Robert J. (Buzz) Yudell – 50th Reunion Essay

Robert J. (Buzz) Yudell

933 Pico Boulevard

Santa Monica, CA 90405

byudell@mryarchitects.com

310-450-1400

Spouse(s): Christine B. Beebe (1982)

Education: Yale, 1969 BA; Yale, M.Arch 1973

Career: Architect, Founding Partner Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners for 40 years, Adjunct Professor UCLA 1977–2001, Friedman Visiting Professor UC Berkeley 2001, Visiting Critic Yale 1973–1976, Visiting Critic UT Austin

Avocations: World Architecture, Architectural history, sketching and painting, sculpture, sustainable design and technologies, reading, writing, travel, swimming

College: Branford

It’s daunting looking toward a fifty-year passage, the biggest turn of the odometer and one never really imagined. Looking across the landscape of life that has speeded by with unanticipated acceleration, I feel surprisingly youthful, though chastened as robust friends and relatives have suffered the unexpected depredations of time and chance.

In all, I’ve had a great share of good fortune, transformational mentors, love of family, dear friends and work and play passions that are endlessly challenging, renewing and meaningful.

Yale provided key opportunities and inspirations, but I was fortunate to be born into a family where the arts and sciences were treasured and where my sister and I were encouraged to explore all interests.

At Pomfret School, in a quiet corner of Connecticut, I discovered a powerful affinity for sculpture under the unflagging support of Alice Dunbar. Science was nurtured by Ben Morgan and a love of literature was instilled by the provocations of Hagop Merjian. Pomfret demonstrated an unusual tolerance for individual exploration. Fellow students nudged each other toward intellectual and artistic discoveries.

Family and school had expanded my appetites for discovery. Yale provided the diversity of resources and inspiration to pursue those inclinations. I spent twelve years in New Haven; four as an undergraduate, four at the School of Architecture and the last four teaching Architecture (unencumbered by professional experience) and working for my mentor Charles Moore, the Dean of Architecture.

Living in beautiful Branford College was complimented by access to an array of inspirational teachers such as Vincent Scully and Robert Farris Thompson, creating an environment that was both energizing and surprisingly navigable. As an art major, I would spend long evenings working in the Art and Architecture building, benefitting from small classes with great teachers like Erwin Hauer and James Rosati. The graduate schools were informal enough that I could tag onto innumerable discussions with great artists coming up from NYC for beer, pizza and conversation in the sub-basement of the A&A building. I knew I was fortunate to have these exposures, but had no idea how unusual it was at a great university.

Time spent in the arts was balanced by science courses with faculty who were at the forefront of their fields. The humanities were equally enticing, with charismatic professors like Erich Segal who would bring in drama students to perform the Bacchae in our class, as if this were an ordinary day.

Graduate school was an extension of this intense inspiration and access. I was extremely fortunate to have mentors who became friends and professional partners, including Charles Moore, Kent Bloomer and Ray Gindroz.

The freedom and energy of the times, the dedication of the faculty and the support of friends influenced the trajectory of my life.

Architecture, art, literature and science have been passions throughout my life. My wife Tina Beebe, shares these commitments. We have lived and worked together for over forty years in a creative partnership of life and love that was sparked by our meeting at Yale.