Frances Halsband facts for kids

Frances Halsband is an American architect and teacher. She was born on October 30, 1943, in New York City.

Frances Halsband helped start a design company called Kliment Halsband Architects with Robert Kliment. This company is famous for its work on old buildings. They are good at saving historic places and changing them to be useful for new things. They also plan how large areas of land should be developed.

Some of their important projects include the plan for Brown University's campus and the entrance to the Long Island Rail Road at 34th Street. They also designed the Visitor Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Their work even includes a surgery center in Uganda for Mount Sinai Health System.

Her company won big awards, like the AIA Firm Award in 1997 and the New York AIA Medal of Honor in 1998.

Frances Halsband was also the dean of the Pratt Institute School of Architecture from 1991 to 1994. She taught at many famous universities, including Harvard University and Columbia University. She was the first woman to be president of AIA New York. She also served on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

In 2018, Frances Halsband led a successful effort to change the rules for architects. She helped make sure that the AIA Code of Ethics would stop harassment and discrimination. This change helps create a respectful and fair work environment. Because of this important work, she was named one of Engineering News-Record's Top 25 Newsmakers. In 2019, she received an honorary degree from NewSchool of Architecture and Design.

Early Life and Education

Frances Halsband earned her first degree from Swarthmore College in 1965. She then received a master's degree from Columbia University in 1968.

Her interest in architecture began because her grandmother and mother were both involved in art. She first studied English in college. Later, she became interested in architecture students at another university. This led her to switch her major to art history.

After college, she decided to study architecture at Columbia University. There, she met important people in the field. After finishing her studies, she started working at Mitchell Giugola Architects. She worked for Robert Kliment there. In 1972, they decided to start their own architecture firm together.

Frances Halsband and Robert Kliment were married in 1971. Their son, Alexander, was born in 1979. They lived in both New York City and Woodstock, New York. Robert Kliment retired from their company in 2013 and passed away in 2017.

Her Work as an Architect

Frances Halsband has been a key part of several architecture firms. She started her own company with Robert Kliment in 1972.

• Kliment Halsband Architects, New York, New York – 2008–present
• R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects, New York, New York – 1978–2008
• R.M. Kliment Architect, New York, New York – 1972–1977
• Mitchell/Giurgola Architects, New York, New York -1968–1972

Important Projects

Frances Halsband has been a main architect for many projects. Here are some of them:

• Arcadia University Commons in Glenside, Pennsylvania (2012)
• Arcadia University Landman Library in Glenside, Pennsylvania (2003)
• Avalon Morningside near the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, New York (2008)
• Brown University Strategic Framework for Physical Planning in Providence, Rhode Island (2003/2009)
• Dartmouth College Roth Center for Jewish Life in Hanover, New Hampshire (1998)
• Friends Seminary in New York, New York (2019)
• Johns Hopkins University Gilman Hall in Baltimore, Maryland (2010)
• Long Island Railroad Entrance at Pennsylvania Station in New York, New York (1994)
• Mount Sinai Ambulatory Surgery Facility in Kyabirwa, Uganda, Africa (2019)
• University of Chicago Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society in Chicago, Illinois (2015)
• University of Massachusetts Amherst South College in Amherst, Massachusetts (2017)
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center in Hyde Park, New York (2004)
• Zen Mountain Monastery Sangha House in Mt. Tremper, New York (2013)

Awards and Leadership Roles

Frances Halsband has received many honors for her work. She has also held important leadership positions in the architecture world.

Honors and Awards

• Honorary Doctor of Design from NewSchool of Architecture and Design – 2019
• Engineering News Record 2018 Top 25 Newsmaker – 2019
• AIA Firm Award for R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects – 1998
• AIA New York Medal of Honor for R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects – 1997
• Became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects – 1986
• Chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows - 2023

Community and Professional Boards

Frances Halsband has served on many important boards and committees. These roles help guide the architecture profession and support various organizations.

• AIA College of Fellows executive committee – 2019–present
• Harvard University, Design Review Panel – 2005–2009
• Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, board of directors (president 2008–2013) – 2003–present
• Brown University, architect advisor to the board of trustees – 2002–2013
• Chair of the AIA Committee on Design – 1999
• U.S. Department of State Office of Foreign Buildings Operations Architectural Advisory Board – 1998–2003
• Smith College, architect advisor to the board of trustees – 1998–2003
• U.S. General Services Administration National Register of Peer Professionals – 1998–2010
• ACSA, northeast regional director – 1993–1995
• Federal Reserve Bank Architectural Review Panel – 1993–2009
• President of AIA New York Chapter – 1992
• Founder of AIA New York Chapter Women in Architecture Leadership Network – 1991
• Commissioner for the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission – 1984–1987
• New York State Council on the Arts, Architecture Panel – 1980–1983
• The Architectural League of New York (president 1985–1989) - 1975–present

Teaching Positions

Frances Halsband has also held many teaching positions at universities. She has shared her knowledge and experience with future architects.

• University of Maryland, Kea Visiting Distinguished Professor – 2009
• University of Cincinnati, visiting professor, Neihoff Studio – 2002
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Plym Professor – 2001
• Ball State University, Emens Distinguished Professor – 1998–1999
• University of California Berkeley, Howard A. Friedman Visiting Professor – 1997
• Pratt Institute School of Architecture, dean – 1991–1994
• Columbia University, visiting critic in design – 1987, 1975–1978
• University of Pennsylvania, visiting critic in design – 1981
• Harvard University, visiting critic in design – 1980
• University of Virginia, visiting critic in design – 1979
• Rice University, visiting critic in design – 1979
• North Carolina State University, visiting critic in design – 1978

Writings and Illustrations

Frances Halsband has written articles and illustrated books.

Published Writings

• “Not a Park.” In Maintaining: Public Works in the Next New York. New York, New York: Urban Design Forum, 2019.
• “A Different Kind of Place,” Faith & Form: The Interfaith Journal on Religion, Art, and Architecture, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2019
• “Reverence and Reconstruction,” Faith & Form: The Interfaith Journal on Religion, Art, and Architecture, Vol. 50, No. 2, 2017
• “Living and Learning: The Campus Redefined,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 28, 2006
• “Charles Klauder’s Brilliant Invisible Hand.” The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 25, 2005
• “Campuses in Place” In Places Journal: Considering the Place of Campus, Vol. 17, Issue 1, Winter 2005
• "Introduction to The Inhabited Landscape: An Exhibition,” Places Journal, Volume 4/4, 1988

Illustrations

• Halsband, Frances (Illustrator), Publishing: a writer's memoir, by Gail Godwin, Bloomsbury, 2015
• Halsband, Frances (Illustrator), “Ulster County Ghosts,” by Gail Godwin, Kingston: The IBM Years, The Friends of Historic Kingston/Black Dome Press, Delmar New York, 2014
• Halsband, Frances, (Illustrator), Evenings at Five, by Gail Godwin, Ballantine Books, 2003.

Projects by Kliment Halsband Architects

New York University Advanced Research Institutes

The New York University Advanced Research Institutes building has open floors. These floors create many new spaces for research teams to work together. They also have shared classrooms for the university and a conference center. The offices have glass walls, which allow for both interaction and privacy. The building offers open work areas and smaller offices. These can be used for studying, classes, or workshops.

SUNY College of Optometry Lobby & Center for Student Life & Learning

The College of Optometry project included a large lobby and a student center. The lobby is about 10,517 square feet. The student center is about 14,985 square feet. Both spaces use light colors and bright, non-glare lighting. The design makes the space feel welcoming. It also encourages students to interact with patients.

See also

In Spanish: Frances Halsband para niños