GaryOsberg.com

This week there was delivery of new furniture to the newly remodeled Alcuin Library on campus. The library is one of the architectural marvels designed by Bauhaus trained architect, Marcel Breuer, in the 1950s. The library was built in 1964. I approached the truck driver and told him that I had been in the office furniture industry for 22 years and I wondered what brand of furniture they were delivering? “Knoll” was his answer. My heart skipped a beat. Marcel Breuer would have been very pleased that St. John’s University was staying true to his original design. One of his more famous chair designs was inspired by bicycle handle bars.

Jimmy Dorr and I opened the KNOLL showroom in International Market Square in May of 1986. Our firm was Office Environmental Systems of Minnesota, one of many that KNOLL had created to represent their line of furniture across the country. KNOLL supplied 80% of the capital and Jimmy and I raised 20%. The KNOLL line was represented by two large established office furniture dealers, however they were also Steelcase dealers. Architect Dan Fox offered to help us with the design of the showroom which was being built out on the fourth floor. I still remember our luncheon meeting in the atrium of IMS and the sketch that Dan did on a napkin. Both Jimmy’s family members and three of my brothers were involved in the build out. My close personal friend, Ron Shodeen, was the electrician. The showroom won an AIA interior design award and was featured on the cover of the Architecture Minnesota magazine in November of 1986. I am so sad that I have misplaced my copy of the magazine.

The APHC show this week is back at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the temperature fluctuates between the low-double-digits and above-freezing balminess. It’s a live broadcast with special guests Lucius, Brad Mehldau, and comedian Tom Papa. Plus: Rich Dworsky and the band (Gaby Moreno, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor) are tuning up for another crop of musician birthdays and a hot-off-the-press new composition from the host. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, round out the program with a few scripts and sponsor messages. Grab yourself a Powdermilk Biscuit or two — heavens, they’re tasty and expeditious! — Join Chris Thile and the gang down at the public radio end of the dial, or watch live (Saturday, 5pm – 7pm Central Time) at prairiehome.org.

“He struck us as being not only an outstanding architect, but a simple, straightforward, sincere and rather humble person.” Abbot Baldwin, commenting on the selection of Marcel Breuer as master planner.