Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation was established to further the knowledge, understanding, and preservation of the work of Late Modernist architect & educator Paul Rudolph.

Through preservation and advocacy efforts, educational initiatives, public events and maintaining and developing an archive of written and graphic materials, the Foundation seeks to communicate the legacy of this unique American Master in a larger architectural and cultural context to interested students, journalists, scholars, and the general public.

Our mission began From a personal promise to Paul Rudolph

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation was founded by Ernst Wagner, a personal friend of Mr. Rudolph’s since 1974. Ernst Wagner and Rudolph lived and worked together until Rudolph’s death in 1997, and Rudolph named Mr. Wagner as the residual beneficiary of his Estate and his heir.

Rudolph, not satisfied with what he could find on the market, founded MODULIGHTOR in 1976 to design and build a new line of furniture, lighting, rugs and other interior design accessories that embraced Rudolph’s interest in modularity. Rudolph was very involved, designing everything from prototype fixtures to the layout of the company’s first marketing brochure, trade booth and showroom. Rudolph chose Mr. Wagner to run the company.

The company began assembling furniture and light fixtures in the model shop of Rudolph’s architectural office at 54 West 57th Street.  When MODULIGHTOR’s work increased, the company moved to a new location in SoHo in 1981.  In 1990, MODULIGHTOR moved to 246 East 58th Street, a building designed by Rudolph as the company’s headquarters and where Rudolph’s architectural office was located, thereby giving the location its name as the ‘Modulightor Building.’

In his lifetime, Mr. Rudolph requested the residence at 23 Beekman Place - where he and Mr. Wagner lived - become an architectural study and resource center for the design community of the New York metropolitan area. He also wanted a foundation created to preserve his architectural legacy.

Mr. Wagner promised Rudolph to fulfill his wishes. He and several of the pair’s friends and associates created the Paul Rudolph Foundation in 2002 but were unable to secure the residence as a study center and it was later sold. Instead, Mr. Wagner opened the Modulightor Building to the public for events and tours to celebrate Rudolph’s life and legacy.

As the foundation grew, it added board members who did not personally know Mr. Rudolph or his wishes. The Paul Rudolph Foundation, following a disagreement over the group’s priorities, voted to remove Mr. Wagner from the organization in 2014 and subsequently moved out of the Modulightor Building. 

Mr. Wagner, intent to keep his promise to Mr. Rudolph, created the Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation with several of the original members of the Paul Rudolph Foundation.

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation, under the guidance of Rudolph’s friends and associates, represents the Paul Rudolph Estate and is dedicated to fulfill his original wish to have an architectural study and resource center for the design community in his honor.  A unique endeavor, the Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation is the only organization in New York City located in a building designed by - and dedicated to - the career of a singular 20th Century architect.

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation space is open to the public for events and by appointment. In addition, the space is made available for rent as a location for special events, photo shoots, and videos; from which the proceeds benefit the foundation to keep its original promise to Paul Rudolph.

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation operates under IRS code section 501(c)(3) as a non-profit organization. Your contribution to the Foundation is always tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Board of Directors

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation gratefully acknowledges the dedication of the Board of Directors. The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation leaders are passionate advocates of the foundation’s vision and work on behalf of the foundation to achieve its strategic goals.

The Paul Rudolph Estate Archive & Research Library

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation maintains the Paul Rudolph Estate Archive and is growing a collection of information about Paul Rudolph including press clippings, books, and various tangible or digital materials about or relating to Mr. Rudolph's own work, influences and the contemporary cultural context in which he lived and worked. 

The Foundation is digitally preserving a selection of photographs and articles related to Mr. Rudolph in a searchable database.  With financial support, the Foundation will professionally document, categorize, and present this and additional material in a cohesive manner for study by students, scholars, and the general public.

Preservation & Advocacy

The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation advocates for the preservation and proper maintenance of buildings designed by Mr. Rudolph.  Preservation is a key role in educating others on Mr. Rudolph's legacy through the direct experience of his built work.  The Foundation holds lectures, exhibitions, develops educational tours of buildings and makes suggestions for sensitive adaptive reuse and redevelopment schemes as alternatives to demolition.

The Foundation makes available, in a variety of forms, the material that is maintained and collected by the Foundation.  The Foundation encourages, promotes, and is a catalyst for the further study of Mr. Rudolph's work and his times through involvement in or initiation of scholarly publications, lectures, exhibitions, newsletters, symposia and visits to Rudolph designed buildings and spaces. 

Funds are sought to continue working with other organizations such as DOCOMOMO (an international 20th Century preservation organization), the Library of Congress and other cultural organizations in New York City on publications, events and exhibitions exploring Rudolph's work, influences, and the architecture of the Late-Modernist era.

The Paul Rudolph Collection

As both an educational and fundraising tool, the Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation offers a selection of products for sale at the Paul Rudolph Store.  The Store features books, furniture, lighting, and limited edition art that not only celebrate Paul Rudolph, but also the work he inspired. The profits from the sale of these items are devoted entirely to the Foundation and its programs.