Philemon Sturges

Philemon E. Sturges (1929–2005) was a Rhode Island-based American architect and children's books author.

Philemon Sturges
Born1929
Died2005 (aged 75–76)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materPrinceton University
OccupationArchitect
PracticeThe Providence Partnership
BuildingsBonanza Bus Terminal
ProjectsThe Post Office in Bristol, Rhode Island
DesignOld Stone Bank

Sturges trained at Princeton University before working with the firm The Providence Partnership.[1]

Heralded for his Mid-Century Modern style, Sturges was often praised for his buildings' sensitivity to site and context.[2] The Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission noted in their 1981 report that Sturges' Bonanza Bus Terminal was "one of the most handsome complexes erected as part of urban renewal in the 1960s; it is particularly well suited to its site and lends an urbane note to the streetscape."[3] The complex was demolished soon afterward.

The Post Office in Bristol, Rhode Island was built on the site of a house designed by Rhode Island architect Russell Warren. The Post Office incorporated features salvaged from the demolished Warren building in its design. Also in Bristol, his Old Stone Bank building incorporates reliefs by Hugh Townley in the facade design.[4]

Notable buildings include:

  • Bonanza Bus Terminal (1963) 1 Sabin Street, Providence (demolished)
  • US Post Office (1963) Hope Street, Bristol
  • Old Stone Bank (1965) Hope Street, Bristol (now Citizens Bank)
  • Providence Biltmore Hotel renovations (1979) 1 Dorrance Street, Providence [5]

Sturges published his first book in 1995 and remained a prolific author until his death in 2005, publishing nearly one book per year.[6] He is the author of HarperCollins' I Love... series, including I Love Trains, I Love Planes, I Love Trucks, I Love Tools, I Love Bugs, and I Love School.

References
  1. Zipf, Catherine (September 9, 2011). "A Bit of Homegrown Modern Architecture in Bristol - Catherine Zipf's Blog". Bristol-warren.patch.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  2. McAreavey, Kathleen A. (Summer 2013). "Providence Takes a Closer Look at its Recent Past" (PDF). RPPN Bulletin. Recent Past Preservation Network. p. 4. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  3. "Bonanza Bus Terminal 1963 et seq" (PDF). Statewide Historical Preservation Report. Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission. 1981. p. 58.
  4. "Historic Bristol Walking Tour". Onlinebristol.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  5. "Providence (PR)", Archived copy (PDF), Brown University, p. 38, archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-18, retrieved 2012-03-23CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Philemon Sturges". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
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