“Architectural historian, Vincent Scully, has said that architecture is a

conversation between generations, carried out across time, and while you could

say that this is true of all forms of art and culture, in architecture the conversation

is the most conspicuous, the most obvious, and the most impossible to tune out”

- - PAUL GOLDBERGER IN WHY ARCHITECTURE MATTERS .

Edward Fairfax Neild, Sr. 1884-1955Graduated from Tulane, traveled

and studied extensively in Europe before returning to Shreveport. He worked alone until 1934 when he was joined by Dewey A. Somdal, and his son Edward F. Neild Jr. Somdal and Associates is a descendant of the Neild firm. Neild was the consulting architect for the rehabilitation of the White House during the Truman years as well as the lead architect for the Truman Presidential Library. Other buildings include Louisiana State Exhibit Bldg. in Shreveport, Caddo Parish Courthouse, The old B’Nai Zion Temple, Baton Rouge Jr. High, C.E. Byrd High School, Capital City Press Bldg.in B.R., Heidelberg Hotel, Hotel King in B.R., and several bldg. in historic district of Lake Charles, Auditorium and Library on La. Tech. Campus, Shreveport Municipal Bldg. Scottish Rite Cathedral, A.C. Steere Elementary School, Wray Dickinson Bldg. and in Alexandria the U.S.

Courthouse and Post Office.

2745 Fairfield

Theodore A. Flaxman 1901-1986Studied at Rice Univ., B. of

Architecture 1923, studied at Columbia Univ. His architectural practice was in Shreveport from 1926. He went to Europe in 1931 with the Wiener brothers to study the International Style and meet the architects who were the leaders of the style. He was greatly influenced by the work of Eric Mendelsohn. Flaxman designed the Masonic Temple 1936-37. It reflects a blend of modernism with expressionistic forms. Other structures which he contributed design are Long–Allen Bridge 1934, Booker T. Washington High School, Selber Bros., Shreve Memorial Library branches, Huey P. Long Hospital in Pineville, Eden

Garden School.

666 Slattery

William B. Wiener, Jr. 1936 -

641 Longleaf

Studied both physics and architecture at Cornell Univ. Upon graduation joined the Univ. of Pennsylvania and National Geographic under water archeological exploration, off coast of Turkey. After returning to the states, he practiced architecture for over 40 years at his father’s firm of: Wiener Morgan & O’Neal Architects. While there his role was that of concept designer to analyze the program and site to develop the solution. Among his most notable concepts were: Northwood Jr-Sr High School which was the first AC school for Caddo Parish. Then the “H” concept for the Shreveport Airport that was shown to other cities by Delta Airlines as an example of how an airport should function. He was also the designer for several branch banks and the Southfield high school addition. The Gulf States Region of the American Institute of Architects gave his first house design their highest award. Concurrently he served as Chairman of the Secretary of Interior’s Advisory Board on National Parks and Monuments under both Presidents Carter and Reagan. Upon Retiring from architecture he took up sculpture incorporating his design philosophy developed during the practice of architecture. You will see some of his sculpture as you walk along Longleaf Rd. Also while practicing architecture he was the impetuous to save many of Shreveport’s historic buildings and guided the effort to designate the McNeil Pump State as a National Landmark

1050 Ontario

William B. Wiener 1907-1981B. S. Univ. of Michigan and graduate

work at Columbia Univ. In 1933 he established an architectural firm in Shreveport. He and his brother Sam, were responsible for some of the most innovative work in America in the rather revolutionary International Style. They were both Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. His home on Longleaf Lane was a publishes award winning design. Throughout his career he has an unquenchable intellectual curiosity. His firm became Wiener Morgan & O’neal, which was noted for both its functional style and passive environmental design, which he demonstrated to the Caddo Parish School Board to illustrate the need for proper site orientation fro schools. This approach can be seen at J.S. Clark

and Woodlawn. Most notable was his concept for a

logical house design for our local climate. This modular environmental sensitive “T”

approach can be seen around town.He and his brother Sam, designed many

of the early shopping centers with the Big Chain as the anchor. The Kroger Co invited him to Cincinnati to show them how to design a better and more profitable center.

This home was built in 1925 by Mrs. N. M. Hancock, president of Omega Oil and Frederick Oil. The original architect is unknown. It was purchased by J. Pat Beaird in 1934. A series of three additions were made by Somdal & Assoc. to the original house

in 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s.

4290 Richmond

Samuel G. Wiener 1896-1977Born in Monroe and received Bachelor of

Architecture from Univ. of Michigan, Studied city planning under Eliel Saarinen in Finland and attended Atelier Gromont, Paris in 1922-1923. From 1923 to 1940 he was a

partner in the N.O. firm of Jones, Roessle, Olschner and Wiener. His work was exhibited in the Paris International Exposition in 1937 and at the Architectural League in New York.Early work in Shreveport includes the

First Presbyterian Church, Commercial National Bank, Frost Memorial School, American Bank in N.O., Team leader for the

LSU Medical Center, Municipal Auditorium, Bossier City Hall, Kings Hwy. Christian Church, United Gas Corp. Bldg., and schools. Most famous was the city of Shreveport’s incinerator which was chosen as one of the 25 best architectural designs East of the Rocky Mountains, and was the model for many incinerators world wide. He and his brother, Wm. B. Wiener were pioneers in contemporary architecture. They along with Theodore Flaxman went to Europe in the late twenties. Then he returned in 1931 to study and meet the architects: Le Corbusier,

Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe.

615 Longleaf

Richard Joseph Neutra 1892-1970

4740 Richmond 415 Sherwood

William B. Wiener 1907-1981 John F. Staub 1892-1981

6007 East Ridge

This project has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation. And: “This program received federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240

Native of Knoxville, Tennessee received a masters degree in architecture from MIT in 1916. He was principally a residential architect who designed traditional style homes with an eclectic influence. Upon graduation, he worked for Harrie T. Lindeberg in New York. Country Houses were the specialty of Lindeberg and his style, tradition, had a great influence on Staub. It was Lindeberg who suggested he locate in Houston. In Houston the Shady Side and River Oaks developments provided Staub with many projects. He was commissioned to design three homes in Shreveport, A. C. Glassel 1938, Ray J. O’Brien in 1939, J.L. Hargrove in 1955. Among other projects he designed many of the Buildings on the Rice campus and the M.D.Anderson Memorial Library on the Univ. of Houston campus. Staub was noted for his integration of the house with the environment. He defined the role of space, structure, and decoration in domestic architecture from the 20’s until his death.

Born in Vienna, Austria, worked briefly with Eric Mendelsohn in Berlin. Came to the United States met Frank Lloyd Wright in 1924 and worked with him on Taliesin in Wisconsin, worked with Schindler in California. Participated in MoMA in 1932 which was curated by Phillip Johnson. Commissioned by U.S. State Department to design the Embassy in Karachi. Famous for defining the real needs of his clients in contrast to other architects eager to impose their vision on a client. His domestic architecture was a blend of art, landscape, and practical comfort. His watercolors and drawings recently on exhibit in Los Angeles showed influences from such artists as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Awarded AIA Gold Medal in 1977 posthumously.

B. S. Univ. of Michigan and graduate work at Columbia Univ. In 1933 he established an architectural firm in Shreveport. He and his brother Sam, were responsible for some of the most innovative work in America in the rather revolutionary International Style. They were both Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. His home on Longleaf Lane was a publishes award winning design. Throughout his career he has an unquenchable intellectual curiosity. His firm became Wiener Morgan & O’neal, which was noted for both its functional style and passive environmental design, which he demonstrated to the Caddo Parish School Board to illustrate the need for proper site orientation fro schools. This approach can be seen at J.S. Clark and Woodlawn. Most notable was his concept for a logical house design for our local climate. This modular environmental sensitive “T” approach can be seen around town. He and his brother Sam, designed many of the early shopping centers with the Big Chain as the anchor. The Kroger Co invited him to Cincinnati to show them how to design a better and more profitable center.