- Al Beadle
Alfred N. Beadle V (1927 - 1998) was an American modernistic architect active in
Phoenix, Arizona .During his lifetime Beadle was best known for designing the only Case Study House built outside California, a three-unit residence now known as the Triad Apartments. More recently Beadle has been rediscovered for his stylish mid-century residential housing stock and for his influence on desert modernism. All of Beadle's output reflects a rigorous, rectilinear modernist idiom consistent with the work of
Mies van der Rohe and the postwar steel-frame houses typified by the Case Study experiments.Trained in construction during
World War II as aSeabee , Beadle moved to Phoenix in the early 1950s and built a variety of commercial and residential projects, including an entire housing development called Paradise Gardens (though he disassociated himself from the project before it was completed), and the local landmark of the Safari Resort in Scottsdale (demolished).His lack of an architectural license led to professional difficulties and, at one point, he was charged, not arrested, for practicing architecture without a license. The State of Arizona wanted to "grandfather" him in by giving him a license, but he refused to accept it and went on to take the State's test and passed. As part of his defense, Beadle's lawyer pointed out that another local architect, one
Frank Lloyd Wright , was also practicing without the proper credentials.Al Beadle won numerous awards from the A.I.A., American Steel Institute - 3 awards, Valley Beautiful Award, AZ Aggregate Association, Architectural Record Magazine, Institutions Magazine. His work has been featured in many National and International(Italy, Germany and UK) Architectural Publications of note. Architectural Record House Award, selected one of the best 50 houses in the last 25 years. Featured in hard cover book entitled "The Best Record Houses of the Last 25 Years". Major works in Phoenix, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Albuquerque. Bio-Sketch included in "Who's Who in America, 1978" and in "Who's Who in the World, 1982".
He designed and supervised the construction of the 21 (there's a 22nd floor, but no 13th floor) story Executive Towers in 1964, then the tallest high rise in Phoenix, he was only 33.
In 1993, A.S.U. college of Architecture and Environmental Design had a month long exhibit on "Constructions: Buildings in Arizona by Alfred Newman Beadle". The Architecture College presented a distinguished service award to Beadle.
This information has been verified by Mrs. Alfred Newman Beadle.
External links
* [http://www.gnosisltd.org/beadle.html brief biography and video clip of Al Beadle film]
* [http://www.beadlearchive.com/ An archive with photographs of most of Beadle's work]
* [http://www.waltlockley.com/3fountains/3fountains.htm Photos of the Three Fountains in Phoenix and essay on Beadle's career]
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