Barrie Scardino Architectural Research Papers

Series 1 Houston Area Architectural Research Barrie Scardino Bradley has published numerous books and articles on Texas architecture and culture. This series is comprised of research materials for her books on Houston architecture which includes notes, brochures, photos, press articles, letters and correspondence. It features materials from the Rice Design Alliance, the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, and the Jesse Jones Foundation. It also includes materials referencing the following notable people: Kittle Nash Groce, William and Ina Nash, Frank Cullinan, Sr., William P. Hobby, Frank Cameron Jones, Roy Hofheinz, Jr., Arthur Benjamin Cohn, Andrew J. Wray, Jesse Jones, George Dickey, George F. Barber, Stephen Fox, Paul Hester, and William Seale.

Series 2 Historic Properties Survey Historic Properties Surveys are collected for the Texas Historical Commission. Architectural and archeological surveys identify significant properties in neighborhoods, communities, and entire counties. Published inventories of such sites can be indispensable in raising a community's awareness of its cultural heritage and in its planning efforts. The most important resources identified through surveys have potential for state and national landmark designation.

Series 3 The Heart of the Park Design Competition (1992) In 1992 RDA co-sponsored the Heart of the Park Design Competition, along with the recently formed Friends of Hermann Park and the city’s parks and recreation department. The competition’s goals were “to unify and anchor the diverse elements of Hermann Park, enhance and strengthen the existing elements of the main axis, create a place to commemorate Houston, and make a relaxing, welcoming environment for all people.”Specifically, the competition proposed improvements for a scruffy section of Hermann Park from the Sam Houston Monument to the Grand Basin, including an oak-lined reflection pool. The winning team consisted of Melton Henry/ Maurice Robison, Architects, Inc.; Peter Brown, Architects/ Planners; and Scott Slaney and Steve Harding. The competition led to the commissioning of a new master plan by noted landscape architect Laurie Olin, and the Heart of the Park improvements were completed in 2004. Series 4 Houston’s Forgotten Heritage (1991) The Junior League of Houston sponsored the development of Houston’s Forgotten Heritage through a project led by members Dorothy Knox Howe Houghton, Barrie Scardino Bradley, Sadie Gwin Blackburn and Katherine S. Howe. From 1983 – 1988, more than 50 Junior League volunteers collected, processed and cataloged thousands of private papers, library holdings and photographs to create the beautiful hardbound publication.

Series 5 Houston Architectural Survey She began her Texas career in the fall of 1979 on the research faculty of the Rice University School of Architecture as the senior researcher on what became a six-volume study: the Houston Architectural Survey (1981). After completion of the survey, she became the first architectural archivist for the City of Houston at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center of the Houston Public Library. She left that position to return to Rice as a researcher and eventually became the managing editor of the Rice Design Alliance’s publication, Cite: The Architecture and Design Review of Series 6 Slides Slides of Houston’s early rural and city houses and buildings. It includes candid family and group photos. Series 7 Personal This series includes Barrie’s community involvement with the Houston Theta Charity, a folder dedicated to her daughter Liz Scardino (Booma), and an archival catalog, “Light Impressions.”