Carl Zwerner Paysen was born 30 June 1914. He attended Hebron (Nebraska) Junior College before coming to Iowa State College (University) in the fall of 1934. He received his B.S. (1937) in landscape architecture from Iowa State. While a student at Iowa State, Paysen was a member of Tau Sigma Delta, Varsity “I” Club, and Vistonian Club. He was also a member of the tennis team his junior and senior years.

Paysen died on 8 April 1995.

This collection (1934-1938, undated) contains reports and resource material, ink and pencil sketches by Paysen, and a paper written by Paysen. This material appears to have been accumulated by Peysen during his time as a student at Iowa State. The reports and resource material document specifications and practices for landscape design used by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Public Roads, and the American Association of State Highway Officials in the mid-1930s. Additional materials include a document on garden design by P. H. Elwood, professor of landscape architecture at Iowa State; plan maps of Veenker Golf Course (1936) and Iowa State College Arboretum (1934) in Ames; and a paper written by Paysen titled, “Special Report, History of Architecture.”

The sketches by Paysen include over 30 pencil or ink drawings of architectural details and designs from various styles from history, including: ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman; Italian and French Romanesque; Byzantine; Norman; Gothic; and French and German Renaissance. Other illustrations include examples of trees and shrubs, insects, and architecture.

The entire collection is bound in one volume, except for four loose drawings found at the end of the book. These drawings were removed from the book and placed in a separate folder.

The collection is arranged alphabetically.