Vladimir Ossipoff

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Vladimir ‘Val’ Ossipoff (25 November 1907, Vladivostok, Russia—1 October 1998, Honolulu, Hawaii) was an American architect renowned for his works in Hawaii.[1]

Vladimir Ossipoff grew up in Tokyo, Japan, where his father was a military attaché of the Russian embassy, and emigrated to the United States in 1923. He moved to Hawaii after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in 1931 and said in the early 1960s that he carried on a war on ugliness.[2] He was awarded the first medal of honor of the Hawaii chapter of the American Institute of Architects.[3]

The Honolulu Academy of Arts has organized the first museum retrospective of his work.[2][4] "Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff" was on view at the Academy from November 29, 2007, to January 27, 2008. The show was planned to travel next to the Deutsches Architekturmuseum on the Museum Embankment in Frankfurt, Germany (Summer 2008) and the Yale School of Architecture Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut (Fall 2008).

Vladimir Ossipoff has been called “the master of Hawaii modern architecture,”[4] “the dean of residential architects in Hawaii,”[5] and “the premier postwar designer of kama’aina-style[6][7] residences in Honolulu.”[8]

An architect has to be a bit of a sociologist, lawyer and psychologist. He has to know human nature.

– Vladimir Ossipoff, [5]        

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nina Wu (24 February 2006). Ossipoff homes still stand as uniquely Hawaii. Pacific Business News. “Ossipoff homes are known for their strong roof lines, deep overhangs, dark woods, native stone and built-in cabinets and fixtures. He eschewed air conditioning and always took advantage of natural ventilation through huge sliding doors and windows that would open entire walls to the outside.”
  2. ^ a b Curt Sanborn. Outside In: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff. Hana Hou! V. 10 #5 October/November 2007.
  3. ^ Editorial (3 October 1998). Vladimir Ossipoff. Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  4. ^ a b Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff. Honolulu Academy of Arts (Exhibition: 29 November 2007 through 27 January 2008, before traveling to other national and international venues).
  5. ^ a b Rod Ohira (2 October 1998). Vladimir Ossipoff, dean of Hawaii architects. Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  6. ^ Hawaiian Architecture. Hawaii Home. “The local architectural style is called kama’aina, or native born. Kama’aina is a style rich in beautiful simplicity and island tradition. True kama’aina architecture is generally open plan, keeping with the importance of multigenerational family living and the strength of the community spirit - and to capitalize on those gentle ocean breezes. Decoration is simple but beautiful, generally focused on the shapes, materials, and hues of nature.”
  7. ^ A.A. Smyser (6 October 1998). The house that Vladimir Ossipoff built. Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  8. ^ The Honolulu 100: Vladimir Ossipoff (1907-1998). Honolulu Magazine (November 2005).


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