6 week Fellowship abroad to study the life of Petrarch. He had just lost his right, or in my case left hand assistant, and if I could start the day after Labor Day the job was mine. This was mid August, so basically I had 10 days to return to my home in Pensacola, FL from 6 weeks abroad, pack up and move to New York.
Suffice to say I was in his office the day after Labor Day, and enjoyed everyday of the next 3 years working at his elbow. His left elbow as it turned out as that is where the pencil sharpener was, and when he needed a blue, or red, or orange colored pencil, it was my assignment to have it at the ready.
It may well have been the best 3 years of my life......
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