Pamela Webb Architectural Collection,
Scope and Content
The Pamela Webb Architectural Collection contains the professional files, architectural drawings, artwork, and photographs of an architect working primarily in Portland, Oregon. Materials date largely from the latter quarter of the twentieth century, but extend into the early twenty-first century. Professional files include information about Webb's career (resumes, portfolios, etc), money-making endeavors, correspondence, press coverage, community involvement, proposal bids, and architectural projects.
Architectural renderings within the collection appear in different mediums—in diazo prints, on thin wax paper, and on white copy paper. These renderings document Webb's architectural projects (including her student work).
Significant projects include: Eastbank Esplanade, Forest Heights residential community, Austen Row attached homes, Warm Springs Early Childhood Learning Center, and Marian Abram's Children's Wing in Mittleman Jewish Community Center. The collection's photographs illustrate the construction and finished products of many of Webb's project designs.
Webb's provided artwork depicts a variety of subjects—from human forms to abstract designs to building ideas. In addition to drawings on paper, some of Webb's artwork is etched in metal or Plexiglas. Multiple sketchbooks also appear within the collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1950 - 2009
Creator
- Webb, Pamela, 1943-2008 (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Biographical Information
Born in 1943 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Pamela Webb was an artist, architect, businesswoman, curator, and member of the Portland, Oregon community. Webb earned a degree from Harvard University in Anthropology in 1966; but, later studied architecture and graduated from the Oregon School of Design's first class in 1985.
Some of Webb's significant architectural projects in Oregon include: the Warms Springs Early Childhood learning Center, the Eastbank Esplanade, and the Austen Row multifamily housing project—for which Webb won the 1991 Metropolitan Homebuilders' Best Attached Home designation.
Webb also embarked on several architecturally inspired business endeavors, such as SiteStudy.com (a field study course for architects) and "Webb Grid" (a Mylar grid for pinbar overlay system, for which Webb sought a patent).
In addition to her architectural projects, Webb also served as a board member of the American Institute of Architects Oregon Chapter and as the director of the Harvard University Club of Oregon from 1986 to 1989.
Before becoming an architect, Webb co-founded a successful artists' cooperative called the Blackfish Gallery and worked as a high school art teacher from 1972 to 1976. She also acted as a licensed general contractor in Portland from 1977 to 1985. Webb eventually continued her interest in art through designing jewelry and fused-glass windows and plates.
Pamela Webb died in October 2008 at the age of 65.
Full Extent
85.9 Cubic Feet (66 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Pamela Webb Architectural Collection contains the professional files, architectural drawings, artwork, and photographs of an architect working primarily in Portland, Oregon, during the last quarter of the twentieth century.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged first by material type and subsequently by subject matter. Webb's professional business files remain separated from her pictures, oversized architectural drawings, and artwork. The Professional Papers and Files are divided into the following subseries: Career Overview, Educational/Scholastic Papers, Professional Organizations and Boards, Community Involvement, Press Coverage, Business Ventures/Development Projects, Internal Business Documents, Proposals, and Projects. Within the aforementioned categories, files appear alphabetically with the exeption of the "miscellaneous" or introductory folders that sometimes appear at the beginning of a subseries. Photographs, artwork, and oversized drawings maintain their own series—items within these sections echo the subseries outlined in Webb's Professional/Papers and Files when applicable.
Note: Bracketed dates within the contents list indicate that the dated material was not created by Pamela Webb.
Acquisition Information
The Pamela Webb Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in 2009.
General Physical Description note
66 containers; 85.9 cubic feet
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the Pamela Webb Architectural Collection commenced in May, 2009 and was completed in May, 2010.
- Title
- A Guide to the Pamela Webb Architectural Collection, 1950-2009
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Emily Cook
- Date
- © 2010 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
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu