Judy Stonefield, B.A., Education, UCLA.
Harris's studio/home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
August 15, 22, and 23, 1979.
Interview sessions were conducted in mid-morning. They averaged between two and two and one-half hours. A total of approximately seven hours of conversation was recorded.
Harris and Stonefield.
Stonefield prepared for the interview by viewing several of Harris's houses, reading articles written by Harris, and viewing videotapes in which Harris discusses his architecture and philosophy.
The interview follows a chronological format, tracing Harris's life and career up to his move from Los Angeles in the late forties.
Several areas of interest are discussed in detail. Aside from basic biographical information, considerable attention is given to the influence growing up in California had on Harris's architectural concepts. There is also some discussion of the architectural history of Los Angeles up to World War II, followed by detailed discussions and remembrances of Richard Neutra, Rudolf Schindler and Frank Lloyd Wright. Other areas of discussion which break up the chronological order concern Harris's views on particular styles of architecture, on architect/client relations, the use of materials, and the effects of technology on architecture.
Teresa Barnett, editorial assistant, edited the interview. The verbatim transcript was checked against the original tape recordings and edited for punctuation, paragraphing, spelling and verification of proper nouns. Words and phrases inserted by the editor have been bracketed. The final manuscript remains in the same order as the taped material.
In September, 1984, the edited transcript, along with a list of queries and names requiring identification, was sent to Harris. He approved the transcript and returned it in November of the same year.
The index, table of contents, interview history and biographical summary were prepared by George Hodak, editorial assistant.
The original tape recordings of the interview are in the university archives and are available under the regulations governing the use of permanent, noncurrent records of the university. Interview records and research materials are on file in the office of the Oral History Program.