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Bliznakov, Milka T., 1927-2010

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1927 - 2010

Biographical Note

Milka Bliznakov was born in Varna, Bulgaria in 1927. She attended the State Polytechnic Institute of Sofia and graduated with a master's degree in architecture in 1951. Bliznakov began practicing architecture in Bulgaria in 1952. In 1959, Bliznakov moved her practice to France. Two years later, Bliznakov emigrated to the United States.

During her first years in the United States, Bliznakov worked as an architect and studied Soviet architecture. She earned her Ph.D in architectural history from Columbia University in 1971. She taught at the University of Texas from 1972-1974, where she co-founded the Institute of Modern Russian Culture.

In 1974, Milka Bliznakov became a professor at Virginia Polytechnic Insitute and State University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where she taught in the urban design program. Bliznakov became an authority on the Russian avante-garde and constructivism movements. In 1985, Bliznakov worked with the Virginia Tech University Libraries and the College of Architecture and Urban Studies to establish the International Archive of Women in Architecture. She served as the chair of the IAWA Board of Advisors from 1985-1993.

Milka Bliznakov retired in 1998 in conjunction with the establishment of the Milka Bliznakov Prize. The Milka Bliznakov Prize is awarded annually to those whose research furthers the knowledge of women's contributions to architecture and design.

Bliznakov continued to acquire and donate works to the IAWA until her death on November 4, 2010.

Found in 32 Collections and/or Records:

IAWA: International Archive of Women in Architecture Records

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1985-021
Abstract

The records of the International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA) consist of files created by IAWA founder Milka Bliznakov, various IAWA officers, and Special Collections archivists. Materials include founding documents, meeting minutes, newsletter information, correspondence with supporters and donors, and internal correspondence.

Dates: 1967 - 2013; Majority of material found within 1985 - 2008

Joist Layout Drawing, Stroubles Mill Residence (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991_025_BliznakovHouse_11-18

Milka Bliznakov Prize Records

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2001-045
Abstract The Milka Bliznakov Prize, established in 1998, honors the founder of the International Archive of Women in Architecture. The prize is conferred in recognition of research that advances knowledge of women's contributions to architecture and related design fields, and was created to encourage the use and growth of the International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA). The collection consists of announcements about the award, proposal submissions for the prize, and original works of...
Dates: 1999 - 2019

Newspaper Article, ""Amherest Alive"" (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991-025_AmherestAlive001_1975

Newspaper Article, Amherest, Virginia (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991-025_Amherest_newspaper001_1974

Newspaper Article, Milka Bliznakov (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991-025_PhotoMilka002

Newspaper Article, Page 2, Amherest, Virginia (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991-025_Amherest_newspaper002_1974

Photograph, Exterior of Tall Oaks Residence (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991-025_PhotoTallOaks

Photograph, Milka Bliznakov driving (Ms1991-025)

 Digital Record
Identifier: Ms1991-025_Photo_MilkaCar