Frank Godlewski AR’82

Running for: Council

Campaign Statement

John Q. Hejduk was my much-loved professor and Dean of the Cooper Union School of Architecture when I attended from 1976 – 1982. I began as a student at 17 years old and John Hejduk encouraged me, stating, “Don’t worry, if you don’t understand everything that I am teaching you right now, it’s all retroactive.” He was correct, his education has shaped my life and I feel compelled to give this gift back to future generations.  After graduating from Cooper, I went on to work in Italy for Architect Aldo Rossi where I lived and worked for 25 years. I had the honor of accompanying John Hejduk and my former schoolmate Diane Lewis on the visits to Italy.

Biography

Frank Gerard Godlewski is an architectural designer, historian, an land use expert. The creative director of Fellsbridge Studio LLC for building renovations, he presently serves as commissioner for the Borough of Caldwell Historical Preservation Commission and the Borough Historian Chair for Essex Fells, NJ. Born in Montclair, NJ, he attended Montclair Academy and MKA. He is a graduate of the Cooper Union School of Architecture and worked on a Dottorato di Ricerca in Architecture in Venice, Italy.

Fluent in Italian and French, Frank lived in Italy for 24 years where he worked in the Milan Studio of Master Architect, Aldo Rossi, and participated with his own two projects in the 1985 Venice Bienniale of Architecture. Godlewski also worked for Vogue Italia, Elle Decor and Panorama. He has been involved in the business of restoration and planning for historical properties and curated cultural programs on numerous Italian national landmarks. He has lectured on culture, history and design at numerous venues (Montclair Public Library, Montclair Art Museum, the AIANY Architecture Center) as well as curated and presented exhibitions and cultural events for the New York Armory Arts Week and at the Princeton School of Architecture. Godlewski was granted the Township of Montclair Preservation Award in 2015 and 2018.