Graycliff: Wright on the Lake - Heritage Landscapes · Microsoft PowerPoint - Graycliff-HL-RH-AIANYS-14Oct2010-Final-POD-16Dec2010 [Compatibility Mode] Author: HLVT3 User Created

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Graycliff: Wright on the Lake

Session ID: TH-0510

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This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to constitute approval, of any method, product, service, enterprise, sponsorship or endorsement by any organization

l i d/ i M i St t Th t t t d bplanning and/or sponsoring Main Streets. The statements expressed by speakers, panelists, and other participants reflect their own views and not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the AIA, AIANYS, AIA components, or those of their respective officers, directors, members, employees or any other organization associated with them and involved in the planning and production of this program. Questions related to specific products and services may be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. p

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objective 1:Provide a clear understanding of what defines a cultural landscape and the elements of the Graycliff CLR.

Learning Objective 2:Learning Objective 2:Demonstrate how intangible cultural values are reflected in tangible, designed landscapes to include the influence of owners Darwin and Isabelle Martin and their design professionals, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ellen Biddle Shipman.

Learning Objective 3:Define the methodology used to identify and understand historic significance, character, and character-defining features to appropriately guide future stewardship and thereby choose a sound future direction for the Graycliff landscape.

Graycli ff : Wright on the Lake

Learning Objective 4:Interpret the findings and broader concepts within the Graycliff CLR project so that participants can apply them to their own project work.

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The Graycliff Conservancy,

Inc. is a not-for-profit

i ti

Graycliff Conservancy Mission

organization dedicated to

restoring and preserving the

Frank Lloyd Wright-

designed Graycliff Estate

as a publicly


as a publicly accessible landmark.

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History of the Graycliff Estate

1926: Frank Lloyd Wright commissioned to design “summer cottage” for Isabelle and Darwin Martin

1927 31: Construction 1927-31: Construction

1928-1942: Martin family in residence

C. 1950: Purchased from Martin Family by Piarist Fathers

1997: Purchased from Piarist Fathers by newly formed Graycliff Conservancy, Inc.


The Graycliff Estate: A Complex Whole Three Buildings Set within 8.4 Acres of Landscape

Isabelle R. Martin HouseFoster House


Heat Hut On a bluff overlooking Lake Erie

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Graycliff Cultural Landscape Through Time

Martin/Wright Landscape 1926 to 1928M ti /W i ht/Shi 1929 t 1931


Martin/Wright/Shipman 1929 to 1931 Martin/Foster 1932 to 1950 Piarist Fathers 1951 to 1997 Graycliff Conservancy, 1997 to Present

Wright Design for Graycliff, 1926 -1928


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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Landscape Design:Graycliff

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)“Distinguishing himself from other architects,

Wright saw the entire site as a visual field where the gardens and landscape were treated with as muchgardens and landscape were treated with as much importance and purpose as the building itself.” --Kathryn Smith

• Rejection of historical garden models from England, Italy, etc in favor of the treatment of plans as abstract sculptural forms that continued architectural forms and intentions into the landscape

• Treatment of the garden as a spatial composition rather than as a composition of decorative surface patterns

“The idea that the house was a frame, the lower story of which was transparent, for the distant view of a large body of water, establishes Graycliff among Wright’s most important integrations


patterns• The use of water features such as pools, fountains

and cascades to introduce movement and reflection• The use of Japanese principals of landscape

gardening….

important integrations of architecture and landscape.” –Kathryn Smith

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Landscape Design: the influence of Japan

• Conceiving of the landscape garden around his buildings as ideal natural scenery

• Integrating the building[s] into the external world by extending the gardens into the surrounding environment through the use of shakkei or borrowed scenery

• Introducing water features to link the site with the external world

Wright in Japan, first in 1905; then


• Conceiving the entire visual field as the precinct of the site

from 1916-1922

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Shipman Planting Design, 1929-1931 Ellen Biddle Shipman, greatest

garden maker in America, 1920s

1929-1931, Shipman develops l d llandscape plans

1931, culmination of Wright and Shipman designs, Martin influence


Ellen Biddle Shipman, 1930s Planting


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Graycliff, Post Depression, A Retreat

1931 to 1942, Great Depression and WWII

1935 Darwin D. Martin dies

Removal of Wright elements & landscape change


Piarist Era Graycliff, 1950s -1990s

1943 Isabelle Martin dies

1950s, Piarist1950s, Piarist Fathers

Residential & school use

Many additions and changes in landscape


landscape

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Graycliff Conservancy Era, 1997-Present

Graycliff Conservancy ownership

Remnants of Wright & gShipman landscapes

Removals of non-historic building structures

Restoration of historic building exteriors & structural repairs

Losses to landscape


pzones, features & character

Public tours and access

Piarist Building Additions Removed


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Restoration of Building Exteriors Completed


What is a Cultural Landscape Report?

Research & Analysis Based Document Yields a comprehensive understanding

of the landscape through timep g Identifies significant landscape character

and features Analyzes change over time Establishes preservation goals Provides interpretive content Guides management and treatment


Guides management and treatment Provides plan for phased implementation Aids in project support & funding

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Cultural Landscape Report1. Conduct Historic Research, Narrative,

Historic Period Plans

2. Document Existing Conditions, Augment Survey Lidar Cliff Face RecordSurvey, Lidar Cliff Face Record

3. Analyze Historic Landscape Features & Character

4. Prepare Landscape Treatment Preservation & Restoration Details

5. Identify Implementation Priorities, Phasing & Costs


6. Develop Maintenance Plan with Staffing, Skills, Calendar

7. Submit Drafts, Hold Hands-on Work Sessions, Finalize Report

Graycliff Landscape Units


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Unity of Landscape & Architecture The environment and

the building are one

The ‘grammar’ of the house is its manifesthouse is its manifest articulation of all its parts

Integral to the site, to purpose and to owner

Site, structure, furnishing - decoration too planting as well -


too, planting as well -all these become as one in organic architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright Plan, 1927


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Graycliff, 1928 Period Plan


Initial Completion: Wright-designedDrive, Pool, Sunken Gardens, Esplanade, Tennis Court, Home Grounds Wall, Tree Plantings

Wright: Primary Design Principles Views: House was designed to act as a frame to

view the main feature, Lake Erie. Esplanade: Sunken Garden was intermediary

between house and lake.Pl t M t i l I f l t i d Plant Materials: Informal tree massing, gardens as limited highlight, deference to lake scenery.

Unified Composition: Landscape designed as spatial composition, not decorative surface patterns.

Water Features: Water introduced, pools connect property to central natural feature, Lake Erie.

Japanese Influence: Japanese principles of


landscape gardening, especially borrowed scenery were employed.

(Drawn from Kathryn Smith essay and Heritage Landscapes analysis.)

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Frank Lloyd Wright on Site Integration

Wright design as constructed Adjusted off cardinal points for light

L d id t i l l t h t f d d i


Land side entry - irregular pool, porte-cochere, turf, and drive Lake side - sunken garden with rock mosaic angles and low walls Integration of materials, landscape and architecture Local limestone

Ellen Biddle Shipman Plan, 1930


Shipman working within Wright’s organization, retaining drive, masonry, sunken beds, trees, adding definition of spaces, framing/screen plantings

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Summer 1931 Pivot Point - Wright Pool remains, Shipman plantings begin

Shipman Plan for Esplanade, 1930


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Shipman & Martin, pool removed, maturation of plantings- Home Grounds, Depression-era fruit-vegetable gardens



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Graycliff Conservancy Era, 1997-Present


Graycliff 2008 Existing Conditions

Piarist removals complete

New survey & cliff face Lidar scan

Building restoration progress

Stair Tower, deteriorated

Cliff face failed, bench fallen

Trees matured - additions & losses, character change

Pool rebuilt temporary with plantings

Poor soil fertility, slow plant growth rates

N d i ki i


New drives, parking compromise meadow, pines

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Graycliff Cliff Lidar Image by TVGA Consultants


Current Use, Maintenance & Operations

Graycliff Landscape Use Assessment

Typical Visitor & Tour UsesTypical Visitor & Tour Uses Staff and Volunteers Use Issues of Accessibility & Safety Access & Parking

Current Landscape Maintenance & Operations


& Operations Tasks and Seasonality Staffing and Responsibilities

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Graycliff Analysis Compare 1931-2008

1931 Period Plan


2008 Existing Conditions

Character-Defining Features OverviewQuantitative Summary:

Codes Used - track through time

Designed Constructed Designed, Constructed, Retained, Altered, etc.

Itemized by Area and Feature

Prelude Preservation Treatment

Historic elements, present & remnant direct care in

Graycl i ff : Wright on the Lake

interventions

CDFs Summary - what is present and missing

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Graycliff Landscape Significance

Sole intersection of Wright & Shipman

Important commission for Wright in difficult time, Martin as


p gbusiness supporter

Significant mid-career design

Integrated architecture and landscape with water

Graycliff Landscape Treatment

2008 Existing Conditions


Proposed Landscape Restoration Plan

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Graycliff Landscape Restoration


Proposed Landscape Restoration Plan target summer 1931

Graycliff Landscape Restoration

Target landscape restoration date, 1931 Regain landscape character to works of Wright and Shipman Reinforce sense of wonder and seclusion in unique lakeside setting Evoke engaging character of property during the Martin era


Evoke engaging character of property during the Martin era Recapture historic visual relationships to extent possible Apply sustainable measures, drainage management inland Enhance visitor experience- enjoyment, education, interpretation

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Speakers & Contact Information

Sarah LeVaun Graulty, Heritage Landscapes LLC

Preservation Landscape Architects & Planners

[email protected]

802.425.4330

Reine Hauser, Graycliff Conservancy


[email protected]

716.947.9217

Documents

Graycliff: Wright on the Lake - Heritage Landscapes · Microsoft PowerPoint - Graycliff-HL-RH-AIANYS-14Oct2010-Final-POD-16Dec2010 [Compatibility Mode] Author: HLVT3 User Created