Alexander Kouzmanoff

Alexander Kouzmanoff, F.A.I.A. was one of the few “Renaissance” architects. Talented and experienced in all facets of architectural practice, Alex was a professor at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture and Planning for 33 years, six as chairman of the Department of Architecture. His reputation is that of an Architect’s architect. He designed a vast array of building types, from large New Town Master Plans to Convention Centers, Theaters, Embassies, Health Facilities, Luxury Hi-rise Housing, Hotels, Corporate Headquarters, Educational and Athletic Facilities and the individual house. In 1977 he was made a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. From early days as a designer working on the United Nations Project to his 25 year relationship with the State University Construction Fund, he was dedicated to excellence in architectural design and service to the client.

Alexander Kouzmanoff, graduated from the school of Architecture at the University of Illinois (B.S.in Arch., 1933; M.S. in Arch., 1949). After working with Shaw, Naess and Murphy in Chicago on air base projects, he was with Harrison and Abramovitz from 1947 to 1952. For two of these three years he worked closely with Matthew Nowicki and Oscar Neymeyer on the design of the United Nations. Other projects included embassies in Cuba and Brazil, Los Angeles Opera and Arena Buildings, and the Brandeis Amphitheatre. From 1952 to 1957 he was a design consultant for Ibec on projects that included a 1000-bed hospital for San Salvador and research housing and planning studies for Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait. As a design consultant for various firms, he completed a number of projects: the IBM Building, Hartford, Connecticut; Fine Arts Center, Connecticut State Teachers College, New Haven, Connecticut; American Cyanamide Laboratory, Wallingford, Connecticut; Durado Hotel, Puerto Rico; and housing for Essex, Connecticut. While at the University of Illinois he won the Allerton American Travelship , the Francis J. Plym European Travelship, and the American Institute of Architects Medal. In 1957 a Faculty Grant took him to Mexico, Europe, and North Africa.