This document provides biographical information on several architects important to Shreveport's architectural history, including Edward Fairfax Neild Sr., Theodore A. Flaxman, William B. Wiener Jr., William B. Wiener, Samuel G. Wiener, Richard Joseph Neutra, John F. Staub, and William B. Wiener. It describes their educational backgrounds, key architectural works, and influences. It highlights Shreveport buildings designed by these architects as well as some of their broader contributions to architecture.

1. “Architectural historian, Vincent Scully, has said that architecture is a
conversation between generations, carried out across time, and while you could
say that this is true of all forms of art and culture, in architecture the conversation
is the most conspicuous, the most obvious, and the most impossible to tune out”
-- PAUL GOLDBERGER IN WHY ARCHITECTURE MATTERS.

2. Edward Fairfax Neild, Sr. 1884-1955
Graduated from Tulane, traveled
and studied extensively in Europe
before returning to Shreveport. He
worked alone until 1934 when he
was joined by Dewey A. Somdal, and
his son Edward F. Neild Jr. Somdal
and Associates is a descendant of the
Neild firm. Neild was the consulting
architect for the rehabilitation of the
White House during the Truman years
as well as the lead architect for the
Truman Presidential Library. Other
buildings include Louisiana State
Exhibit Bldg. in Shreveport, Caddo
Parish Courthouse, The old B’Nai
Zion Temple, Baton Rouge Jr. High,
C.E. Byrd High School, Capital City
Press Bldg.in B.R., Heidelberg Hotel,
Hotel King in B.R., and several bldg.
in historic district of Lake Charles,
Auditorium and Library on La. Tech.
Campus, Shreveport Municipal Bldg.
Scottish Rite Cathedral, A.C. Steere
Elementary School, Wray Dickinson
Bldg. and in Alexandria the U.S.
Courthouse and Post Office.
2745 Fairfield
Theodore A. Flaxman 1901-1986
Studied at Rice Univ., B. of
Architecture 1923, studied at Columbia
Univ. His architectural practice was
in Shreveport from 1926. He went
to Europe in 1931 with the Wiener
brothers to study the International
Style and meet the architects who
were the leaders of the style. He was
greatly influenced by the work of
Eric Mendelsohn. Flaxman designed
the Masonic Temple 1936-37. It
reflects a blend of modernism with
expressionistic forms. Other structures
which he contributed design are
Long–Allen Bridge 1934, Booker T.
Washington High School, Selber Bros.,
Shreve Memorial Library branches,
Huey P. Long Hospital in Pineville, Eden
Garden School.
666 Slattery
William B. Wiener, Jr. 1936 -
641 Longleaf
Studied both physics and architecture at
Cornell Univ. Upon graduation joined the Univ.
of Pennsylvania and National Geographic
under water archeological exploration, off
coast of Turkey. After returning to the states,
he practiced architecture for over 40 years at
his father’s firm of: Wiener Morgan & O’Neal
Architects. While there his role was that of
concept designer to analyze the program and
site to develop the solution. Among his most
notable concepts were: Northwood Jr-Sr High
School which was the first AC school for
Caddo Parish. Then the “H” concept for the
Shreveport Airport that was shown to other
cities by Delta Airlines as an example of how
an airport should function. He was also the
designer for several branch banks and the
Southfield high school addition. The Gulf
States Region of the American Institute of
Architects gave his first house design their
highest award. Concurrently he served as
Chairman of the Secretary of Interior’s
Advisory Board on National Parks and
Monuments under both Presidents Carter and
Reagan. Upon Retiring from architecture he
took up sculpture incorporating his design
philosophy developed during the practice of
architecture. You will see some of his sculpture
as you walk along Longleaf Rd. Also while
practicing architecture he was the impetuous to
save many of Shreveport’s historic buildings
and guided the effort to designate the McNeil
Pump State as a National Landmark

3. 1050 Ontario
William B. Wiener 1907-1981
B. S. Univ. of Michigan and graduate
work at Columbia Univ. In 1933 he
established an architectural firm in
Shreveport. He and his brother Sam, were
responsible for some of the most innovative
work in America in the rather revolutionary
International Style. They were both Fellows
of the American Institute of Architects. His
home on Longleaf Lane was a publishes
award winning design. Throughout his
career he has an unquenchable intellectual
curiosity. His firm became Wiener Morgan
& O’neal, which was noted for both its
functional style and passive environmental
design, which he demonstrated to the
Caddo Parish School Board to illustrate the
need for proper site orientation fro schools.
This approach can be seen at J.S. Clark
and Woodlawn.
Most notable was his concept for a
logical house design for our local climate.
This modular environmental sensitive “T”
approach can be seen around town.
He and his brother Sam, designed many
of the early shopping centers with the Big
Chain as the anchor. The Kroger Co invited
him to Cincinnati to show them how to
design a better and more profitable center.
This home was built in 1925 by
Mrs. N. M. Hancock, president of
Omega Oil and Frederick Oil. The
original architect is unknown. It was
purchased by J. Pat Beaird in 1934. A
series of three additions were made by
Somdal & Assoc. to the original house
in 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s.
4290 Richmond
Samuel G. Wiener 1896-1977
Born in Monroe and received Bachelor of
Architecture from Univ. of Michigan, Studied
city planning under Eliel Saarinen in Finland
and attended Atelier Gromont, Paris in
1922-1923. From 1923 to 1940 he was a
partner in the N.O. firm of Jones, Roessle,
Olschner andWiener.His work was exhibited
in the Paris International Exposition in 1937
and at the Architectural League in New York.
Early work in Shreveport includes the
First Presbyterian Church, Commercial
National Bank, Frost Memorial School,
American Bank in N.O., Team leader for the
LSU Medical Center, Municipal Auditorium,
Bossier City Hall, Kings Hwy. Christian
Church,United Gas Corp.Bldg.,and schools.
Most famous was the city of Shreveport’s
incinerator which was chosen as one of
the 25 best architectural designs East of
the Rocky Mountains, and was the model
for many incinerators world wide. He and
his brother, Wm. B. Wiener were pioneers in
contemporary architecture. They along with
Theodore Flaxman went to Europe in the
late twenties. Then he returned in 1931 to
study and meet the architects: Le Corbusier,
Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe.
615 Longleaf

4. Richard Joseph Neutra 1892-1970
4740 Richmond 415 Sherwood
William B. Wiener 1907-1981 John F. Staub 1892-1981
6007 East Ridge
This project has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office
of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, Louisiana
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute
endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation.
And: “This program received federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin,
disability, age, sex or sexual orientation in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you
desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240
Native of Knoxville, Tennessee received a
masters degree in architecture from MIT in
1916. He was principally a residential
architect who designed traditional style
homes with an eclectic influence. Upon
graduation, he worked for Harrie T.
Lindeberg in New York. Country Houses
were the specialty of Lindeberg and his
style, tradition, had a great influence on
Staub. It was Lindeberg who suggested he
locate in Houston. In Houston the Shady
Side and River Oaks developments
provided Staub with many projects. He
was commissioned to design three homes
in Shreveport, A. C. Glassel 1938, Ray J.
O’Brien in 1939, J.L. Hargrove in 1955.
Amongotherprojectshedesignedmanyof
the Buildings on the Rice campus and the
M.D.Anderson Memorial Library on the
Univ. of Houston campus. Staub was
noted for his integration of the house with
the environment. He defined the role of
space, structure, and decoration in
domestic architecture from the 20’s until
his death.
Born in Vienna, Austria, worked briefly
with Eric Mendelsohn in Berlin. Came to
the United States met Frank Lloyd Wright
in1924andworkedwithhimonTaliesinin
Wisconsin, worked with Schindler in
California. Participated in MoMA in 1932
which was curated by Phillip Johnson.
Commissioned by U.S. State Department
to design the Embassy in Karachi. Famous
for defining the real needs of his clients in
contrast tootherarchitects eagertoimpose
their vision on a client. His domestic
architecture was a blend of art, landscape,
and practical comfort.
His watercolors and drawings recently on
exhibit in Los Angeles showed influences
fromsuchartistsasGustavKlimtandEgon
Schiele. Awarded AIA Gold Medal in 1977
posthumously.
B. S. Univ. of Michigan and graduate work at
Columbia Univ. In 1933 he established an
architectural firm in Shreveport. He and his
brotherSam,wereresponsibleforsomeofthe
most innovative work in America in the rather
revolutionary International Style. They were
both Fellows of the American Institute of
Architects. His home on Longleaf Lane was a
publishes award winning design. Throughout
hiscareerhehasanunquenchableintellectual
curiosity. His firm became Wiener Morgan &
O’neal, which was noted for both its functional
style and passive environmental design,
which he demonstrated to the Caddo Parish
School Board to illustrate the need for proper
site orientation fro schools. This approach
can be seen at J.S. Clark and Woodlawn.
Most notable was his concept for a logical
house design for our local climate. This
modular environmental sensitive “T”
approach can be seen around town.
He and his brother Sam, designed many of
the early shopping centers with the Big Chain
as the anchor. The Kroger Co invited him to
Cincinnati to show them how to design a
better and more profitable center.