Minoru Yamasaki Papers

Accession Number: 
UP002108
Extent: 
38.25 linear feet (32 MB, 16 OS), 21 reels, 45 architecture

Minoru Yamasaki, (1912-1986), best known as the architect of the World Trade Center, New York City, was born into poverty as a second generation Japanese-American in Seattle, Washington. He put himself through the University of Washington and New York University to study architecture, worked in New York for several years, and eventually made his way to Detroit in 1945 where he established his home and his business. He eventually distinguished himself as one of the premier architects of the 20th century with his signature style - tall narrow windows, gothic inspired arches, and open ground level areas. His work in Michigan includes Temple Beth El, Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, and four buildings on the Wayne State University campus (College of Education, McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Helen L. De Roy Auditorium, Prentis Building). Other works include Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (1956), U.S. Science Pavilion, Seattle World’s Fair (1962), Century Plaza Towers, Los Angeles (1975), and Eastern Province International Airport, Saudi Arabia (1985).

The papers of Minoru Yamasaki include correspondence regarding projects, travel, communications with peers and associates, magazine exposure, invitations to speak, and professional organizations. Early architectural drawings, speeches and writings, photographs, awards and doctoral degrees, scrapbooks detailing the progress of his career, and various publications are also included.

Date: 
1915-2001, bulk 1955-1980
Attachment(click to download)
UP002108.pdfUP002108_guide.pdf108.12 KB