Frances Halsband Facts for Kids

Frances Halsband (born October 30, 1943, in New York City) is an American architect and teacher. She is known for starting her own architecture firm, Kliment Halsband Architects, with Robert Kliment. This firm is famous for its work on bringing old buildings back to life, changing buildings for new uses, and planning large areas.

Some of their important projects include the plan for Brown University, the entrance to the Long Island Rail Road at 34th Street in New York City, the Visitor Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and a special surgery center in Uganda for Mount Sinai Health System. Her firm won the top award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1997 and the New York AIA Medal of Honor in 1998.

From 1991 to 1994, Frances Halsband was the head of the Pratt Institute School of Architecture. She has also taught architecture at many famous universities like Harvard University and Columbia University. She was the first woman to be president of the AIA New York and The Architectural League of New York. She also served as a commissioner for the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, which helps protect important old buildings.

In 2018, Halsband led a successful effort to change the rules for architects to prevent harassment and discrimination. She helped make sure architects work in a respectful and fair 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 in design from NewSchool of Architecture and Design.

Early Life and Education
What Her Firm Does
- Important Projects
Awards and Leadership Roles
Designs and Writings
- Illustrations
Buildings by Kliment Halsband Architects
- New York University Advanced Research Institutes
- SUNY College of Optometry Lobby & Center for Student Life & Learning
See also

Early Life and Education

Frances Halsband earned her first degree from Swarthmore College in 1965 and a master's degree from Columbia University in 1968. She often helped judge design awards and was the first woman president of AIA New York in 1991. She married Robert Kliment in 1971, and they had a son, Alexander, in 1979. They lived in New York City and Woodstock, New York. Robert Kliment retired in 2013 and passed away in 2017.

Frances Halsband became interested in architecture because her grandmother and mother were both involved in art. She first studied English at Swarthmore College but spent a lot of time with architecture students at the University of Pennsylvania. This made her change her major to art history. After Swarthmore, she decided to study architecture at Columbia University, where she met important people in the field. After finishing her studies, she worked for Mitchell Giurgola Architects, where Robert Kliment was her boss. In 1972, they decided to start their own architecture firm together.

What Her Firm Does

Frances Halsband's firm has worked on many different types of buildings and projects. Here are some of the names her firm has used over the years:

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

Here are some of the projects Frances Halsband was mainly in charge of:

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

Awards and Leadership Roles

Honors and Awards

Frances Halsband has received many awards for her work:

Honorary Doctor of Design, NewSchool of Architecture and Design – 2019
Engineering News Record 2018 Top 25 Newsmaker – 2019
AIA Firm Award, R.M.Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects – 1998
AIA New York Medal of Honor, R.M.Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects – 1997
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects – 1986

Community and Professional Leadership

She has also been a leader in many important groups:

She was on the executive committee for the AIA College of Fellows from 2019 to the present.
She advised Harvard University on design from 2005 to 2009.
She was president of the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild from 2008 to 2013.
She advised the board of trustees at Brown University on architecture from 2002 to 2013.
She chaired the AIA Committee on Design in 1999.
She was president of the AIA New York Chapter in 1992.
She founded the AIA New York Chapter Women in Architecture Leadership Network in 1991.
She was a commissioner for the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission from 1984 to 1987.
She was president of The Architectural League of New York from 1985 to 1989.

Teaching at Universities

Frances Halsband has shared her knowledge by teaching at many universities:

University of Maryland – 2009
University of Cincinnati – 2002
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – 2001
Ball State University – 1998–1999
University of California Berkeley – 1997
Pratt Institute School of Architecture, where she was the dean – 1991–1994
Columbia University – 1975–1978 and 1987
University of Pennsylvania – 1981
Harvard University – 1980
University of Virginia – 1979
Rice University – 1979
North Carolina State University – 1978

Designs and Writings

Illustrations

Frances Halsband has also illustrated books:

She illustrated Publishing: a writer's memoir by Gail Godwin in 2015.
She illustrated “Ulster County Ghosts” by Gail Godwin in 2014.
She illustrated Evenings at Five by Gail Godwin in 2003.

Buildings by Kliment Halsband Architects

New York University Advanced Research Institutes

This building for New York University has open floors that can be used in many ways. It offers different kinds of spaces for research, classrooms, and a conference center. The offices have glass walls, which allow for both interaction and privacy. There are open work areas and smaller offices that can be used for studying, classes, or workshops.

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

This project for the College of Optometry includes a large lobby and a student center. The spaces are designed with light colors and bright, non-glare lighting. The goal was to make the area feel welcoming and encourage students to interact with patients.

Frances Halsband facts for kids

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