New Library Acquisitions Show Bond Family Legacy

Last year, the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library acquired the papers of J. Max Bond Jr., the African American architect and former Columbia professor who died last February at age 73. The documents, which are still being unpacked from 30 boxes, provide a window into the life of this accomplished and barrier-breaking architect of the 20th century. Bond, a Harvard graduate, became an architect at a time when the profession had few minorities. After working at several prestigious firms, he joined the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation as an assistant professor in 1969, ultimately becoming a professor and then chairman from 1980 until 1984. Although he left the following year to serve as dean of the City College School of Architecture and Environmental Studies, Bond kept his Columbia ties as the partner in charge of the renovation of Columbia's Audubon Biomedical Science and Technology Park . He was also the architect of record on the University's current Manhattanville expansion project.