A transcript of my oral report on Greene and Greene (part of my final in a furniture-making class) I was given 5 minutes, so I had to keep it brief!:
I think there is a tendency in our society to dismiss craftsmanship as an out-dated notion, and to relegate woodworking to “craft†status, somewhere between macramé and potholder knitting. So I volunteered for this oral report, A) to show that craftsmanship & woodworking are a vital part of art, industry, and architecture, and B) because I badly need the extra credit. <!—-><!—-> <!—->
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I chose for my subject theme the architectural firm known as Greene and Greene – specifically, Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene. Born in Ohio of New England stock, schooled at MIT, also known as Boston Tech, they developed their trademark style in <!—-> <!—-><!—->Pasadena<!—->, <!—->California<!—-><!—->, in the era prior to WW1<!—-><!—->
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Even as teenagers, their career in architecture was already a given. They attended the Manual Training School of Washington University, a pre-engineering high school where math, drawing, and wood and metal working were taught in order to develop a hands-on appreciation for the virtue of skilled labor and craftsmanship. <!—-> <!—->
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This early training had an enormous impact on the brothers, which deeply affected their design work. Even in later life, they would often do skilled woodworking on their own projects – something unheard of for a modern architect in today’s world. <!—-><!—->
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While Greene and Greene were proficient in a number of styles, at some point they fell under the influence of Gustav Stickley’s emerging Craftsman Style. Coupled with their love of Asian art and architecture, they developed their own trademark style, sometimes called “ultimate bungalowâ€. <!—-> <!—->
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They created homes and entire interiors, ranging from the architecture and engineering of the structure to the design and detailing of the doors, windows, furniture, carpets, stained glass, tile, metalwork, light fixtures, pottery, and even landscaping. <!—-> <!—->
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Their furniture designs show an elegance and subtlety not present in most craftsman-style furniture. And I don’t think its an exaggeration to say that their woodworking joinery elevated their best homes to the status of furniture large enough to live in.<!—-><!—->
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One obstacle the Greene’s encountered was the difficulty of finding craftsmen with the level of skill required to build their designs. Thus, their work was greatly benefited by their collaboration with the Hall brothers, Peter and John, two Swedish immigrants skilled in the Old-World techniques of working with wood. The Greene’s met the Hall brothers in 1904, and began a long relationship that took the craftsmanship and detailing of their projects to new heights. <!—-> <!—->
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Greene and Greene struggled to balance the demands of their uncompromising artistic vision with the economic realities of producing work-for-hire. Many letters survive wherein again and again, we find Charles Greene defending their work, explaining why quality work costs more, and takes longer. Characteristically, their work cost more because they demanded and paid for premium craftsmanship, but did not themselves amass any significant wealth while building masterpiece homes for the wealthy.<!—-><!—->
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Although the Greene’s continued to work their artistic and architectural magic throughout their lives, the bulk of their best work took place in a flurry of creative years just prior to WW1, while they were still young men. They received some recognition for their work, but as a post-war Modernism swept the world, their contributions were largely forgotten. <!—-> <!—->
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Their commissions tapered off, their partnership broke up, and their work became sporadic at best. Like many creative geniuses, their lives are a study in the frustration and disillusionment that result from pouring one’s heart and energies into pursuing a personal artistic vision in a largely critical and unappreciative world, driven more by economics than aesthetics. <!—-> <!—->
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Just as some of Van Gogh’s paintings were found after his death being used to patch holes in a chicken fence, much of the Greene’s incredible work was demolished, remodeled, or painted over. When visiting one of his architectural projects later in life, Henry Greene reportedly wept when he saw how even the embossed gold leaf on a ceiling design had been painted over.<!—-> <!—->
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It wasn’t until near the end of their lives that they began to get a sense of a renewed appreciation for what they had done. And as is always the case, the real recognition for their accomplishments materialized after their death.<!—-><!—->
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Today they are recognized for having left behind a legacy of great furniture and architectural design, even stunning landscape designs, which continue to inspire students and followers of great design, almost a hundred years later.<!—-><!—->
“I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun.”
Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe
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this is a copy of the handout I gave everyone following my presentation:
GREENE & GREENE: artists, architects, craftsmen, and interior designers
WHO: brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, architectural firm: Greene and Greene
WHAT: established a style later known as the “ultimate bungalow” that took the Craftsman style of architecture and interiors to a heightened level of craftsmanship, detailing, and aesthetics.
Treated the production of residential architecture, interiors, and wood furniture as an art form of both functional and aesthetic beauty. Developed a trademark style based on combining the unpretentious integrity of Gustav Stickley’s “Craftsman” ideal with the subtle beauty of Asian art and architecture.
Created entire interiors, ranging from the architecture and engineering of the structure to the design and detailing of the doors, windows, furniture, carpets, stained glass, tile, metalwork, light fixtures, and pottery.
Left behind a legacy of great furniture and residential architecture design, even stunning landscape designs, which continue to awe and inspire students and followers of great design, almost a hundred years later.
WHEN: early in the 20th century, during the years preceding the first world war of 1914-1919
WHERE: Pasadena, California
WHY: Both brothers were schooled in the fundamentals of craftsmanship based on sound design principles.
Charles Greene, the more artistic and creative member of Greene and Greene, sought to achieve an ideal of beauty both of form and function, based on an unpretentious style that celebrated the inherent attractiveness of good craftsmanship.
Supported by the pragmatic and industrious Henry Greene, his younger brother, the two men sought to establish an architectural vocabulary native to California, and in so doing achieved a level of remarkable beauty that celebrates the power of good design to inspire, and to enhance life.
Biblioigraphy:
Greene & Greene, by Edward Bosley
Greene & Greene by Marvin Rand
Greene & Greene Masterworks by Bruce Smith and Alexander Vertikoff
http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/greeneandgreene/
http://members.aol.com/dbhellman/CHAIRS.html
QUOTES:
“It is too much to expect that anyone may see the excellence of this kind of thing in a few days. The work itself took months to execute and the best years of my life went to develop this style. ..Into your busy life I have sought to bring what lay in my power of the best that I could do for Art and for you” - Charles Greene, regarding the expense of constructing a stone wall
“The idea was to eliminate everything unnecessary, to make the whole as direct and simple as possible, but always with the beautiful in mind as the first goal…” -Henry Greene
“Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles Greene
“Business, I admit, must be run upon business lines, but this is not business, this is the art of helping to make living pleasurable and beautiful beyond the merely useful” - Charles Greene
“Perhaps one of the greatest legacies of Charles and Henry Greene, along with their extraordinary, decorative arts, and other tangible output, is the uncompromising will of two men in a quiet corner of California who toiled for a level of perfection that each felt to be unobtainable, but worth striving for. In doing so, they created some of the most enduring masterpieces of the last century.” - Edward R. Bosley
"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
some photos of a Greene and Greene inspired home on the Calif. coast
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
I like the rain chain and the wedged iron column strapping.
Too bad the house couldn't be sited on a nice huge parcel, with a little privacy. That deck and terrace in the back apparently have a street nearby.
Privacy doesn't seem to be an issue - since it doesn't appear that anyone lives there. Reminds me of when I used to be a mailman in Montecito. Huge castles, in the gorgeous countryside, but no one lives there. Sometimes the housekeepers, I guess."I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
I love that "cloud lift" on the doors and the almost clinker brick, not to mention the iron bands around the post. But then I have always loved Greene and Greene designs and that one really shows the inspiration. Someday I hope to see the Gambrel house in person - I've only ever seen pictures in books.
Edited to add: you can tell that the home was built in modern times though, since Greene and Greene homes generally seem to have very few windows. None of the pictures I have seen included large expanses of glass like that one.
Edited 5/15/2007 2:09 am by aimless
If you go to the Gambel house, you need to pick up tickets first thing in the morning. They only issue tickets on the day of, and there is no advance or on-line purchase. And there is a limited number of tickets.We went out, but only got to see the outside. All the tickets were gone.
Here is a pic (from Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrissam42/392730755/) of a temple gate in Sapporo. You can really see the connection between Asian architecture, and the Greene and Greene style.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
My personal favorite style. What a beautiful residence. Imagine coming home to that entrance.
Where is that place located?
Where is that place located?
Cambria Pines, about 20 min. south of San Simeon (Hearst Castle), about a block from the beach. A small empty lot near this house is listed for 1.7 million."I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
I know the area. I'm in Eugene, OR, but I've surfed all up and down the coast. Spent a lot of time in San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay. Also ridden bikes over from Paso Robles wine country. Really cool area.
Yes, it is a great area. I live in Bakersfield, the armpit of Calif., so I visit there frequently. Matter of fact, I'm headed over for the afternoon today. Here's a few snapshots from my collection.
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
That house is awesome. Love the stonework, too. I don't really have much interest in traveling to CA, but I would very much like to see some G&G houses in person.
I would like some comment on the aquarium cabinets I recently completed in a Greene & Greene style.
Very nice! I never get tired of that style and yours is an excellent interpretation. Thanks for sharing / inspiring!
Wow! Beautiful aquarium!
Oh yeah, very nice cabinet work, also!!"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
Very nice. Now, how about a Steampunkt version--that could be pretty cool!
What an amazing job. Is that a Mahogany Crotch veneer or solid? Your finish looks incredible. I am just finishing a project with some crotch makore veneer.
Brad
It is a Mahagony crotch veneer with Watco Danish oil finish. The veneer was not flat when I bought it. The flattening process was arduous but rewarding in the end. I didn't use a home made receipe for softening the wood but opted for the commercial "elixir" since it was developed as a glue "enhancer" and would not interfere with adhesion. Homemade receipes might enhibit glueing. I used TITEBOND III glue throughout.
This aquarium is installed between an office and a reading room. This photo shows the other side.
GF20 is wonderful for flattening too. I have tried the homemade solution and the results were not as good as the GF20. The glue in the homemade version will definetly effect a stain, but I cant imagine applying a stain to such a project. I hadnt heard of Elixr. I have tried the stuff Joe Woodworker sells too and it is pretty much the same as GF20.
Did you need to use any fillers for the knotty grain areas?
Crotch and burl veneers are such a pain to work with, but worth it in the end.
Great job.
What I perceived to be a potiental problem with the "home brew" was the presence of glycerine in the receipe. More than one application of the liquid could result in an excess of glycerine thus preventing the glue to stick. By "elixir" I meant a witch's brew as I don't know what it consists of. It is labeled as "Veneer Softener" but does not list ingredients. What ever is in it, it sure did plasticize this crotch veneer. I used no fillers in these flicth cuts but in a few places cut from the spare sheet to fix a problem area.
Wow! Thems some happy fish. I can see 'em smilin'!
Thank you for the education on G&G. That was definitely appreciated.
Great job!
Joe
“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
Thanks Huck,
Nice to learn a bit more about G&G.
I ran across this when looking for some Stickley info this week and thought you might be interested in the photos.
http://www.stickleyhomeforsale.com/
Best,
Steve
I saw this sign in front of another house on the coast, under construction. The tribute to Greene and Greene is obvious, so I snapped a pic.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe