Whether it was a desert in Saudi Arabia or public housing in Chicago, Charlie Martini cared less about the structure he was building and more about the people involved.
Still, as an architect, engineer and construction manager, he managed to come up with a signature style that incorporated the flora and fauna he loved.
Mr. Martini, 84, died Jan. 18 in his home in Northbrook of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease, said his son, Richard.
Born in Pennsylvania, Mr. Martini grew up in Niagara Falls, N.Y. He graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1938 and, after a year at Niagara University, pursued a degree in architecture at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
While in college, he designed stage scenery and lighting for a spring musical. As a prank during a rehearsal, he and his buddies cast a green spotlight on the lead singer, Ann Hayes, during one of her solos. They were introduced at a party later that night and got married in 1944.
By then, Mr. Martini had worked for the Navy Department as a civilian. He joined the Navy and attended midshipman school on the campus of Columbia University. He graduated as an ensign.
During World War II, Mr. Martini served with the Atlantic Fleet as a lieutenant.
In 1945, he returned to the U.S., landing a job in Chicago with the Charles F. Murphy architectural firm and later with Holabird & Root.
He redesigned the interior of the historic La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, as well as the window design of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette.
After working as an assistant city architect for Mayor Richard J. Daley, he opened his own firm, Charles Martini & Associates, in Northbrook.
But it was his job as an architect and engineer for the Chicago Housing Authority that reminded him to value the client.
Introduced to an unusual method of stacking prefabricated homes on top of each other for affordable living, he helped persuade the city to adopt it as a model for public housing. The concept backfired.
“People resented it and destroyed the houses,” his son, Richard, said.
He supervised international projects, including a Beech-Nut Baby Food factory in China, and an irrigation project in the desert of Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Martini also is survived by his wife; sons Jeffry, Charles and Robert; two sisters, Elma Latham and Nelda Hammers; six granddaughters; and three grandsons.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Hanekamp Funeral Home, 385 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Norbert Church, 1809 Walters Ave., Northbrook.
