This collection primarily reflects Olencki's work as a practicing architect, but also contains some materials related to his research interest in church design, and his association with Mies van der Rohe.
Edward Olencki attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT.), where he earned a BS in architecture in 1944 and an MS in 1949. During his time at IIT, he worked as a draftsman and designer in the offices of famed architect, Mies van der Rohe in Chicago from 1943 to 1948. In 1948, Olencki left Chicago to take a position at the University of Michigan as an instructor. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1950, associate professor in 1953, and full professor in 1963. Olencki primarily taught courses on construction materials and methods, comprehensive architectural design, and furniture design. His research interests focused on modern church architecture, and he completed two sabbaticals in Europe studying this theme. During his time at Michigan Olencki also ran his own architectural firm, designing homes, churches, and commercial buildings.
In 2000 Olencki saluted his former mentor and employer, Mies van der Rohe, by donating a collection of over 200 of Mies van der Rohe's architectural drawings to the University of Michigan. These drawings were exhibited as "Mies in Michigan."
When he retired in 1987, Olencki was named Professor Emeritus of Architecture in honor of his years as an excellent and devoted teacher (See Proceedings of the Board of Regents, June 1987). Olencki died on March 14, 2002 at the age of 79.
