Earl Flansburgh

Who was Earl Flansburgh?

Earl R. Flansburgh was an architect known for his extensive work in the Boston area.

Flansburgh graduated from the Cornell Architecture School in 1953, where he was also a member of the Quill and Dagger society. While at Cornell, Flansburgh was manager of the freshmen's men orientation camp.

In 1963, he formed his own architecture firm in Boston, Massachusetts, Earl R. Flansburgh & Associates. In January 1969, "Progressive Architecture" selected Flansburgh's underground Cornell Campus Store for one of its sixteen Annual Design Awards. Under his direction, the firm won over 80 regional and national design awards.

He lectured at or served on the faculties of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wellesley College, and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.

From 1972 until his death, Flansburgh served on the Board of Trustees at Cornell University, where he served as the chairman of the Buildings and Properties Committee for 27 years.

Flansburgh was the father of musician John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants. His other son is activist Paxus Calta. His wife, Polly Flansburgh, is the founder and current board chair of the educational architectural walking tour company Boston By Foot.