JEH V. JOHNSON
LeGendre, Johnson, McNeil Architects
African American AIA Fellow
SAY IT LOUD - Washington DC Exhibitor
New York Based Designer
Bio:
Johnson’s many architectural projects include the Susan Stein Shiva Theater, the Poughkeepsie Catharine Street Center and Library, and the ALANA Center on the Vassar College campus. In 1997, Johnson was awarded a special citation from the New York chapter of the AIA for his advocacy on behalf of equal opportunity and housing issues.
JEH V. JOHNSON
Bio:
Jeh Vincent Johnson received his A.B. from Columbia University in New York in 1953 before being drafted to serve in the Counter Intelligence Corps of the U.S. Army until 1954. He then earned his M.A. in architecture in 1958 from Columbia University. In 1956, Johnson was hired by Paul R. Williams as a designer. In 1962, Johnson co-founded Gindele and Johnson, along with William Gindele, where the focus of their work was on single and multi-family housing, community centers, churches, and schools. Two years later, Johnson accepted a faculty position in architecture and design at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1967, he was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to serve on the National Commission on Urban Problems. He also served as chair of the National Committee on Housing for the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In Detroit in 1971, Johnson co-founded the National Organization of Minority Architects along with several fellow members of AIA. In 1977, he was elected to the AIA’s college of fellows. Johnson later served as partner at the architectural and design firm of LeGendre, Johnson, McNeil Architects from 1980 to 1990. Johnson’s many architectural projects include the Susan Stein Shiva Theater, the Poughkeepsie Catharine Street Center and Library, and the ALANA Center on the Vassar College campus. In 1997, Johnson was awarded a special citation from the New York chapter of the AIA for his advocacy on behalf of equal opportunity and housing issues.
Year of Elevation:
1977
Featured Project Name:
Susan Stein Shiva Theater
Featured Project Location:
Poughkeepsie, NY
Featured Project Completion Date:
1998
Role in Featured Project:
Architect
Featured Project Description:
Until 1955, what is now the Susan Stein Shiva Theater was a coal bunker on campus. What sets the Shiva apart from Vassar’s other event spaces is that it is completely operated by students. Every aspect of a show, from acting, to directing, to lighting and sound design is executed by students, without faculty or administrative supervision. The Shiva is independent of Vassar’s Drama Department, which allows for student experimentation that other theater experiences at Vassar may lack.
