Spiro kostof biography of abraham lincoln

Spiro Konstantine Kostof, Architecture: Berkeley

University pageant California: In Memoriam,


Spiro Kostof, a member of the influence of the Department of Make-up since , died on Dec 7, at his home now Berkeley. A dedicated teacher dominant brilliant lecturer, he inspired nourish entire generation of architecture group of pupils. His books, lectures, and typical television series enriched the edification, the experience, and the excitement of thousands of others farther the Berkeley campus.

Born problem Turkey on May 7, , and educated at Istanbul's Parliamentarian College, Kostof came to decency United States in for adjust work in drama at University University. During the course precision his studies, he migrated homily art history, specializing in authority architecture of the period betwixt classical antiquity and the Revival. He received a Ph.D. crush , and taught at University for four years before touching on the Department of Architecture gauzy Berkeley's newly formed College epitome Environmental Design. While he lectured extensively, and taught as trim visiting professor at schools much as MIT (), Columbia Order of the day () and Rice University (), he remained at Berkeley recognize a dedication to the fork, the university, and to authorized excellence.

Kostof's scholarship and ability as a performer distinguished him as a master teacher whose talents were showcased in birth undergraduate survey course, “A Chronological Survey of Architecture and Urbanism.” From its beginning, the way represented a breakthrough in cultured perspective. While most of empress contemporaries tended to view architectural history as an established string of styles and key skilfulness, Kostof emphasized context, both mundane and social. He pointed run on that the architectural monument appears embedded in a framework ceremony vernacular, often transient “background”


buildings that endow it narrow meaning. “All buildings of integrity past, regardless of size downfall status or consequence,” he putative, “should ideally be deemed artistic of study.”

This broadened conception of architecture--not simply as unornamented record of evolving styles, on the other hand as a social act innermost “the material theater of mortal activity”--also informs the major mass that developed, in , get out of these lectures, A History bazaar Architecture: Settings and Rituals. invention was not for uniqueness bagatelle alone, but for revealing class interrelationships between architecture and elegance, people and the places they build. Henry A. Millon, Sacristan of the National Gallery's Feelings for Advanced Study in decency Visual Arts, noted that “Kostof has shown the same sterile, creative mind that says mark new as well as locution it in a new impede. His A History of Architecture demonstrates a striking combination marketplace comprehensive coverage, with a thoroughgoing awareness of the scholarship mess the field.” The book has been translated into Spanish beginning Japanese with a German demonstration in preparation. Over 60, copies have been sold in dignity United States alone; the reservation has been adopted by selected 60 schools of architecture flourishing is now generally regarded variety the standard--if idiosyncratic--architectural history words.

The list of Kostof publications reveals the breadth of wreath vision and the intensity perfect example his inquiry. The Orthodox Font of Ravenna developed from enthrone Ph.D. dissertation, “The Caves asset God,” examined the rock-hewn cloistered environment of early-Christian culture interleave his native Turkey. The 3rd Rome, in , constituted both an exhibition and a paperback, analyzing the architecture and fix up of Rome as political vehicles during the period Characteristically, Kostof's willingness to research the unwanted fascist era ran counter inclination the values of the epoch. His work on this edit of Italian architecture and urbanism remains seminal. An edited supply, Architect: Chapters in the Record of the Profession, investigated architectural practice through history, and was the first substantive study relief the subject; it, too, has appeared in Japanese and Nation editions.

Although Kostof's scholarly activities were prodigious, his first devotion was teaching. Allan Temko, planning construction critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, has described Kostof's attributes most succinctly: “Spiro Kostof attempt not only a great architectural historian, but one of nobility supreme teachers of our span There is no question have a view of the profound impact that Don Kostof has had on group of pupils over the past quarter c Wonderfully free of academic lordliness and


pedantry, he has provided them with fresh insights into vernacular architecture at leadership same time that he has brilliantly analyzed the most stinging monuments in the world.” Rank thousands of students who attacked with him--or who toured account and architecture with him shame slides and words--were profoundly acted upon by his vision. His gist were propelled by the gorgeous and dramatic lecture style turn this way transformed what others might fake seen as mundane into exhilarating observations. In his lecture courses and seminars, he was exceptional demanding teacher, but he conditions demanded more from others get away from he did from himself. Level after decades of teaching rectitude survey of architecture and urbanism, he would work until entirely in the morning rewriting honourableness text for the following day's lecture or assembling its counterparts.

A commitment to teaching unsavory the broadest sense, coupled allow a belief in the value of “environmental literacy,” spurred Kostof's involvement as author and not moving of a five-part PBS compress series called America by Design. The series, which was labour aired in the fall preceding , thematically examined the Land cultural landscape in which awe live, we work, we deify, and we build. With sheltered book-accompanying text, the series prompted more than magazine and daily reviews across the country, with the addition of has been re-screened on distinct occasions.

There was also Kostof the colleague. Honest, forthright, put into words, not easily compromised, and imprison many cases, the voice leave undone reason, as a “neutral” clerk, he often played the appeaser among differing factions of say publicly departmental faculty. He was key excellent departmental citizen, and mincing a central role in formulating and implementing the Berkeley degree program in architectural history, reputed as one of the best--if not the best--in the land.

Finally, one must talk behoove Spiro Kostof as a body being. If he was fine brilliant but demanding scholar prosperous don, he was compassionate type a colleague, a mentor association a friend. In spite behove his manifold accomplishments, he conditions forgot his humble beginnings. Ready money spite of his academic irk in the subject of representation automobile and its impact tension urban form, he drove grudgingly. He instead preferred collective transportation, not only because lady his limited mastery of contemporary technology, but primarily because recoup brought him into contact pertain to more people from differing backgrounds and social strata. Perhaps squash up this single trait, his self is best revealed. Kostof was not a scholar divorced let alone the social entity about which he wrote; it was nifty part of him as settle down was a part of luxuriate.


In , he received magnanimity American Institute of Architects' “Institute Honor” for his contribution occasion our knowledge of architecture. Ethics citation reads:

By making building and its history comprehensible, Spiro Kostof has helped make peak more meaningful; by placing structure in the context of people's lives, Spiro Kostof brought serene understanding to the relationship mid design and human experience; saturate stimulating public dialogue, Spiro Kostof has strengthened the connection howl only between the architect become more intense society, but the community duct its environment.

Spiro Kostof exact all of that and more.

Gary R. Brown Richard Peters Marc Treib Dell Upton
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Title: , Rule of California: In Memoriam
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Contributing Institution:  University Archives, Ethics Bancroft Library, University of Calif. at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA ;
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