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Transcript of interview with DeRuyter Butler by Stefani Evans and Claytee White, September 15, 2016
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Archival Collection
Description
Not many sixteen-year-olds assume the roles of father and mother to three younger siblings (one an infant), graduate from high school on time, and earn a full-ride scholarship (plus a loan) to a prestigious university. One such sixteen-year-old was Washington, D.C., native DeRuyter O. Butler, Executive Vice President of Architecture, Butler/Ashworth Architects, Ltd., LLC, and formerly Executive Vice President, Architecture, of Wynn Design & Development, LLC, and Director of Architecture, Atlandia Design & Furnishings, Inc. Determined to do right on behalf of his siblings and himself, Butler recruited his grandmother and enrolled in Catholic University, earning his B.S. in Architecture in 1977 while working overtime at the U.S. Post Office, buying a house in Maryland, and supporting his family. His first professional job in Philadelphia required him to rethink his living arrangements. Partnering with his sister, who assumed childcare duties during the week in Maryland, Butler lived in New Jersey during the week and commuted to Maryland on the weekends. After four years in that position and a short stint of being unemployed, in 1982 he became a draftsperson for Steve Wynn's Atlandia Design in Atlantic City. After he had worked with architects Joel Bergman and Paul Steelman in Atlantic City for four years, Wynn moved Atlandia Design to Las Vegas. Butler followed in 1986, bringing with him his grandmother and his youngest brother. In this interview, Butler discusses his unusual career path; the challenges of responding to and anticipating entertainment and recreation market trends; Wynn's insistence on always striving for "better"; and the importance of concealing service infrastructure in order to create the ultimate guest experience. He emphasizes Wynn's leadership in the gaming industry and with Clark County and the City of Las Vegas. He speaks to lessons learned from designing The Mirage, Bellagio, the Wynn, Wynn Palace, and Encore. Finally, he describes real-world limitations to building such as drought and historic water rights; traffic patterns, ride-hailing companies, and parking restrictions, and flight patterns and building heights.
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Jerde Partnership Records
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Abstract
The Jerde Partnership Records (1992) is comprised of architectural planning documents used for designing the Fremont Street Experience and Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Design records for the Fremont Street Experience include concept proposals, sketches, notes, brochures, and a presentation book. Also included are copies of handwritten design notes and sketches and a drawing schedule for the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Lucile Spire Bruner oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Lucile Spire Bruner conducted by Alice Cowles Brown on March 03, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Spire Bruner discusses her husband Elmo Bruner's career as an architect and appraiser in Las Vegas, Nevada from, 1947 to 1973, World War II, her religious affiliation with the Unitarian Fellowship Church, and her involvement with organizations such as American Institute of Architects, engineering societies and architectural registration and examination boards.
Archival Collection
DeRuyter Butler oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with DeRuyter O. Butler conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 15, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Butler begins with discussing his early life and joining Steve Wynn's Atlandia Design in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1982. He then talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1986. The interview focuses on the design and development of various Las Vegas casinos.
Archival Collection
George Tate oral history interview
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Oral history interview with George Tate conducted by Randi Levine and June Brown on September 24, 2002 as part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Tate discusses his personal history, his occupation as an architect, and his experience in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He explains why ground water was an issue for building infrastructure in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, Tate discusses the changes in the professional architectural community, the increase of women in the architectural field, and the competitive aspect of being an architect.
Archival Collection
Paul Steelman oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Paul Steelman conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 24, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Steelman discusses his early life and initial interests in architecture. He talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, working with architect Joel Bergman, and designing the Mirage with Steve Wynn. Steelman remembers opening up his architecture firm, Steelman Partners LLP, and the properties they have built in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Joy Rineer oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Joy Rineer conducted by Claytee D. White on December 07, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Rineer discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her career as an architect, designing the Resilience Center for those affected by the 1 October shooting, and the city’s response to the shooting. Later, Rineer describes helping the grief-stricken city through architecture, establishing the Leadership Las Vegas program, and organizing blood drives. Lastly, Rineer discusses the changes in Las Vegas after the tragedy.
Archival Collection
Las Vegas High School Architectural Drawings
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The Las Vegas High School architectural drawings include blueprints for various improvements, expansions, additions, and renovations performed for the Las Vegas, Nevada high school between 1929 and 1972. The architectural drawing sets include site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, building component details, and structural drawings.
Archival Collection
Daniel Van Epp oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Daniel Van Epp conducted by Stefani Evans on April 19, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Van Epp discusses his upbringing in Virginia. He talks about his initial interest in architecture, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995, and becoming President of the Howard Hughes Corporation. Van Epp recalls the development of Summerlin, the increase of homes being built in that area, and the construction of the I-215 Beltway. Lastly, Van Epp discusses master planning communities and the construction of Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Paul Senzaki, Alan Hess, and Charlie White III roundtable interview
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Roundtable interview with Paul Senzaki, Alan Hess, and Charlie White III conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 09, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Senzaki and White III discuss their separate work on the development of many Las Vegas, Nevada Strip hotels and casinos. Hess talks about his expertise on Las Vegas architecture.
Archival Collection