This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information and to make an appointment, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.
This collection primarily documents James S. Russell's writing process and consist of notes, drafts and research material for articles written for Architectural Record on architectural design, technology, and practice. The collection also includes notes and research materials for New York City development projects and general professional papers such as case studies, lecture notes, travel itineraries, press and promotional material obtained from events and architectural studios, and some early regional planning guidelines from city agencies. The collection contains the following three series:
Series I: Architectural Record
The primary component of the collection, the series is divided into three sub-series that were categorized based on Russell's roles at the magazine. Subseries 1: Essays are arranged chronologically by the title or subject of the assignments. Subseries 2: Special Projects focuses on the research and preparation of the three more extensive topics in his writing career: The 42nd Street Development, Times Square and Midtown Zoning; Workplace and Post 911 WTC and Lower Manhattan Development. Subseries 3: Editorial & Administrative contains notes, general correspondence and his editorial inputs to the issues' line-up and other features in the Magazine.
This series comprises of notes, drafts, correspondence, proofs, some contracts and agreements and a few final published version (in photocopies) of Russell's contribution to various publication. It is arranged by publication chronologically.
Series III: Professional Papers
The series contains files from other professional activities including researches and case studies, lecture notes, travel itineraries, press and promotional material obtained from events and architectural studios. Some early regional planning guidelines from city agencies are also included in the series.
1981-2005
The collection is composed of three series: Architectural Record, Other Publications, and Professional Papers.
This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information and to make an appointment, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.
Columbia University is providing access to the materials in the Library's collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of Columbia University is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For additional guidance, see Columbia University Libraries' publication policy.
In addition to permission from Columbia University, permission of the copyright owner (if not Columbia University) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distributions, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. Columbia University makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.
James S. Russell papers, 1981-2005, Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.
Source of acquisition--James S. Russell donated the papers in 2004/2005.
Columbia University Libraries, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
This collection was processed by Chialin Chou (Library Intern) under the supervision of Shelley Hayreh, Avery Archivist, in 2013.
2013-06-14 File created.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
James S. Russell is a writer, critic and former editor of Architectural Record who has written about cities, architecture, and environmental design since the 1980s.
Born on September 9, 1952 in Seattle, WA, Russell received his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design (BAED) at University of Washington in 1976, and Master of Architecture (MArch) at Columbia University in 1980. Before becoming a full-time writer, he practiced architecture with firms in New York City, Philadelphia, and Seattle. He is a registered architect in New York and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
Russell also contributes articles on architecture and design to numerous other publications, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, I.D., the Harvard Design Magazine, BusinessWeek, Details, and Vanity Fair, and is the author of The Agile City: Building Well Being and Wealth in a Climate Change Era, published by Island Press in May 2011. He is active with the Architectural League and the Municipal Arts Society, in New York, and taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Pennsylvania State University and the City College of New York.
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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