James William Kideney (April 25, 1899 – November 10, 1987) was an American architect in practice in Buffalo, New York, from 1926 until his retirement in 1974.
The firm he founded is still in business as Kideney Architects PC. He is the namesake of the James William Kideney Gold Medal Award, the highest honor awarded by AIA New York State.
Early life and education Kideney was born April 25, 1899, in Pittsburgh to William W. Kideney and Ada J. Kideney, née Porter. He was educated at the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture in 1921.
Career After a year of European travel, he moved to Buffalo, New York, where he worked as a drafter. In 1926, he opened his own office. In 1929, he formed the partnership of Harbach & Kideney with Paul Hyde Harbach, an architect in practice in Buffalo since 1923. They worked together until they dissolved their partnership in 1942 during World War II."Kideney, James William" in Who's Who in America (Chicago: A. N. Marquis Company, 1958): 1514.
After eight years of independent practice, in 1950 he formed a new partnership, James William Kideney & Associates, with several staff."Kideney, James William" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 298. In 1958, this became Kideney, Smith & Fitzgerald to reflect the growing roles of partners George D. Smith Jr. and Thomas W. Fitzgerald ."Kideney, James William" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 377. The firm was renamed Kideney, Smith, Fitzgerald & Partners in 1969 after the admission of several other partners, including John M. Laping ."Kideney, James William" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1970): 487.
Kideney retired in 1974 after 48 years of practice.History, Kideney Architects, no date. Accessed March 1, 2024.
Kideney joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1935 as a member of the Buffalo chapter. He was a founder of the New York State Association of Architects, the AIA's state-level chapter, and served as its first president from 1938 to 1942. In 1949, he was elected a Fellow of the AIA. He also served on the New York board of examiners of architects from 1949 until 1957.
Personal life Kideney was married to Isabel Houck in 1930. He died on November 10, 1987, at the age of 88. "Deaths" in Michigan Alumnus 94, no. 4 (March/April, 1988): 46.
Legacy In 1974, the year of Kideney's retirement, his firm became the oldest continuously operating architectural practice in Buffalo following the closure of James, Meadows & Howard, successors to Green & Wicks.James, Meadows & Howard Records"People" in Ohio University Today (Winter, 1980): 18.
In 1977, John M. Laping, a partner since 1969, became managing partner and the firm was renamed The Kideney Smith Fitzgerald Laping Partnership. In 1989, the firm was incorporated as Kideney Associates/Laping Jaeger Architects PC, soon changed to Kideney Architects/Laping Jaeger Associates PC. Laping retired in 2003 and the firm was renamed Kideney Architects PC, its current (2024) name, in 2006.Barry A. Muskat, "Q&A: John M. Laping," Buffalo Spree, March 30, 2011. Accessed March 1, 2024.New York corporation filings. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
AIA New York State, of which Kideney was founding president, established the James William Kideney Gold Medal Award in his name in 1981. It was first awarded to Joseph D. Monticciolo of Long Island. Notable recipients have included Robert T. Coles (2004), Giorgio Cavaglieri (2006), George H. Miller (2011) and David J. Burney (2016) as well as his partner, Laping (1989).Honor Award Past Recipients , AIA New York State, no date. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
Architectural works 1931 – Amherst Central High School, 4301 Main St, Snyder, New York"Harbach, Paul Hyde" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 226. 1939 – York Central School, 2578 Genesee St, Greigsville, New YorkIron Age (January 27, 1938): 96. 1949 – Jewish Community Center of Buffalo, 787 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, New York 1950 – Student union and dormitories, Buffalo State University, Buffalo, New York 1954 – Harris Hill Elementary School, 4260 Harris Hill Rd, Williamsville, New York 1956 – Public School 38, 350 Vermont St, Buffalo, New York 1957 – Gowanda Central High School, 10674 Prospect St, Gowanda, New York 1960 – Orchard Park High School, 4040 Baker Rd, Orchard Park, New York 1962 – Faith United Church of Christ, 1300 Maple Rd, Williamsville, New York 1962 – Upton Hall, Buffalo State University, Buffalo, New YorkEngineering News-Record (August 18, 1960): 98. 1964 – Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, 1 Lafayette Sq, Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo Architecture: A Guide (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1981): 89. 1964 – Heim Middle School, 175 Heim Rd, Williamsville, New York 1964 – Pembroke Junior/Senior High School, 8750 Alleghany Rd, Corfu, New York 1964 – Twin Rise complex, Buffalo State University, Buffalo, New York 1969 – SUNY Erie north campus expansion, Williamsville, New York 1972 – Classroom Building, Buffalo State University, Buffalo, New YorkCampus Buildings That Work (Philadelphia: North American Publishing Company, 1972): 196-197.
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