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Claire Rufer-Eckmann Architectural Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1998-018

Scope and Content

The Claire Rufer-Eckmann Architectural Collection contains student notes from her studies at l'Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Zurich, notes and original drawings from her travels in Sweden and Finland, and several oversize folders containing 46 architectural drawings: designs of 2 pavilions for SAFFA 58, 2 drawings of Chalet Meleria in Valmont, a large drawing of Zurich, and 10 pages of accompanying notes.

Dates

  • 1928-1935, 1952, 1958

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in German.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

Claire Rufer-Eckmann (1914-1974) was born in Wabern, Switzerland, and died in Bern. Before receiving her architecture degree in 1937, Rufer-Eckmann traveled to Sweden and Finland, studying under Gunnar Asplund and Alvar Aalto. She returned to Sweden in 1938 and lived there for two years eventually writing an unpublished report on her travels to Sweden and its architecture illustrated with ink drawings of plans and views of important buildings (present in collection).

1942 saw her return to Bern where she began to work with her husband Oskar Rufer, a developer and architect. They remained in practice together for 34 years. Their firm handled a wide variety of projects from shopping centers, theaters, schools, residential, and factories. Rufer-Eckmann specialized in design while her husband concentrated on management and development. Oskar Rufer closed the office upon Claire's death in 1974.

Rufer-Eckmann also participated in SAFFA 58 (The Swiss Exhibition for Women's Work) an exhibition held in Zurich, that focused on "women in the family, occupation and state." These exhibitions were organized and produced entirely by women and the exhibition buildings for SAFFA 58 were designed and built by Swiss women architects.

Extent

3.1 Cubic Feet (1 box, 6 oversize folders)

Abstract

Claire Rufer-Eckmann (1914-1974) was an architect in Bern, Switzerland. The collection consists of architecture class notes taken by Rufer-Eckmann at l'École Polytechnique Federale de Zurich, 1928-1935, original sketches and a report on her travels in Sweden and Finland in the late 1930s, and over forty working drawings created by her as part of SAFFA 58, an exhibition of women's roles in Switzerland.

Source of Acquisition

The Claire Rufer-Eckmann Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in 1998.

Related Archival Materials

See the SAFFA 58 Architectural Drawings, Ms1998-019, also at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Claire Rufer-Eckmann Architectural Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Claire Rufer-Eckmann Architectural Collection was completed in or prior to 2011.

Title
Claire Rufer-Eckmann Architectural Collection, 1928-1935, 1952, 1958
Status
Completed
Author
Harvey Clark, Student Assistant
Date
2011 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308