Joseph_R._Koberling_Jr.

Joseph R. Koberling Jr.

Joseph R. Koberling Jr.

American architect

Joseph R. Koberling Jr. (27 May 1900 – 8 June 1990) was a Hungarian-American architect. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he emigrated to the United States, first to San Francisco, then, in 1917, to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was a student of noted art teacher, Adah Robinson.[1] He was in the first graduation class of Tulsa Central High School.[2] He was then educated at the Armour Institute (later part of Illinois Institute of Technology) in Chicago, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 1925. He returned to Tulsa, where he began practicing. He received his Oklahoma license in architecture in 1929, which he maintained until his death.[3]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Although much of his work was done solo, he was a principal in three partnerships in Tulsa:[3]

  • Redlich & Koberling, 1929-1931 (F. W. Redlich)
  • Fleming & Koberling 1933-1937 (Noble B, Fleming)
  • Koberling & Brandborg, 1946-1956 (Lennart Brandborg)

Even while he was working outside a partnership, Koberling collaborated with several other architects on notable projects. These included Frank W. Atkinson, Bruce Goff and Leon Senter.

Notable projects

The table below lists some of the projects in which Koberling participated. He created several houses, especially in Tulsa, which are still in use as private residences. In 1924, before he received his license as an architect, he worked with Bruce Goff on the design of a residence and studio for their high school teacher, Adah Robinson. He is probably best known in architectural circles for his work designing Will Rogers High School in 1936. He is credited with designing what he called, "...101 features that we hoped would make an attractive as well as a functional building." This school, still in use, has been called "... one of the best examples of Art Deco high school architecture...in the United States." Koberling collaborated on the project with Frank Atkinson and Leon Senter. Koberling also designed the 1949 addition to the school.[4]

Koberling played an active role in civic life, as a member of the Kiwanis Club, Tulsa Executive Association, and the Tulsa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, serving as president of the Tulsa chapter. He was a member of the Tulsa Boys Home.[2]

More information Name, Address ...

Death and burial

Koberling died June 8, 1990. His funeral was held at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Tulsa. Survivors included a daughter and a grandson.[2] He was buried June 11, 1990, in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa.

Notes

  1. Building remodeled, and repurposed for residential use in 2016 and renamed as Art Deco Lofts and Apartments.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, "City Veterinary Hospital." 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  2. [2]
    "Retired Architect Koberling Dies at 90." Tulsa World. June 10, 1990. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  3. [3]
    "Joseph Koberling, Jr.(1900-1991" Archived 2014-10-20 at the Wayback Machine Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  4. [4]
    NRHP Registration Form - Will Rogers High School. September 9, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  5. [5]
    Coffey, Roger. "Early PSO, ONG Buildings Share Art Deco History." GTR Newspapers. Updated September 13, 2018. Accessed January 24, 2019.
  6. [6]
    "Public Service of Oklahoma Building." Archived 2014-11-24 at the Wayback Machine Tulsa Preservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  7. [7]
    "Swan Lake Historic District." Archived 2015-03-30 at the Wayback Machine Tulsa Preservation District. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  8. [8]
    Google Streetview imagery dated February 2023, accessed April 24, 2023
  9. [9]
    "City Veterinary Hospital." Archived 2014-11-24 at the Wayback Machine Tulsa Preservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  10. [10]
    "Chamber of Commerce Building." Emporis. Retrieved November 20, 2014
  11. [11]
    "Tulsa Civic Center Historic District." Archived 2015-02-21 at the Wayback Machine Tulsa Preservation Commission. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  12. [12]
    ""Swan Lake Historic District." Living Places. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  13. [13]
    "Whenthoff Residence." Archived 2014-11-24 at the Wayback Machine Tulsa Preservation District. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
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