| AIA Minnesota 2004
Gold Medalist
Victor C. Gilbertson, FAIA
Victor C. Gilbertson, FAIA, was the winner of the
2004 AIA Minnesota Gold Medal, AIA Minnesota's highest award bestowed
on an individual member. It serves as recognition for a lifetime of distinguished
achievement and significant contributions to architecture.
"More than any other individual AIA member, Vic Gilbertson
is responsible for AIA Minnesota's stellar reputation within the AIA family.
Our national stature is more powerful than the size of our state due to
his extraordinary leadership through the 1950s and 1960s," wrote Dave
Dimond, AIA, the nominator of this year's Gold Medalist. During his presentation
to the AIA Minnesota Board of Directors, who decide the recipient, Dimond's
enthusiasm for this candidate captivated their attention. "Vic Gilbertson
set MSA (now AIA Minnesota) in motion as a force to be reckoned with by
establishing a high standard of collaboration and professionalism that
we continue to follow. Gilbertson served as our voice on the national
board in the early 1960s and has been a lifelong advocate of the architect's
value in improving the quality of our lives. By bestowing the AIA Minnesota
Gold Medal-our highest individual honor-upon Vic Gilbertson, we will recognize
the complete architect that he has represented through his life, practice,
and continuing service to our profession."
Gilbertson, a native of Velva, ND, earned his Bachelor
of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota in 1935 and his
Masters in Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
1936. After graduation, he worked for the St.Louis firm O'Mera and Hills.
Subsequently he was awarded the Steedman Traveling Fellowship from Washington
University in St. Louis and spent a year touring the architecture of Europe.
Gilbertson then moved to Minneapolis and established an architectural
firm with James B. Hills and Mark N. Hayers principally to design churches,
schools and hospitals. The firm later became Hills, Gilbertson, and Fisher.
In 1966, he was elected to the American Institute of Architects College
of Fellows, acquiring the esteemed "FAIA" designation.
"Minnehaha Creek Bridges,
Leaving Lake Hiawatha"
Watercolor by Victor C. Gilbertson, FAIA
Throughout his career, Gilbertson vigorously promoted
a contemporary aesthetic in churches through designs and lectures. He
was the first architect in Minnesota to utilize integral brick sculpture
and symbolism for church structures that enriched the surface and imparted
a lasting meaning to the buildings. His churches in the Midwest include
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, MN), Our Saviors Lutheran
Church (Hibbing, MN), Presentation Sisters Convent and College (Aberdeen,
SD), St. Constantine (Minneapolis, MN), St. Joseph's Church (Hopkins,
MN), and Westwood Lutheran School (St. Louis Park, MN).
In the 1940s, Gilbertson initiated Minnesota's break
with the traditional multiple storied elementary schools and move toward
the one-story school, scaled to the child. He inspired his colleagues
to take the same position and strive for greater economics in the construction
of schools, which led to the acceptance by the Minnesota school boards
and educators of the one-story elementary school. Schools designed by
Gilbertson include Fairmont High School (Fairmont, MN), Holy Childhood
Church & School (St. Paul, MN), Oak Knoll Lutheran School (Minneapolis,
MN), and St. Catherine's High School (Valley City, ND).
Gilbertson also designed hospitals with a functionality,
flexibility and understanding that has served the clients and patients
well for decades. Some of these include Mercy (Valley City, ND), St.
Aloisius (Harvey, ND), St. Cloud Hospital (St. Cloud, MN), St. Joseph's
(Minot, ND), St. Mary's Hospital (Duluth), St. Mary's Hospital-now Fairview
University Medical Center (Minneapolis, MN), and Zumbrota Municipal
Hospital (Zumbrota, MN).
"Minnehaha Creek Bridges, East 50th Street"
Watercolor by Victor C. Gilbertson, FAIA]
From 1948 to 1953, Gilbertson was the Co-Chairman
of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota/AIA Minnesota Joint
Committee. During his five years as co-chairman, this committee created
a full program that resulted in new insurance recommendations for the
building industry. This program, known as the "blue book" continues to
influence design and construction procedures in Minnesota. Other examples
of Gilbertson's commitment to the architecture profession over the years
include:
-Publicity Committee Chair
-AIA Minneapolis Treasurer
-AIA National Committee on Chapter Affairs
-AIA Minneapolis President
-AIA Minnesota Director
-AIA Midwest Regional Director
-AIA Minnesota President from 1956-1957
Gilbertson understood the importance of reaching out
into the community to build the value of architecture and the architecture
profession. He worked diligently to save the Louis Sullivan-designed National
Farmer's Bank of Owatonna from a disastrous remodeling that would have
obliterated much of the 1908 architecture and terra cotta ornament.
Jim Lammers, FAIA, long-time friend and former architect
partner, views Gilbertson as a role model, often thinking about how
Victor would approach a challenging ethical situation or design problem.
Lammers says, "The role of the architect is really a fiduciary responsibility-they
have quite a bit of control. Vic took it seriously. He put himself in
the role of the owner and looked at things from their perspective. He
always took the high road."
Gilbertson led an active
life of volunteer efforts in architectural projects and kept up a
steady flow of watercolor painting, culminating in Watercolors of
Bridges Over Minnehaha Creek, published in 2002, and Minnesota
Courthouses, scheduled
for release in Spring 2005.
"Minnehaha Creek Bridges, Bloomington Avenue"
Watercolor by Victor C. Gilbertson, FAIA]
Lammers says, "Vic, more so than almost any other architect I've known,
maintained his passion for architecture throughout his whole life. In
the nearly 40 years since his elevation to AIA Fellowship, he continued
to be active in AIA, mentor young architects and find creative outlets
to enliven his passion for architecture."
AIA Minnesota is proud to recognize Victor Gilbertson, FAIA, with this
award.
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