Alexander earned his B.A. in Architecture from Cornell University in 1930. Following graduation, he studied at Académie Beaux Kinds in Paris. Between 1949-58 he partnered with Richard Neutra as Neutra and Alexander. In 1959, the accomplished architect founded Robert E. Alexander & Associates. Together with Neutra, he received an AIA Honor Award AIA for Airman Memorial Chapel in 1957.
Following his graduation, Alexander studied at Académie Beaux Kinds in Paris, as well as in Italy and Spain and between 1936-42 he enjoyed several stints with different architecture firms. In 1942, he joined Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank and stayed through 1946. Between 1946-49 Alexander practiced as an independent architect - after which he partnered to Richard J. Neutra as Neutra and Alexander (1949-58). Beyond his B.A., Alexander continued academic work at University of California, Los Angeles (1952), and in 1953 served as Visiting Critic at Cornell University. In 1959, the accomplished architect founded Robert E. Alexander & Associates.
Alexander would win a great number of awards, certificates and commendations such as: Honorable Award of the AIA for Baldwin Hills Village, Los Angeles (1946); 1951 Honorable Award for University of California Elementary School, Los Angeles; 1954 Special designer Award for town redevelopment study for Sacramento/California; Honorable Award of the AIA for Current Work, together with Richard J. Neutra; 1957 Honorable Award for Miramar chapel; as well as the Merit Award for University of California, US-Department House as well as development project for Los Angeles (1964).
Robert Alexander’s professional affiliations were numerous after joining the AIA in 1942: 1951 Honour Member League of Philippines Architects; between 1946-49 and 1958-60 AIA Housing & Planning Committee; earned AIA Fellow status in 1955; 1958-62 Future of Profession Committee of the AIA; 1969 Vice President AIA, Southern California Chapter; 1970 president; 1945-51 Planning Committee Los Angeles; 1948-50 Preservation Committee Los Angeles; 1957 Carson Piric Scott & Co. competition for the reorganization of The Loop, Chicago; and 1958-60 Federal Housing Administration Advisory Committee on Multi-family Housing.
Partial List of San Diego Projects
Airman's Memorial Chapel (1957)
Miramar Naval Air Station (later MCAS Miramar)
Neutra & Alexander
Basic Science Building, School of Medicine (1968)
UC San Diego
Revelle College Commons (1964)
UC San Diego
Revelle College Residence Halls (1966)
UC San Diego
School of Medicine (1968)
UC San Diego
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