Elsa Gidoni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elsa Mandelstamm Gidoni
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Elsa Mandelstamm
March 12, 1901 Riga, Latvia
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| Died | April 19, 1978 (aged 77) Washington, D.C.
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| Nationality | German-American |
| Education | Technische Hochschule in Charlottenburg, Berlin |
| Known for | Architecture |
| Movement | International Style |
| Spouse(s) | Alexander Gidoni, Alexis L. Gluckmann |
Elsa Mandelstamm Gidoni (born March 12, 1901 – died April 19, 1978) was a talented German-American architect and interior designer. She created many interesting buildings and spaces during her career.
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Elsa Gidoni's Early Life and Education
Elsa Mandelstamm was born in Riga, Latvia. Her father, Fayvush Mandelstamm, was a doctor. She began her studies at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg from 1916 to 1917. Later, in the mid-1920s, she studied at the Technical University in Berlin.
Starting Her Own Business
After finishing her studies, Elsa Gidoni opened her own company. From 1929 to 1933, she ran her own interior design firm. This means she helped people design the inside of their homes and buildings.
Moving to a New Country
In 1933, Elsa Gidoni left Berlin. This was because of big political changes happening in Germany at the time. She moved to Tel Aviv, a city in what is now Israel.
Designing in Tel Aviv
In Tel Aviv, Elsa Gidoni worked on many exciting projects. She designed a school focused on economics. She also helped plan the Swedish Pavilion at the Levant-Fair. This was a big event where countries showed off their products. She also designed a place called Café Galina.
The International Style
Many of Elsa Gidoni's buildings were in the International Style. This was a popular way of designing buildings after World War I. Buildings in this style often used new materials like steel and glass. They usually had flat roofs and smooth, plain surfaces. They also often had very little color.
Moving to the United States
In 1938, Elsa Gidoni left Tel Aviv. There was increasing conflict in the region. She then moved to New York City in the United States.
Working in New York
In New York, she first worked as an interior designer for a company called Heimer & Wagner. Later, she became a project designer. She worked for a famous architectural firm called Kahn & Jacobs.
Becoming a Member of the AIA
In 1943, Elsa Gidoni became a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This is a professional group for architects in the U.S. By 1960, she was one of only 260 women in the AIA. She was also one of only 12 women architects working in New York City at that time.
Family Life
Elsa Gidoni had an older sister named Margarita Mandelstamm Selinsky. Margarita was a talented violinist. Elsa Gidoni was married twice. Her second husband was Alexis L. Gluckmann, who was an engineer. Elsa Gidoni passed away in April 1978. She was 77 years old and died at her home in Washington, D.C.
Elsa Gidoni's Important Works
Here are some of the notable projects Elsa Gidoni worked on:
- Swedish Pavilion at the Levant Fair with Genia Averbuch, Tel Aviv, 1934
- Apartment house, Tel Aviv, 1937
- General Motors Futurama pavilion, 1939 World's Fair
- Research Library, 23 West 26th Street, New York
- Hecht Co Department Store, Ballston, Virginia
Images for kids
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Hecht Co Department Store, Ballston, Virginia
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See also
In Spanish: Elsa Gidoni para niños
