Berta Rahm Architectural Collection, 1951/1963

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Berta Rahm Architectural Collection, Ms1998-011, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
1.4 Cubic Feet 1 oversize folder
Creator:
Rahm, Berta
Abstract:
Berta Rahm was one of the early Swiss women architects. The collection includes exhibition panels and a competition proposal containing architectural drawings, photographs, and slides.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Berta Rahm Architectural Collection, Ms1998-011, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Berta Rahm Architectural Collection consists of exhibition panels of her main works exhibited in 1963 at the Congress of the Union Internationale des Femmes Architectes (UIFA) in Paris. It also includes nine drawings for the Kunzle-Stiftung Schaffhausen competition (n.d.).

Biographical / historical:

Berta Rahm was an architect from Switzerland. She was educated at l'Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Zurich (Diploma in architecture, 1934). Inspired by her uncle, Arnold Meyer, who had a successful architecture practice in Hallau, Rahm opened an architecture practice in Zurich (1934). Her one-woman office encompassed all phases of architectural practice, from project design and construction plans to supervision of the construction sites. Some notable projects include: Hohweri House, a historical house in Hallau, Switzerland (1953-1954), an exhibition pavilion for SAFFA in Zurich, Switzerland (-1958), and Nageliseehof Farm, a progressive farm in Hallau, Switzerland (-1951).

In 1966, Rahm closed her office when she felt that the obstacles she faced due to her gender made it impossible for her to continue her architectural practice. She then began her second career as a publisher founding ALAVerlag, a publishing company devoted to literature by women and about the emancipation of women.

Rahm enjoyed traveling. After receiving a traveling grant she visited Holland and Denmark in 1935 and toured Scandinavia several years later. Scandinavian architecture was an important model for Rahm and she was also impressed with the emancipated lifestyles of women in the Nordic countries. These travels influenced her work and led to the publication of an award-winning novel, 1939: Reise nach Skandinavien und FinnIand (Zurich, 1942), which included many of her travel sketches.

Rahm died in 1998.

Acquisition information:
The Berta Rahm Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in 1998.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Berta Rahm Architectural Collection was completed in December 2010.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by material type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard