#9/Paul Rudolph: Gene Kaufman & Joe King

Jul 27, 2015

Paul Rudolph was not as well-known as Frank Lloyd Wright but he designed some of the most fascinating and creative Modernist buildings in America. While inspiring a generation of architects, the public generally does not warm to his large brutalist designs, finding the intense use of concrete and steel to be ugly and oppressive.  But hey, we love 'em, and today we welcome two passionate and willing-to-do-something-about-it architects who fight for Rudolph’s brilliant buildings from different parts of the country.

Gene Kaufman has designed over $1B of hotels in New York City.  In 2011, his firm Gene Kaufman Architect joined forces with the esteemed Modernist architecture firm Gwathmey Siegel; the result is Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman & Associates Architects.  Gene talks about his attempt to save a building you can’t check into for the night, the Goshen government complex designed by Paul Rudolph.

Joe King is an architect and contractor practicing in Bradenton FL.  With Christopher Domin, he is co-author of the book Rudolph: The Florida Houses.  He has owned several Rudolph houses and is re-creating Rudolph's famous Walker Guest House for a national tour.

Noah Goldstein, the ark-itect!  Why you don't want to see Joe King coming down the driveway with a crowbar!  And those damned hotel air conditioners that blow the curtains up!

Learn more about the people and topics mentioned in this episode: 

Paul Rudolph houses / Gene Kaufman / Rudolph: The Florida Houses / Paul Rudolph, rock star in Singapore / Yale Arts and Architecture building / Sarasota High School / Riverview High School / Rudolph Obituary / Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation / Sarasota MOD