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Balmori Associates records

 Collection
Call Number: MS 1885

Scope and Contents

The records document projects completed by Balmori Associates in the United States and Europe under principal Diana Balmori, as well as the professional papers of and writings by Diana Balmori.

Series I is comprised of sketches, drawings, photographs, slides, audiovisual material, and project records including correspondence, contracts, memoranda, notes, planting and landscape plans, proposals, site surveys, and reports.

Series II is comprised of writings, both published and unpublished, by Diana Balmori, circa 1970-2014. Records include correspondence, drafts, contracts, research files, and notes pertaining to articles, books, book chapters, conference presentations, essays, and lectures.

Series III is comprised of Diana Balmori’s professional papers, including course files while teaching at the Yale School of Architecture and the University of Virginia School of Architecture, research files, notebooks and sketchbooks, postcards, and chronological files. The chronological files, notebooks, and sketchbooks contain meeting notes, sketches, and printed material pertaining to both Balmori Associates projects and Balmori’s writings and research.

Series Accession 2019-M-0052: Additional material is comprised of office and project records, publications, publicity files, and lectures and presentations given by Diana Balmori dating from 1999 to 2018. The material, consisting entirely of born-digital records, was transferred from the Balmori Associates firm server to Manuscripts and Archives via one external hard drive. AutoDesk, Bentley Microstation, and ESRI ArcGIS software systems were used to create drawings, renderings, and 3D models. The project records document all phases of the projects, from the initial design and research phase to the final construction phase. Administrative project records include contracts, email correspondence, meeting minutes, project schedules, publicity files, and specifications, all created using Microsoft Office software, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as Adobe software such as InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Photographs are in JPEG and TIFF formats. Dates were derived by the files' last modified by date. The project records supplement much of the analog project records; however, this addition does contain some project records that exist only in born-digital format, such as Talgar (Kazakhstan) Master Plan and Asian Cultural Complex.

Dates

  • 1941-2018
  • Majority of material found within 1970-2014

Creator

Language of Materials

The majority of the documents in this collection are in English. The remainder are in Basque, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy, which is retained by the repository. Researchers withing to obtain an additional copy of non-commercially produced items for their personal use should consult the ordering reproductions information on the Manuscripts and Archives web site.

Original computer files may not be accessed due to their fragility. Researchers must consult access copies.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by Balmori Associated has been transferred to Yale University. These materials may be used for non-commercial purposes without seeking permission from Yale University as the copyright holder. For other uses of these materials, please contact beinecke.library@yale.edu.

Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Arrangement

The records are arranged in four series: I. Project records, 1941-2018 (1987-2014 bulk). II. Writings by Diana Balmori, 1970-2014 III. Professional papers, 1968-2014; and one addition.

Extent

185.8 Linear Feet (436 boxes)

15.5 Megabytes

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.1885

Abstract

The records are comprised of drawings, photographs, correspondence, notes, slides, audiovisual, and printed material pertaining to the work of Balmori Associates, including documentation of projects in the United States and Europe. Also included are the professional papers of and writings, both published and unpublished, by principal Diana Balmori, circa 1970-2014.

Biographical / Historical

Balmori Associates is an urban and landscape design firm in New York City founded by Diana Balmori (1932-2016) in 1990. Balmori Associates is recognized for their interfacing between landscape and architecture. Through research, collaboration and innovation, Balmori Associates is looking to explore and expand the boundaries between nature and structure. Their approach to developing public spaces is rooted in design ideas, coupled with an understanding of environmental, social and physical needs. Their application of innovative designs to the study of the social functions of green roofs, floating islands and temporary landscapes has created a signature and functional aesthetic establishing them as leaders in the field of urban design and the creation of new forms of public space.

Source: Balmori Associates

Custodial History

Gift of Balmori Associates, 2006 and 2015-2019.

Processing Information

Processing of 1700 pieces of born digital media is ongoing. Extent information and Conditions Governing Access notes will be updated periodically.

Unless otherwise noted, born digital media was accessioned by the Yale University Digital Accessioning Support Service (DASS) in 2020-2021. Born digital archival material acquired on media by Yale University Library repositories is accessioned through the DASS prior to researcher use. For more information on the DASS and the actions taken during its accessioning work, click here: Born Digital @ Yale: Digital Accessioning Support Service.

Folder titles and project statements provided by Balmori Associates.

Title
Guide to the Balmori Associates Records
Status
Unprocessed
Author
compiled by Laura Tatum, Christine Connolly, Catherine Byun, Suzanne Noruschat, and Jessica Quagliaroli.
Date
July 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours