The Marcel Breuer Lectures Collection
Scope and Contents
The Marcel Breuer Lectures Collection is comprised of 17 lectures and writings by Marcel Breuer, both in manuscript and/or typescript form.
Dates
- Creation: 1941-1959
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Extent
.209 linear feet (collection)Biography
Marcel Lajos Breuer was born in Pécs, Hungary, on May 21, 1902. Starting in 1920 he attended the Bauhaus at Weimar, headed by Walter Gropius, and whose program would transform design education worldwide. Breuer graduated in 1924, and soon after Gropius appointed him as Bauhaus master and head of the carpentry workshop, where he stayed until 1928 (teaching both at Weimar and at Dessau). In 1931-1932 he travels throughout Italy, Spain, Greece and Morocco, and in 1933 he settles in Berlin to open his own architectural practice. He has to leave Germany, and from 1934 to 1937 he works in England, in partnership with F.R.S. Yorke. He emigrates to the United States in 1937 where he joins the faculty of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, where he will teach from 1938 to 1946. At Harvard he was an admired teacher, where he succeeded in interpreting the new design to a new generation of architects. Together with Gropius they set up an architectural practice, a partnership that would last from 1938 to 1941, when a controversy over the role of architecture distances them (while Gropius had a program for social reform, Breuer’s interests were mainly formal and technical). When he leaves Harvard, he moves to New York, where he continued his successful practice. Marcel Breuer died on July 1, 1981, in New York City.
Marcel Breuer is known worldwide both as a designer of furniture and as an architect. He did not belong to the generation of the founders of modernism, including Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier, but to the generation that immediately followed them. He was among the pioneers of the invention of the tubular steel chair, and by 1923 his furniture design was known for its modern language of pure geometrical form and simplicity of design, with an emphasis on structure. Among his chairs is the Wassily Chair (1925), and the cane-backed Cesca Chair (1928). Although he is best known for his furniture design and early architectural projects of single-family houses of the 1930s and 1940s, he practiced through the mid-1970s and was commissioned several larger buildings with a diversity of architectural programs. His early European works include Haselhorst Housing (Spandau, Germany, 1928), Elberfeld Hospital (Elberfeld, Germany, 1928), Kharkov Theater (Kharkov, Ukraine, 1931), Harnischmacher House (Wiesbaden, Germany, 1932), Dolderthal Apartments (Zurich, Switzerland, 1934), and House at Angmering-on-Sea (Sussex, England, 1936; with F.R.S. Yorke).
In the United States he initially devoted himself to the design of single family houses. His work in association with Gropius reveals interests in standardization, mass production, construction techniques, typology, simple plans, free circulation, and interior walls reduced to light-weight partitions. The early houses include: Breuer House, (Lincoln, Massachusetts, 1939), Fischer House, (Newton, Pennsylvania, 1938), Haggerty House (Cohasset, Massachusetts, 1938), Ford House (Lincoln, Massachusetts, 1939). Among Breuer’s houses made of prefabricated elements, are the Yankee Portables and Plas-2-Point, that were capable of being disassembled. His later houses include Geller House, (Lawrence, Long Island, New York, 1945), Robinson House (Williamstown, Massachusetts, 1947), Tompkins House, (Hewlett Harbor Village, Long Island, New York 1946), Breuer House (New Canaan, Connecticut, 1947), Caesar House (Lakeville, Connecticut, 1951), Neumann House (Croton-on-Hudson, New York, 1953), and Hanson House (Lloyd Harbor, Huntington, Long Island, New York, 1950), among others. His later works include the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York, New York, 1963-1964) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Washington D.C., 1963-1968).
Arrangement
The arrangement of the collection follows the original order of files received. Lectures have been included in a single series, and are numbered A001 through A017.
Acquisition Information:
Gift from GSD alumnus, 1997.
Processing Information
Processed by Inés Zalduendo.
Personal Names Index
- Albers, Josef -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Breuer, Marcel, 1902-1981 -- Lectures
- <ptr xlink:title="(Collection), " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00001" xlink:title="A000" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Breuer, Marcel, 1902-1981 -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00002" xlink:title="A001, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00004" xlink:title="A003, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00005" xlink:title="A004, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00015" xlink:title="A014, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00016" xlink:title="A015, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00017" xlink:title="A016, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Breuer, Marcel, 1902-1981 -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00006" xlink:title="A005, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00007" xlink:title="A006, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00010" xlink:title="A009, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00011" xlink:title="A010, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00013" xlink:title="A012, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00014" xlink:title="A013" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Doesburg, Theo van, 1883-1931 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Gropius, Walter, 1883-1969 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Gropius, Walter, 1883-1969 -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- Itten, Johannes, 1888-1967 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Miró, Joan, 1893-1983 -- Typescripts
- des00023c00014
- A013
- Moholy-Nagy, László, 1895-1946 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Mondrian, Piet, 1872-1944 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Nervi, Pier Luigi -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00018
- A017
- Oud, J. J. P. (Jacobus Johannes Pieter), 1890-1963 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Rietveld, Gerrit Thomas, 1888-1964 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Sullivan, Louis H., 1856-1924 -- Typescripts
- des00023c00011
- A010
- Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
Corporate Names Index
- Architectural League -- Typescripts
- des00023c00014
- A013
- Art Association of Indianapolis -- Typescripts
- des00023c00013
- A012
- Bauhaus -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00005" xlink:title="A004, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00017" xlink:title="A016" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Bauhaus Chair -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Black Mountain College -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Boulder Dam, see Hoover Dam -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Chicago Designers -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Eiffel Tower -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Federal Housing Authority -- Typescripts
- des00023c00008
- A007
- Finnish Pavilion -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- Ford River Rouge Plant -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- George Washington Bridge -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- George Washington Bridge -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Harvard University. Graduate School of Design -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Harvard University. Graduate School of Design -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Hoover Dam -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Japanese Pavilion -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- Museum of Modern Art (New York) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00004
- A003
- Museum of Modern Art (New York) -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00014" xlink:title="A013" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Pont Transporteur Marseilles -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Tour Eiffel -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Yale University -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
Conference Names Index
- Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937) -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- World Exposition, Paris (1937), see Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937) -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
Titles Index
- [Art Education] -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- [Basic Components of Architecture] -- Typescripts
- des00023c00013
- A012
- [Furnishing and the Contemporary House] -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- [History of Modern Architecture] -- Typescripts
- des00023c00007
- A006
- [Modern Architecture] -- Typescripts
- des00023c00008
- A007
- [On Selection] -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- [Physical Planning] -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00015
- A014
- [The Direct Approach] -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- [The New Architecture] -- Typescripts
- des00023c00006
- A005
- [The New Architecture Through a Few Examples] -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- [What Makes Architecture Modern] -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- [Writings] -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00018
- A017
- Analysis of Planning -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Analysis of Planning -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Better and Smaller Lighting -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00004
- A003
- L'Esprit Nouveau -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Must Architecture Be Sterile? -- Typescripts
- des00023c00014
- A013
- Notes on Architecture -- Typescripts
- des00023c00011
- A010
- Speech on the Occasion of the Exhibit of Pier Luigi Nervi's Work at the Architectural League -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00018
- A017
- Stijl -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
LC Topical Headings Index
- Architects -- Lectures -- Lectures
- (Collection)
- Architects -- United States -- Lectures
- (Collection)
- Architects -- Writings -- Lectures
- (Collection)
- Architecture, Modern -- 20th century -- Archival resources -- Lectures
- (Collection)
- Architecture, Modern -- 20th century -- United States -- Lectures
- (Collection)
Geographic Names Index
- Argentina: Buenos Aires -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Argentina: Buenos Aires -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- England: Bath -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00015
- A014
- France: Paris -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00005" xlink:title="A004, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00015" xlink:title="A014, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00017" xlink:title="A016" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- France: Paris -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- Germany: Weimar -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Greece: Crete: Knossos -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Holland: Amsterdam -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Spain: Madrid -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00015
- A014
- United States -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
Genre / Form Index
- Diagrams /
- <ptr target="des00023c00002" xlink:title="A001, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Lectures /
- <ptr xlink:title="(Collection), " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00001" xlink:title="A000, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00002" xlink:title="A001, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00004" xlink:title="A003, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00005" xlink:title="A004, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00006" xlink:title="A005, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00007" xlink:title="A006, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00010" xlink:title="A009, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00011" xlink:title="A010, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00013" xlink:title="A012, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00014" xlink:title="A013, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00015" xlink:title="A014, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00016" xlink:title="A015, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00017" xlink:title="A016, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Manuscripts /
- <ptr target="des00023c00002" xlink:title="A001, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00004" xlink:title="A003, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00005" xlink:title="A004, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00015" xlink:title="A014, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00016" xlink:title="A015, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00017" xlink:title="A016, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Sketches /
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Speeches /
- <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00015" xlink:title="A014, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00016" xlink:title="A015, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Typescripts /
- <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00006" xlink:title="A005, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00007" xlink:title="A006, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00010" xlink:title="A009, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00011" xlink:title="A010, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00013" xlink:title="A012, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00014" xlink:title="A013, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Writings (document genre) /
- des00023c00001
- A000
AAT Terms Index
- Aesthetics -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- Aesthetics -- Typescripts
- des00023c00006
- A005
- Architects -- Typescripts
- des00023c00007
- A006
- Architectural education -- Typescripts
- des00023c00007
- A006
- Architecture (discipline) -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00002" xlink:title="A001, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Architecture (discipline) -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00006" xlink:title="A005, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00007" xlink:title="A006, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00011" xlink:title="A010, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00014" xlink:title="A013" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Architecture (discipline)012344782 -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Art (fine art) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Art education -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Building materials -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Building materials -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00010" xlink:title="A009" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Building programs -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Building programs -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Buildings (structures) -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00013" xlink:title="A012" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Chairs -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Children -- Typescripts
- des00023c00008
- A007
- Clients -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Clients -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Composition (artistic arrangement) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Construction (assembling) -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00002" xlink:title="A001, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Construction (assembling) -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00006" xlink:title="A005, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00010" xlink:title="A009" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Coordinating -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00007" xlink:title="A006, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Cottages -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Designs (concepts) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Designs (concepts) -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Diagrams -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Diagrams -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- Exhibitions -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00004
- A003
- Experimentation -- Typescripts
- des00023c00014
- A013
- Families -- Typescripts
- des00023c00008
- A007
- Flexibility -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Functionalism -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- Furniture -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Houses -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00012" xlink:title="A011, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00016" xlink:title="A015" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Houses -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Housing -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- Housing (concept) -- Manuscripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00015" xlink:title="A014, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00018" xlink:title="A017" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Imagination -- Typescripts
- des00023c00014
- A013
- International Style (modern European architecture style) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- Lamps (lighting devices) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00004
- A003
- Lighting -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00004
- A003
- Lighting fixtures -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00004
- A003
- Media (artists' materials) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00005
- A004
- Modern Movement -- Typescripts
- des00023c00010
- A009
- Organic architecture -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- Secession Movement -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00017
- A016
- Selection (analytical function) -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- Simplicity -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00009" xlink:title="A008, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00010" xlink:title="A009" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- space (composition concept) -- Typescripts
- des00023c00006
- A005
- Space (composition concept) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Space (composition concept) -- Typescripts
- <ptr target="des00023c00003" xlink:title="A002, " xlink:type="simple"></ptr> <ptr target="des00023c00008" xlink:title="A007" xlink:type="simple"></ptr>
- Standardization -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Structure (attributes) -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00018
- A017
- Studio apartments -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Synthesis -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00012
- A011
- Texture -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- Traffic -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00015
- A014
- Typology -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00016
- A015
- Urban planners -- Typescripts
- des00023c00007
- A006
- Urban planning -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00015
- A014
- Urban planning -- Typescripts
- des00023c00007
- A006
- Use -- Manuscripts
- des00023c00002
- A001
- Use -- Typescripts
- des00023c00003
- A002
- World's fairs -- Typescripts
- des00023c00009
- A008
- World wars -- Typescripts
- des00023c00007
- A006
- Title
- The Marcel Breuer Lectures Collection
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Special Collections, Frances Loeb Library. Harvard University, Graduate School of Design
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- des00023
Repository Details
Part of the Frances Loeb Library Repository
The archival collections at GSD consist of primary source materials that further academic research in the design fields both within the GSD and beyond Harvard University. These materials, individually and collectively, offer engaging documentation of design history, theory, and practice. For further information, please visit: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/gsd/archives
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