John Vinci Explained

John Vinci (born February 6, 1937) is a Chicago-based American architect who works on architectural preservation of historic buildings in addition to new designs.

He is noted for the rehabilitation of many noted landmarks including Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio in Oak Park, Illinois,^[1] Louis Sullivan’s Carson Pirie Scott department store^[2] and the reconstruction of the Adler and Sullivan Stock Exchange Trading Room^[3] inside the Art Institute of Chicago.

Early life, education and career

John Vinci was born on February 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois to Italian immigrants Nicholas Vinci and his wife, Nicoline and is the youngest of Nicholas' seven children.^[4] He received a Bachelor of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology^[5] in 1960 and began his architectural career at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Chicago^[6] before moving to Brenner Danforth Rockwell Architects.^[7] He has since headed his own firms, including Vinci/Kenny Architects (1969-1979), and the Office of John Vinci, Inc. (1980-1995). He is currently partnered with Philip Hamp in Vinci | Hamp Architects (VHA)

In addition to his architectural work, Mr. Vinci has extensive experience in the design of art exhibition installations at the Art Institute of Chicago and other museums. Mr. Vinci has also been an instructor of the history of nineteenth and twentieth century architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology (1972-1992) (2000), and at Roosevelt University (1970-1972). He has written or contributed to architectural books and publications most notably The Complete Architecture of Adler and Sullivan,^{[8] [9]} (Aaron Siskind and Richard Nickel with John Vinci and Ward Miller, 2011, Published by The Richard Nickel Committee).

Select Restoration Work

• Frank Lloyd Wright's Studio in Oak Park, Illinois^[10]
• Louis Sullivan’s Carson Pirie Scott department store
• The exterior masonry of H.H. Richardson's John J. Glessner House^[11]
• The Art Institute of Chicago's Grand Stair and Lobby^[12]
• The reconstruction of the Adler and Sullivan Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room inside the Art Institute of Chicago.^{[13] [14]}

Select new designs

• South Kenwood Residence (2001)^[15]
• The Arts Club of Chicago (1997)^{[16] [17]}
• The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (2000) (former) (building altered)
• The Manilow Residence., with Max Gordon (1991)^[18]

Select Awards

• AIA, Chicago Chapter, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2014^[19]
• Named Legendary Landmark, 2011, Landmark Illinois^[20]
• AIA, Chicago Chapter: Honor Award for restoration of Hyde Park Historical Society (former Chicago Street Railway Company) Building, 1981^[21]
• AIA, Chicago Chapter: Honor Award for restoration of the Trading Room, Art Institute of Chicago, 1980^[22]
• AIA, Chicago Chapter: Honor Award for restoration of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. Department Store, 1980

Further reading

Sharoff, Rober and Zbaren, William: John Vinci: Life and Landmarks, Northwestern University Press, 2017

External links

• Vinci | Hamp Architects
• Oral history of John Vinc i / interviewed by Betty J. Blum, compiled under the auspices of the Chicago Architects Oral History Project, the Ernest R. Graham Study Center for Architectural Drawings, Department of Architecture, the Art Institute of Chicago.

Notes and References

1. News: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: The Capone Connection; Transforming a Onetime Chicago Mob Headquarters. Brott. Jody. October 29, 1989. The New York Times.
2. News: Carsons Unveils Rotunda. Sjostrom. Joseph. August 15, 1979. The Chicago Tribune.
3. Web site: John Vinci, The Modern Preservationist. October 8, 2014.
4. Book: Sharoff and Zbaren, Robert, William. John Vinci: Life and Landmarks. Northwestern University Press. 2017. 978-0810136656. United States.
5. News: Chicagoans of the Year in Architecture: John Vinci and Philip Hamp. Kaman. Blair. December 23, 2014. The Chicago Tribune.
6. Web site: JOHN VINCI, FAIA, TO BE AWARDED AIA CHICAGO'S 2014 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. June 20, 2014. aiachicago.org.
7. Web site: JOHN VINCI, FAIA, TO BE AWARDED AIA CHICAGO'S 2014 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. June 20, 2014. aiachicago.org.
8. Web site: John Vinci to receive AIA Chicago 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, even as his indispensable Adler and Sullivan book still out of print. June 24, 2014. chicagomag.com.
9. Web site: The Complete Architecture of Adler and Sullivan,' by Richard Nickel and Aaron Siskind. Walker. Cassie. February 4, 2011. Chicago Magazine.
10. News: Garden of Bronze. Pridmore. Jay. April 16, 1989. The Chicago Tribune. August 14, 2017.
11. Web site: John Vinci Papers, Ryerson and Burnham Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago.. SAIC Digital Libraries . Box FF 6.9.
12. News: ARCHETECTURE [sic] VIEW; SAVING A MUSEUM'S BEAUX-ARTS PAST ... ]. Goldberger . Paul . August 16, 1987 . The New York Times .
13. Web site: This Historic Trading Room Was Taken Apart and Rebuilt Piece by Piece. Obscura. Atlas Contributor. January 17, 2017. Slate.com.
14. News: A Sullivan Room Is Recreated in Chicago. Goldberger. Paul. April 7, 1977. The New York Times.
15. News: In Traditional Chicago, The Politics of Fitting In. Blair. Gwenda. The New York Times . November 6, 2003.
16. Web site: A Witty Conversation Between Art and Architecture. Sierzputowski. Kate. April 30, 2015. hyperallergic.com.
17. News: Chicagoans of the Year in Architecture: John Vinci and Philip Hamp. Kamin. Blair. December 23, 2014. The Chicago Tribune.
18. Web site: John Vinci Papers, Ryerson and Burnham Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago. The Art Institute of Chicago Library Archives.
19. Web site: AIA Chicago Reveals Design Excellence Award Winners at Designight 2014. DEMIRJIAN. Leah. October 27, 2014. ArchitectMagazine.com.
20. Web site: 2011 Legendary Landmark John Vinci. 2011. Landmarks.org.
21. News: Designs of Distinction. Gapp. Paul. November 3, 1981. The Chicago Tribune.
22. News: Twelfth Night Gala Set Sunday. January 1, 1981. The Chicago Tribune.