Sandra Kocher is the daughter of Margaret and A. Lawrence Kocher (July 14, 1885-June 6, 1969), who taught architecture at Black Mountain College from the fall of 1940 through the 1943 summer session. She was almost seven when she arrived at Black Mountain. While at Black Mountain College, Kocher designed the Studies Building, a barn, music practice cubicles, and two small houses, one for the music teacher and his wife, and one for the kitchen staff and other black workers.

An architectural historian, Sandra Kocher is also an avid gardener and a poet.

Relationships

Parent: BMC faculty, Alfred Lawrence Kocher

Parent: Margaret Kocher

Sibling: Lawrence "Larry" Kocher, age 4 when he arrived at BMC

Black Mountain College Project

Mary Emma Harris interviewed Sandra and brother, Lawrence in 1995 and the transcript is available from Appalachian State University under The Mary Emma Harris and Black Mountain College Project, Inc. Oral History collection.

Topics: Larry Kocher arrival at BMC at age 4 – Sunday sandwiches and walksin woods – life as child in community – meals in dining hall – long-term friendships with BMC people – attending Black Mountain school – return to New York in 1943 – Sandra Kocher school in New York and Black Mountain – other BMC children – relationship of BMC students to children – death of Mark Dreier – father A. Lawrence Kocher – Saturday night dances – forest fire – Josef Albers’ vegetable garden