Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling Architectural Collection
Scope and Content
The Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling Architectural Collection consists of architectural drawings, photographs, specifications, correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications, and other materials organized in two series, documents and drawings. Most of the text of the materials is in German or French. The collection contains 171 drawings covering 18 different projects in which Harling participated while working in cooperation with several architectural firms, the State University and Building Department in Konstanz, Germany, and as an independent architect in France.
The drawings reflect Harling's activities as an interior designer and as an architect. The first folder contains original drawings (ink and pencil) while folders 2,3 and 4 contain printed drawings. The drawings reflect diverse projects, and include comprehensive floor plans, prospects, perspectives and several construction drawings. Additionally, several drawings document her work as interior designer.
During her career Harling participated in the realization of several important design projects while cooperating with diverse architectural offices, universities and as an independent architect. Some of these design projects are represented in the collection by drawings, publications, miscellaneous newspaper clippings, and photographs. In particular the collection contains a significant number of drawings and various related materials regarding the design of the Universitatsbibliothek in Basel, Switzerland (1962-1968). Harling participated in this architectural project while working for the architectural firm of Otto H. Senn. This design is documented with a significant number of original drawings (45), related publications, photographs of drawings and models, and newspaper clippings. Also included are several remarkable original hand colored drawings of the prospects and plans of the building.
While working for Suter and Suter, Harling helped in the design of the Swiss Credit Institute (1960) in Basel, Switzerland and in the realization of an office building for the upper management of Lonza, Lonza Highrise (1960), also in Basel. The two projects are documented in the collection through several drawings, photographs, and other miscellaneous material.
Finally, it is important to mention the drawings and related material regarding two projects that Harling developed while working with the State University and Building Department in Konstanz (Germany). As Architect in charge, she participated in the planning and design of the Central Functions for the new University Library (1969-1972) and in the design and construction supervision of the Natural Sciences Library (1974-1982) at the new University of Konstanz. The Universitatsbibliothek in Basel is represented in 45 drawings, the design for the Central Functions for a New University Library (1969-1972) of the Konstanz University in Germany in 25 drawings, and the Natural Sciences Library, 31 drawings.
Dates
- 1950 - 1998
Creator
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for 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
Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling was born on February 2, 1922 in Osnabrueck, Germany. She earned a diploma in Interior Design from the State School of Crafts and Applied Arts in Weimar. Her course of study included three months practical experience in a cabinetmaker's shop (1941-1943). In 1944 she attended the College of Architecture and Applied Arts in Weimar for a semester of architectural studies.
In 1944-1945, she was a teaching assistant in the history of architecture for Professor Denis Boniver in Weimar, and in 1945-1946, she worked at the British Area Works Office in Osnabrueck, gaining experience in interior design, construction supervision, and maintenance staff supervision. During 1946-1947 she worked for the architectural firm of Theo Burlage and Niebuhr in Osnabrueck, focusing on design and construction of residential and commercial buildings.
Harling returned to college in the Department of Architecture at the Technical University of Stuttgart, where she received her diploma in architecture. She traveled extensively in Europe, visiting Italy, Switzerland, France, Greece, and, England.
Harling began her professional career as an independent architect in 1953 when she designed and constructed the residence of Dr. Pante in Neuenkirchen, Germany.
In addition to designing as an independent architect, Harling was employed as architect and interior designer for several architectural firms. She has completed projects in France, Switzerland and Germany.
Harling died November 19, 2011.
Below is a list of firms and projects.
Suter and Suter in Basel, Switzerland, 1955-1961
- Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Reception Pavilion of Sulzer, Winterthur, Switzerland
- Administrative building of Suiselectra, Basel, Switzerland
Harling also worked for Suter and Suter as interior designer on several projects:
- Offices for upper management of Winterthur, Paris, France
- Expansion of Westfalenbank, Bochum, Germany
- Coop Haus, Basel, Switzerland
- New building of Swiss Credit Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Offices for upper management of Lonza, Lonza Highrise, Basel, Switzerland
Otto H. Senn in Basel, Switzerland, 1961-1968
- 1961 Administrative building of "Allgemeine Treuhand," Basel, Switzerland
- 1962-1968 Library of the University Basel, Switzerland
- 1966-1967 Planning of a residential development of 1280 units in Oberes Murifeld-Wittingkofen near Bern, Switzerland
- 1968 Reorganization/reconstruction of the university library in Freiburg, Switzerland
Otto H. Senn - design competitions, 1961-1968
- 1962 Church Complex, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1965 Stadttheater (theater) in Basel, Switzerland
- 1967-1968 School Im Moos, in Riehen near Basel, Switzerland
State University and Building Department in Konstanz, Germany, 1969-1984
- 1969-1972 Planning and design of Central Functions for a new University Library of the Konstanz University
- 1974-1982 Design and construction supervision of a Natural Sciences Library at the new University of Konstanz
- 1983-1984 Renovation of a historic administrative building in Konstanz
Independent architect
- 1965 Abbey St. Marie de Boulaur, Boulaur, France: reconstruction of a guesthouse of a Cistercian cloister
- Vianney Hospital, Ueberlingen am Bodensee, Germany: reconstruction and interior design of a chapel
- 1989 Convent St. Marie de Rieunette, near Carcassonne, France: Reconstruction of a destroyed Cistercian convent
Publications and Presentations
- 1966 article "Notizen zum Heutigen Wohnungsbau" (remarks on contemporary housing) in the "Schweizer Rundschau"
- 1988-1997 lectures at the Senior Center Konstanz on "New Housing Projects for Senior Citizens in Stuttgart and Freiburg;" "How to Adjust a Residence for Use by Handicapped Persons," and "Introduction to Auditing Courses at the University of Konstanz"
Extent
5.3 Cubic Feet (1 box, 4 oversize folders)
Abstract
The Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling Architectural Collection consists of architectural drawings, photographs, specifications, correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications, and other materials organized in two series, documents and drawings.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Source of Acquisition
The Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling Architectural Collection were donated to Special Collections in 1998.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling 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 Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling Architectural Collection commenced and was completed in January 2000.
- Title
- Elisabeth-Charlotte Harling Architectural Collection, 1950-1998
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Federica Geoffi, Architect, and Tamara Kennelly, University Archivist
- Date
- 2009 (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
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu