Paul Rudolph

An exhibition, on the occasion of Paul Rudolph’s Centennial, of models, drawings, photographs and personal artifacts exploring his residences—designed by himself, for himself—that served as his laboratories for the psychologically & aesthetically compelling spaces which Rudolph developed throughout his career.

Using an ever-expanding palette of experimental & lustrous materials, Rudolph designed dynamic and challenging homes for clients - courageously dramatic in their forms, organization and spaces. These visually rich explorations, of a series of architectural-spatial themes, reached their most adventurous frontiers in two projects where he was both architect and client: the Modulightor Building; and his luminous, multi-layered home-office, the “Quadruplex” on Beekman Place, both in New York City.

By taking on his solutions for others, and pushing/extending them beyond conventional boundaries, Rudolph was consciously experimenting on himself. In these personal environments - reserved for him and a few collaborators - Rudolph explored a full range of materials to create affecting, “psychological spaces.” Unhampered by clients, Rudolph resided as a means to design.