David Anthony Spaeth Papers

Abstract

The David Anthony Spaeth Papers (dated 1956-1994, undated; 2 cubic feet; 4 document boxes and 1 flat box) comprise correspodence, awards, photographs, newspaper abd journal articles, publications, graduate and undergraduate work binders, slides, an audio cassette, drawings, blueprints, and written notes documenting the professional and academic work of architect and University of Kentucky College of Architecture faculty member David Spaeth.

Descriptive Summary

Title
David Anthony Spaeth Papers
Date
1956-1994, undated (inclusive)
Extent
2 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Architects -- Kentucky
Architectural design
Architectural drawings (visual works)
Architecture -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
Architecture -- Study and teaching
University of Kentucky. College of Architecture
University of Kentucky. School of Architecture
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject into 4 series that largely retain the original order as received from the Design Library. Where possible, original, typed paper slips and folder groupings were left in place.
Finding Aid Author
Emily B. Collier
Preferred Citation
2024ua016 : [identification of item], David Anthony Spaeth Papers, 1956-1994, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
David Anthony Spaeth (September 11, 1941-January 6, 1995) was a former faculty member in the College of Architecture at the University of Kentucky (UK). He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and spent childhood summers travelling to northern Wisconsin to visit his maternal grandparents. These trips would take him through Chicago, Illinois, where he was fascinated by two buildings at 860 and 880 Lakeshore Drive, both designed by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Spaeth later enrolled at the Illinois Institute of Chicago in 1959, where Mies was serving as Dean, and acquire both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Architecture. Mies mentored Spaeth and became a prominant subject of study for much of Spaeth's professional work; Mies and the Chicago School architectural style were common themes in many of Spaeth's publications and lectures.
Before starting his academic career at UK in Lexington, Kentucky, Spaeth worked breifly as an architect in Lubbock, Texas. There, he married Gail Addison Smith in 1967. The couple shared two sons, Anthony and Sloan.
In the fall of 1969, Spaeth took an assistant professor position with the School of Architecture, which later became the College of Architecture in 1970. He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 1973, then professor with tenure in 1985. In July 0f 1985, he took a leave in order to serve as a visiting professor for the University of Florida, Gainesville for the 1985-1986 academic year. Throughout his time at UK, Spaeth was also an active member of the Lexington community, taking on many projects focused on preservation, mostly renovations, for downtown neighborhoods. It is likely the last semester he taught was Spring semester of 1993. He passed away in Lexington, Kentucky on January 6, 1995.
Sources:
0000ua282: Minutes of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, 1969-09-16 (p. 33). Minutes of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center, Lexington, KY. https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7f7m03z925. Accessed 2024-07-01
0000ua282: Minutes of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, 1970-08-04 (p. 3). Minutes of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center, Lexington, KY. https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt70vt1gj464. Accessed 2024-07-30
2004ua061: University of Kentucky University Senate (Faculty Senate) meeting minutes, 1995-02-13 (p. 3-4) University of Kentucky University Senate (Faculty Senate) meeting minutes. University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center, Lexington, KY. https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7c599z3c51. Accessed 2024-07-01
1987ua022: The Green Bean newsletter (no. 484), 1986-08-08 (p. 4). University of Kentucky. Libraries. Bulletin / Green Bean newsletter. https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7k9882kz6d. Accessed 2024-07-01
Scope and Content
The David Anthony Spaeth Papers (dated 1956-1994, undated; 2 cubic feet; 4 document boxes and 1 flat box) comprise correspodence, awards, photographs, newspaper and journal articles, publications, graduate and undergraduate work binders, slides, an audio cassette, drawings, blueprints, and written notes documenting the professional and academic work of architect and University of Kentucky College of Architecture faculty member David Spaeth. His research included focuses on the Chicago School style of architecture and Ludwig Meis van der Rohe. There are several international publications included in this collection that are in Japanese, Spanish, and German. These either discuss Spaeth's architectural work or his written work regarding Meis van der Rohe.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment
Use Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Biographical Files, 1962-1993, undated

Curriculum vitaes, 1986-1993

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Correspondence, 1963-1993

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Awards and photographs, 1962-1989

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Newspaper articles related to Spaeth, 1969-1990, undated

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Articles related to Spaeth, 1964-1986

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Education, 1960-1966

Undergraduate Work, 1960-1964

Undergraduate work: notebook from sophomore year, 1962

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Undergraduate work, 1960-1964

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Undergraduate work: sketches, 1960-1964

  • Box 5, folder 1
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Graduate Work, 1964-1966

Thesis. Prefabricated Steel Houses, 1966

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Graduate work, 1964-1966

  • Box 1, folder 9
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Professional Work, 1968-1994, undated

Public Lectures, 1989-1991, undated

"Reading Mies's Library" with revision drafts, 1991

  • Box 2, folder 1
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"The Palace and the Row House, the Park and the Square: Transformations and Interpretations of History", 1990

  • Box 2, folder 1
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"Designing for Power: Lessons from T.V.A. [Tennessee Valley Authority]" and revision draft, 1989-1990

  • Box 2, folder 1
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"Where Do We Go From Here?" and critique by William T. Willoughby, 1989

  • Box 2, folder 1
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"The Tasteless Twins: Po-Mo and De-Con", 1989

  • Box 2, folder 1
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"Mies van der Rohe: An architecture of Four Typologies"/"Mies van der Rohe: Typologies & Animating Ideas", 1989

  • Box 2, folder 2
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"Thoughts and Recollections Regarding the Impact of Utopia on Chicago and Its Urban Structure", undated

  • Box 2, folder 2
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"Adolf Loos Briefly Sketched", 1989

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Mies Lecture: 1989, 1989

  • Box 2, folder 2
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"The Machine and the Garden" lecture promotional poster, undated

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Recorded Audio, undated

Down to Earth programs on TVA. Professor Spaeth discusses TVA with show's host, undated

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Publications, 1972-1994, undated

Books: excepts, receipts, and chronology drafts, 1975-1993

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Monographs, 1979-1989

  • Box 2, folder 5
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Works in progress, 1992-1993, undated

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Refereed journals, 1972-1992

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Journals, 1988-1994

  • Box 3, folder 1
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Projects, 1968-1990, undated

Architectural design, 1975-1984, undated

"Thin House," North Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Country residence, undated

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Courthouse, 1975-1978

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Courthouses, 1983-1984

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Architectural practice: Alabama, Texas, Wisconsin, New York, 1978, undated

Pass Lagoon, Gulf Shores, Alabama, undated

  • Box 3, folder 5
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An office building for the Mels Corporation, Lubbock, Texas, undated

  • Box 3, folder 5
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Smith Residence, Lubbock, Texas, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2
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Courtyard Houses, Lubbock, Texas, undated

  • Box 5, folder 3
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St. John Lutheran Church, Townsend, Wisconson, undated

  • Box 3, folder 5
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John Bradford House, East Hampton, Long Island, 1978

  • Box 5, folder 4
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Architectural practice: Kentucky, 1968-1983, undated

Restaurant project: redering of interior, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Addition to Galliger residence, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Addition, Campbell residence, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Screened addition, Burton Milward residence, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Residence for Mr. and Mrs. David Spaeth, 4 May 1968

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Addition to Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Uterhart residence, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Pool for Johnston residence, Bullock Place, Lexington, Kentucky, 1981

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Loggia for Johnston residence, Bullock Place, Lexington, Kentucky, 4 September 1981

  • Box 5, folder 5
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Weekend house for Garrett Kennedy, undated

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Trail guesthouse photographs, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Trail guesthouse drawings, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6
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Mr. and Mrs. Ron Drury residence, Anchorage, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Mr. and Mrs. Ron Drury residence, Anchorage, Kentucky: Drawings, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7
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Lee-Fugates house remodeling in Lexington magazine, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Courtyard design for the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Brauch Fugate, Lexington, Kentucky, 1983

  • Box 5, folder 8
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Study for Dr. Parks, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Remodeling, Wellons house, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Willow Oak Land Company apartments, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
Scope and Contents

Although not cited as architect, David Spaeth was involved in the design and construction.

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Brooks residence, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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J. M. Davis guesthouse (weekend house), Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Warren residence addition, Lexington, Kentucky, 1980

  • Box 3, folder 7
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William Lee residence, Georgetown, Kentucky, 1973

  • Box 5, folder 9
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Durham residence, Williamsburg, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10
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Oversized photographs, 1973-1990, undated

Restored barn project, 1973

  • Box 5, folder 11
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Weekend house, 1987

  • Box 5, folder 11
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Walled-garden house, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11
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Uterhart residence, undated

  • Box 5, folder 12
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Brooks residence, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, folder 12
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Unidentified oversized photos, undated

  • Box 5, folder 13
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Unidentified oversized photos, undated

  • Box 5, folder 14
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Furniture design and set design, 1987-1990, undated

  • Box 3, folder 8
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Design work slide book, undated

  • Box 4, folder 1
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Teaching Files, 1956-1993, undated

Miscellaneous writing, undated

  • Box 4, folder 2
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Syllabi, 1972-1973

  • Box 4, folder 3
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Illinois Institute of Technology Alumni Centennial Tour: Mies and his Age, 1990

  • Box 4, folder 4
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Work of Florida students, 1985-1986

  • Box 4, folder 5
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UK Student Work, 1965-1993

  • Box 4, folder 6
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UK Student Work: ARC 102, 1992, undated

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Louis H. Sullivan file, 1956-1963

  • Box 4, folder 8
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Frank Lloyd Wright file for ARC 820-001, 1963-1984

  • Box 4, folder 9
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Related material, 1974-1988, undated

  • Box 4, folder 10
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

Requests

No items have been requested.



You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.