Alfred L. Mell (1905-1972) Papers, 1941-1971

  • IdentificationPUBLIC "-//The Art Institute of Chicago::Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives//TEXT(US::ICA::1999.4::ALFRED L. MELL (1905-1972) PAPERS, 1941-1971//EN)" "ica199904.xml"
  • TitleMell, Alfred L., (1905-1972) Papers, 1941-1971
  • PublisherArt Institute of Chicago Archives, Research Center, The Art Institute of Chicago,
  • Language
    • English.
    • English
  • Date1941-1971
  • Physical Description
    • 1 linear foot (2 boxes) and oversize material
    • Correspondence, printed papers, graphite drawings on paper, postcards, black and white photographic prints, color photographic prints and architectural reprographic prints.
  • RepositoryRyerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603-6110 archives@artic.edu https://www.artic.edu/archival-collections
  • AbstractPapers, drawings, and photographs documenting the work of Chicago architect and professor Alfred L. Mell.
  • OriginationMell, Alfred L. (Alfred Lorenz), 1905-1972.
  • LocationThe collection is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago Archives’ on-site stacks.

Alfred Lorenz Mell (1905-1972) graduated from the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago with a degree in architecture in 1931. He remained very active with alumni affairs after graduation and returned to the school to become an Instructor of Architectural Design in 1936. He held that post after the school became the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and after Mies van der Rohe's arrival at the school. He remained in part because of his ability to speak German and therefore to translate for Mies. In 1941 he was made Assistant Professor and taught until 1945.

In addition to teaching, Mell worked as an architectural designer. After working in other firms, most notably those of Holabird & Roche and Holabird & Root, he established his own architectural firm and one with Elmer T. Holin, an IIT graduate and fellow classmate. During this time Mell also began doing work for Fox and Fox Architects and eventually moved to their firm as a full-time employee. He became their chief designer and worked there until his death in November, 1972.

The materials donated include reproductions on paper, photographs and photo process prints of various projects Mell worked on, mainly during his time at Fox and Fox Architects. There are also original graphite drawings by Mell, personal papers, and a few works by other architects.

SERIES I: ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS. Material is arranged alphabetically by type of project and then alphabetically by project name. Unidentified buildings are next, arranged by type of building. One miscellaneous section concludes the series and includes design work.

SERIES II: PAPERS. Correspondence is listed in alphabetical order by sender. Professional papers are divided into professional practice and Academic/Illinois Institute of Technology sub-series. Lastly, work by other architects is listed alphabetically by project name.

  • Names
    • Mell, Alfred L. (Alfred Lorenz), 1905-1972.
    • Mell, Alfred L. (Alfred Lorenz), 1905-1972--Archives.
    • Mell, Alfred L. (Alfred Lorenz), 1905-1972--Correspondence.
    • Fox and Fox Architects.
  • Subject
    • Architecture--Illinois--Chicago--20th century--Sources.
    • Architects--Illinois--Chicago--Archives.

ALS

BOX.FF

c.

Flatf.

n.d.

TLS

Ludwig Karl Hilberseimer Papers, 070383. See Illinois Institute of Technology curriculum section, Series 3/1 box 1; and Illinois Institute of Technology photographs in Series 10/1 box 6.

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The Art Institute of Chicago is providing access to the materials in the Archives’ collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of the Art Institute is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Art Institute of Chicago Archives. In addition to permission from the Art Institute, permission of the copyright owner (if not the Art Institute) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distribution, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. The Art Institute makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Alfred L. Mell Papers, Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago.

This collection was a gift of Bella Smith Mell, Alfred Mell's widow, to the Ryerson and Burnham Archives in 1999.

The collection was processed by Natasha Derrickson of the Ryerson and Burnham Archives in 2000. This finding aid was revised and expanded by Annemarie van Roessel and Jeffrey Massanova in 2003, and further revised by Annemarie van Roessel in 2004.