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Czeslawa Zielinska Architectural Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2005-017

Scope and Content

The collection includes Zielinska's curriculum vitae, a Canadian patent certificate, promotional literature on UCOPAN as well as published papers and articles relevant to UCOPAN's uses and deployment abroad. It also includes personal accounts and photocopies of landscape and building sketches she drew while she and her family were living in Egypt and India from 1966-1971.

Dates

  • Creation: 1964 - 2005
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1966 - 1979

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Czeslawa Zielinska Architectural Collection must be obtained from the Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Biographical Information

Czeslawa (or Czesia) Zielinska is a Polish-born Canadian architect and inventor. She was educated in Poland and holds both a Master of Science degree in Architecture from the Warsaw Technical University in 1952 and a Master of Science in Interior Design from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 1962. Zielinska invented the patented GETSET Building System (prefabricated components for building structures and modular furniture), and is co-inventor with her husband, structural engineer Zenon A. Zielinski, of patented UCOPAN (Universal Concrete Panel System). She is a partner in UCOPAN Enterprises and is a member of Royal Institute of Architecture of Canada as well as the Interior Decorators Society of Quebec. Her specialization is in integrated exterior-interior architectural and structural design, low cost housing as well as furniture and product design.

Full Extent

0.75 Cubic Feet (2 boxes; 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Czeslawa Zielinska is a Polish-born Canadian architect and the inventor the GETSET Building System and, with her husband Zenon, of the UCOPAN, a pre-cast concrete building system. The collection includes promotional material, published articles, and booklets about UCOPAN as well as copies of landscape and building sketches drawn during her travels.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by subject matter, and is divided into Personal Papers, Professional Papers, and Project Records.

Acquisition Information

The Czeslawa Zielinska Architectural Collection was donated to the International Archive of Women in Architecture at the Special Collections by its creator in 2005. An addition to the collection was received in 2011.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement and description of the Czeslawa Zielinska Architectural Collection took place in August 2005. The 2011 addition was added to the collection in 2012.

Title
A Guide to the Czeslawa Zielinska Architectural Collection, 1964-2005, bulk 1966-1979
Status
Completed
Author
Amy Vilelle
Date
© 2006 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository

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