Scope and Content of Collection
The Franklin D. Israel papers detail the brief but substantial career of the Los
Angeles-based architect and his design firm, encompassing design processes while also
providing insight into the establishment of firms and modern architectural business
practice. The archive is an important resource for researchers wishing to study the
developments in California architecture after modernism had fallen out of fashion.
Series I contains project drawings and records, with the bulk of the material comprising
architectural projects from the late-1980s to the mid-1990s. Original drawings, prints,
models, photographs, and extensive documentation and correspondence files form the core of
this series. Most of Israel's creative output is represented here, from private residences
such as the Goldberg/Bean House (Hollywood, 1991) and the Drager House (Berkeley, 1992),
both of which received "Record Houses" awards, to the business offices of film and record
production companies such as Propaganda Films (Hollywood, 1988) and Virgin Records (Beverly
Hills, 1991). Other notable projects include the art pavilion for Frederick Weisman (Beverly
Hills, 1991), built to house one of the largest private collections of contemporary art in
the world. Instances of Israel's non-architectural design work and consulting, including
furniture and interior design, are also represented.
Series II documents the professional career of Frank Israel. The bulk of this series
includes extensive administrative and financial documentation of Israel's design firm,
Franklin D. Israel Design Associates (FDIDA), and materials related to exhibitions,
articles, photographs, and publication files, including production materials for larger
publications such as Rizzoli International's 1992 monograph surveying the work of Frank
Israel. Documentation of other professional activities, such as service on competition
juries, and lectures are also included along with files relating to Israel's education and
teaching career, awards and honors, articles and ephemera written by Frank Israel, and
general correspondence.
Series III, a small series of personal papers, completes the archive.
Arrangement
Arranged in three series: ; ; .
Series I. Project records, 1972-1996
Series II.
Other professional papers, 1967-1996
Series III. Personal papers,
1973-1996
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