Alfred Preis

Alfred Preis was an Austrian-born American architect best known for designing the iconic USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. A refugee from Nazi persecution, he established a significant career in Hawaii, where his work encompassed modernist residential, commercial, and civic projects. Preis's legacy is defined by his profound contribution to the architectural landscape of Hawaii and his creation of a revered national monument that symbolizes both loss and peace.

Early life and education

Alfred Preis was born in Vienna, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He pursued his architectural education at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, studying under prominent professors. Following the Anschluss in 1938 and the rise of the Third Reich, Preis, who was of Jewish descent, was imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp. After his release, he and his wife fled Europe, eventually finding refuge in Honolulu in 1939, joining a community of fellow emigres.

Architectural career

Upon arriving in Hawaii, Preis initially worked as a draftsman for the firm of Vladimir Ossipoff. In 1941, he partnered with architect George J. Wimberly and others to form the firm Wimberly and Cook, which later became Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Preis, like many other German-born residents, was briefly interned by the FBI on Sand Island. After the war, he established his own successful practice, designing numerous modernist homes, churches, and commercial buildings that responded to the Hawaiian climate and culture, including the First Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

USS Arizona Memorial

In 1958, Preis won the national design competition for the USS Arizona Memorial, sponsored by the United States Navy and the American Battle Monuments Commission. His elegant, sagging center and soaring arch design was selected from over 350 entries. The structure, which spans the sunken hull of the USS ''Arizona'', is intended to represent initial defeat, ultimate victory, and eternal serenity. Dedicated in 1962, the memorial is administered by the National Park Service and is a central feature of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, attracting millions of visitors to Pearl Harbor.

Later work and legacy

Preis continued to be a influential figure in Hawaii's architectural community. He served as the first State Planning Coordinator for the newly formed State of Hawaii, where he was instrumental in developing the master plan for the Hawaii State Capitol district. He was a founding member of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and taught at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His papers and architectural drawings are held in the collections of the University of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Archives, preserving his contributions to the built environment of the Pacific region.

Personal life

Alfred Preis married fellow Viennese emigre Clare (Clara) Hönigswald. The couple had two children and remained active in Honolulu's cultural and intellectual circles. Preis was also a talented artist and sculptor, with his work exhibited in venues like the Honolulu Museum of Art. He passed away in Honolulu in 1994 and is remembered as a key figure in the development of Hawaiian modernism and the creator of one of America's most solemn and visited memorials. Category:American architects Category:Austrian emigrants to the United States Category:1911 births Category:1994 deaths