John O. Merrill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John O. Merrill
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| Born | August 10, 1896 |
| Died | June 13, 1975 (aged 78) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Awards | 1950 Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) |
| Practice | Skidmore, Owings and Merrill |
John Ogden Merrill (born August 10, 1896 – died June 13, 1975) was an American architect and structural engineer. He helped design and build many important places. For example, he was a key person in creating the United States Air Force Academy campus. He also helped develop Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a secret town built during World War II. John Merrill was a partner at a famous international architecture company called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
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Early Life and Education
John Merrill was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He started studying at the University of Wisconsin in 1915. His studies were paused when he joined the military during World War I. He served as a captain in the coastal artillery.
After the war, in 1919, he went back to school. He earned a degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1921.
A Career in Architecture
Merrill began his architecture career at a firm in Chicago called Granger and Bollenbacher. By 1939, he became the main architect for the Midwest States for the Federal Housing Administration.
Joining Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
In 1939, John Merrill joined Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM). He helped make SOM a unique company where different experts worked together. This teamwork approach, called "total design," meant the firm handled everything for a project. They managed the design, engineering, landscaping, and even how cities were planned.
Merrill worked on several big military projects:
- Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Merrill was in charge of creating a secret research campus in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This secret town was built quickly as part of a huge government project during World War II.
- Okinawa Military Bases: From 1942 to 1946, Merrill worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He led the building of permanent U.S. military bases on the island of Okinawa, including Kadena Air Base.
- United States Air Force Academy: Merrill helped supervise the building of the new Air Force campus in Colorado. He traveled between Chicago and the Colorado Springs office to make sure everything went smoothly. He was also a spokesperson for the project. The academy's unique chapel, which looks like an accordion, is now a famous symbol.
John Merrill passed away in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on June 13, 1975. His death was reported in The New York Times.
Community Involvement
John Merrill was a respected member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 1937, he was the president of the Chicago Chapter of the AIA. He also helped update the building codes for Chicago in the late 1940s.
Outside of his work, Merrill supported environmental groups like Friends of the Earth. In 1969, he joined a campaign to encourage people not to buy fur coats or other items made from wild animal skins.
Honors and Awards
- Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), 1950. This is a special honor given to architects who have made important contributions to the profession.
