Post on 17-Oct-2020
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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.
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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
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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.
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The Graycliff Estate: A Complex Whole Three Buildings Set within 8.4 Acres of Landscape
Isabelle R. Martin HouseFoster House
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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
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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
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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
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• 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
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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
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Piarist Era Graycliff, 1950s -1990s
1943 Isabelle Martin dies
1950s, Piarist1950s, Piarist Fathers
Residential & school use
Many additions and changes in landscape
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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
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pzones, features & character
Public tours and access
Piarist Building Additions Removed
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Restoration of Building Exteriors Completed
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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
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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
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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 -
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Shipman working within Wright’s organization, retaining drive, masonry, sunken beds, trees, adding definition of spaces, framing/screen plantings
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Graycliff, 1931 Period Plan
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Summer 1931 Pivot Point - Wright Pool remains, Shipman plantings begin
Shipman Plan for Esplanade, 1930
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Graycliff, 1937 Period Plan
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Shipman & Martin, pool removed, maturation of plantings- Home Grounds, Depression-era fruit-vegetable gardens
Graycliff, 1967 Period Plan
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Graycliff Conservancy Era, 1997-Present
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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
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New drives, parking compromise meadow, pines
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Graycliff Cliff Lidar Image by TVGA Consultants
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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
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& Operations Tasks and Seasonality Staffing and Responsibilities
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Graycliff Analysis Compare 1931-2008
1931 Period Plan
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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
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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
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p gbusiness supporter
Significant mid-career design
Integrated architecture and landscape with water
Graycliff Landscape Treatment
2008 Existing Conditions
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Proposed Landscape Restoration Plan
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Graycliff Landscape Restoration
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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
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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
graulty@heritagelandscapes.cc
802.425.4330
Reine Hauser, Graycliff Conservancy
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rihauser@roadrunner.com
716.947.9217