Gertrude Lempp Kerbis was a trailblazing architect whose legacy of structural innovation remains an inspiration. Lempp Kerbis believed architectural expression should spring from the structural system which is selected to best accommodate functional aims. While her work on the Air Force Academy’s Mitchell Dining Hall and O’Hare’s Seven Continents Rotunda showcased her mastery of long-span roofs, this monument design draws inspiration from a lesser-known but equally innovative project: the Don Kerbis Tennis Ranch and Club.  Ahead of its time, the Tennis Ranch utilized the hyperbolic paraboloid—a dynamic, curvilinear surface defined entirely by straight lines – in its exterior wall system.  This form is at once bold, graceful, and logical, offering a fascinating depth and complexity that feels both novel and timeless.  

DESIGN COMPETITION