David Osler (architect)

For the British journalist, see David Osler.

David Osler (January 9, 1921 – September 8, 2014) was an architect from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Early life and education

David W. Osler was born on January 9, 1921, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1] He had one sister, Priscilla.[1] He attended University High School (which matriculated its final students in 1968),[2] where he met his eventual wife, Connie Lorch, the daughter of Emil Lorch, who was founder and dean of the U-M's School of Architecture from 1906 until 1939.[1][3]

He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1942, after studying design and illustration.[1] He played on the golf team.[1]

After college, Osler enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Thomas Jefferson. He commanded 5 landing craft, transporting troops of the 116th regiment, 29th division during the first wave of the assault on Omaha Beach.[1]

Career
The Michigan Theatre (in Ann Arbor), pictured in 2009. Osler was involved in its restoration.

After returning from the war, he decided to pursue a career in architecture. He first worked for architect Douglas Loree,[4] then founded David W. Osler Associates in 1958.[1][5]

Though he started out designing residential architecture, he became best known for his large commercial, institutional, municipal, and condominium projects.[4] He described his style as "elegant conservative,"[4] and said he was aiming for "[s]implicity, cohesiveness, and a practical interpretation of emotions between the natural setting and the structure."[6]

Projects in Ann Arbor included St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church,[1][3] the canoe livery at Gallup Park,[6] and additions to the Ann Arbor District Library.[4] He was also involved in the restoration of the Michigan Theater.[4][6][3]

Osler also received an honorable mention in the finals for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.[4][1]

Later life

In 1996 Osler was awarded the Michigan Gold Medal, the highest honor of the American Institute of Architects.[1]

From December 20, 2013, to March 31, 2014, the University of Michigan Museum of Art displayed many of Osler's drawings in an exhibition called Three Michigan Architects: Part 1–David Osler.[7][1] It was curated by Joseph Rosa, director of UMMA at the time, and Nancy Bartlett from the U-M Bentley Historical Library, where his papers are archived.[8][9]

He retired in 2008,[3][9] and died peacefully in 2014, at his home in Ann Arbor.[1]

References
  1. "David Osler - Obituary". obits.mlive.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  2. "Last Graduating Class at University High School, June 1968 | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  3. Fisher, Douglas D. (2008-12-03). "Ann Arbor architect surveys a 50-year career". mlive. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  4. Eberbach, Jennifer (2014-03-07). "Ann Arbor architect David Osler reflects on 5 decades of Michigan homes". mlive. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  5. "a2 modern | David Osler". Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  6. "David W. Osler". SLICE Ann Arbor. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  7. "Three Michigan Architects: Part 1—David Osler | University of Michigan Museum of Art". umma.umich.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  8. "Three Michigan Architects: Part 1—David Osler | University of Michigan Museum of Art". umma.umich.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  9. Osler, David W. "David W. Osler papers". quod.lib.umich.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
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