Stanley Tigerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stanley Tigerman
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| Born | September 20, 1930 |
| Died | June 3, 2019 (aged 88) |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Yale University (MArch) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Stanley Tigerman (September 20, 1930 – June 3, 2019) was an American architect, a deep thinker about design (a theorist), and a designer. He was known for his unique buildings and ideas.
Contents
About Stanley Tigerman
His Early Life
Stanley Tigerman was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1930. He was the only child of Emma, who worked for the government, and Samuel, an engineer. His family faced challenges during the Great Depression, a time when many people struggled to find work.
Stanley grew up in his grandparents' boardinghouse. When he was a baby, he won a "beautiful baby" contest at the 1933 World's Fair! As a child, he loved music and took piano lessons for six years. He even studied jazz music when he was in high school.
How He Became an Architect
Stanley first studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). However, he left after one year. The dean of architecture at MIT helped him get a job working for an architect named George Fred Keck in Chicago.
After working for Keck, Stanley tried to start his own business, but it didn't work out. He then joined the United States Navy for four years and served during the Korean War.
When he returned to Chicago, he worked for several architectural firms. He learned a lot by working with experienced architects. By 1958, Stanley had enough experience to be called an official architect.
Even though he didn't have a bachelor's degree, he applied to graduate programs at top universities. Yale University accepted him into their architecture program. He worked nights at an architect's office while studying. In 1961, he earned his Master's degree from the Yale School of Architecture.
Stanley's Architecture Career
In 1961, Stanley Tigerman started his own small architecture firm. From 1964 until 2017, he led his company, which later became Tigerman McCurry Architects. He also taught at many universities across the United States. His important papers and designs are kept at the Art Institute of Chicago.
One of his first big projects was an apartment building in Chicago, finished in 1974. It was inspired by the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Stanley's style changed over time. Early in his career, he mixed different architectural styles. In 1976, he became a key figure in a group called the Chicago Seven (architects). This group disagreed with the strict rules of modern architecture, especially in Chicago.
Later, his designs became more creative and dramatic. He started using curved shapes, bright colors, and even topiary (sculpted plants). He became known for his unique ideas about architecture.
Stanley Tigerman designed many important buildings. These include:
- Five Polytechnic Institutes in Bangladesh
- The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois
- The Illinois Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Chicago
- The POWERHOUSE Energy Museum in Zion, Illinois
He also designed homes and buildings in the United States, Germany, and Japan. He even worked on big city plans, like the one for Chicago's downtown area.
In the early 1980s, Stanley teamed up with his wife, Margaret McCurry, who was also an architect. They formed Tigerman McCurry Architects. While Margaret often designed homes for wealthy clients, Stanley focused on helping communities in need. He designed a homeless shelter in Chicago and an animal shelter. They sometimes worked together, but often had their own projects.
In 2017, Stanley Tigerman retired from his active work. He had designed over 390 projects, with more than 175 buildings actually constructed. His wife, Margaret McCurry, continued their firm's work.
Other Things He Did
Stanley Tigerman also designed special displays for museums in the United States, Portugal, and Puerto Rico. In 1976, he helped create a museum show called "Chicago Architects." It highlighted the work of lesser-known architects in Chicago.
From 1988 to 1993, Stanley was the director of the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was known for speaking his mind, which sometimes caused issues with the university.
In 1994, Stanley and designer Eva L. Maddox started Archeworks. This was a non-profit school in Chicago where students worked on solving city problems. Stanley was the director there for 15 years.
Besides buildings, Stanley Tigerman designed everyday items. He created tableware, a cookie jar, a coffee and tea set, and even watches!
He also wrote several books about architecture. These include Versus: An American Architect's Alternatives and Architecture of Exile.
His Personal Life
Stanley Tigerman was married three times. He had a son and a daughter from his first marriage. In 1979, he married Margaret McCurry, who was also an architect and later his business partner. They were married for 40 years. They lived in the 900-910 North Lake Shore apartments in Chicago, which were designed by another famous architect, Mies van der Rohe.
Stanley Tigerman passed away on June 3, 2019, at the age of 88.
See also
- Chicago Seven (architects)
