EDWARD DURELL STONE

Edward Durell Stone was educated at the University of Arkansas, Harvard and M.I.T. Architectural Schools. In 1927 he won the Rotch Traveling Scholarship for two years’ architectural study in Europe. When he returned, he worked as a designer for several prominent New York firms, such as Schultz & Weaver, Reinhard & Hofmeister, Hood & Fouilhoux, and Wallace K. Harrison.

The evolution of Mr. Stone’s work is marked by many significant prototypes in contemporary architecture. His identity as a versatile designer was firmly established in the 1930’s by such buildings as New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Conger Goodyear house. He also designed the famous American Pavilion for the Brussel’s World’s Fair (which was awarded several gold medals), the United States Embassy at New Delhi, the headquarters for the National Geographic Society in Washington and numerous large scale master-plans for various universities, cultural and civic centers.

"There is too much conformity in contemporary architecture. I like to think of architecture as an individual creative expression; I get more pleasure out of my work if I carry through my own convictions rather than pursue a dogma outlined by some other architect...An architect should try to find his own expression. In this age of standardization, Americans need more than ever to cultivate the open mind. Those who assert their individuality should find greater tolerance from their fellow; if our flights of fancy found receptive audiences and each of us were encouraged to be an individual, our lives would be enriched."

- Edward Durell Stone, from Paul Heyer's