Welcome to the Archives of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture. The purpose of this online collection is to function as a tool for scholars, students, architects, preservationists, journalists and other interested parties. The archive consists of photographs, slides, articles and publications from Goldfinger’s lifetime; physical drawings and models; personal photos and memorabilia; and contemporary photographs and articles.
Some of the materials are in the public domain, some are offered under Creative Commons, and some are owned by others, including the Goldfinger Estate. Please speak with a representative of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture before using any drawings or photos in the Archives. In all cases, the researcher shall determine how to appropriately publish or otherwise distribute the materials found in this collection, while maintaining appropriate protection of the applicable intellectual property rights.
Follow the links below to see Goldfinger’s work during the:
LOCATION
Address: 535 US Route 6
City: Milford
State: Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 18337
Nation: United States
STATUS
Type: Office
Status: Built; Demolished
TECHNICAL DATA
Date(s): 1976
Site Area:
Floor Area:
Height:
Floors (Above Ground):
Building Cost:
PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Client: Sparkomatic Corporation
Architect: Myron Goldfinger
Associate Architect:
Landscape:
Structural:
MEP:
QS/PM:
SUPPLIERS
Contractor:
Subcontractor(s): GF (office desks & files); Formica (built-in furniture & reception desk); Arcadia (doors & windows); William Conklin (interior plants); Lightolier (lighting); Westpoint Pepperell (carpeting)
Sparkomatic Corporation Headquarters
The project scope is to design a 9,000 ft² (836.1 m²) addition to an existing 3,000 ft² (278.7 m²) office and manufacturing building for the Sparkomatic Corporation.
Founded in 1953, Sparkomatic is a USA-based manufacturer of car audio products. Their primary products are automotive speakers, tape players, radios and other audio accessories. By the mid-1970s the company becomes known for their car audio products and accessories, though they continue to sell other non-audio accessories.
The project was already under way when Goldfinger is brought in to take over the project.
The building is dedicated in June 1977.
The project is published in the February 1979 issue of Interiors.
In 1984, the company enters the home audio business with the acquisition of Altec Lansing Consumer Audio.
In 1991, Altec Lansing is the first to design and manufacture a purpose-built multimedia computer speaker and introduces many industry innovations to become the leading designer, developer, and manufacturer of advanced audio solutions for personal computers and emerging technologies.
In 2000 the Altec Lansing and Sparkomatic merge under the Altec Lansing name. The Sparkomatic name is discontinued.
“The building looks like an iceberg carved by a modern sculptor, its white rectangles jutting into the green outskirts of Milford.
Inside the main entrance, white walls stretch two stories to become glass, towering over a crescent-shaped receptionist’s desk. A tree pokes through the gray carpet, casting no shadow. The people crowding into the lobby secure their name tags and wander downstairs to the hospitality suite.
They represent local government, corporations, special-interest publications. They’ve come for Scotch on the rocks at 11 a.m., to pay courtesy calls to a company that buys their products and services. They’ve come for the dedication of Sparkomatic Corporation’s new headquarters in Milford, for a tour of an industry that will gross $40 million this year from sales of its Citizen’s Band radios and auto-related equipment.”
DRAWINGS - Design Drawings / Renderings
DRAWINGS - Construction Drawings
DRAWINGS - Shop Drawings
PHOTOS - Project Model
PHOTOS - During Construction
PHOTOS - Completed Project
PHOTOS - Current Conditions
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
Sparkomatic on Wikipedia
RELATED DOWNLOADS
PROJECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jeff Widmer. “Sparkomatic Puts Charge in Pike Industrial Picture.” The Pocono Record [Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania], 17 June 1977.
Richard W. Planck. “Sparkomatic Headquarters.” Interiors, Feb. 1979.
Robert Riemann. “CB Sales Loud and Clear for Sparkomatic.” The Times Herald Record [Middletown, New York], 5 Sept. 1976.
“Sparkomatic Corp. Announces Changes.” Pike County Dispatch, 4 Feb. 1971.
“Sparkomatic Expansion Planned.” Pike County Dispatch, 31 Mar. 1977.
“Sparkomatic Growing.” Pike County Dispatch, 14 Dec. 1972.