The Gamble House
From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog
The Gamble House, located in Pasadena California, was designed by Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene. It was designed between 1907 and 1908 and constructed between 1908 and 1909 for David B. Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987 the house is recognized as a masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts Movement in America.[1].
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Building information
Designer: Charles and Henry Greene
Program type: Residence
Project budget: $79,000.000 for house, garage, landscape
Project Address:
4 Westmoreland Pl.
Pasadena, CA 91103-3593
Building analysis
Charles and Henry Greene received certificates in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and continued their education through apprenticeships at architectural firms in Boston. Charles became interested in the English Arts and Crafts movement while traveling in Great Britain, and both brothers were introduced to Japanese architecture at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago [2]. These architectural styles, combined with a love of nature, were to influence the philosophy of Greene and Greene. The design of the Gamble House embodies the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement through the use of hand crafted materials and integration of building, furnishings, and landscape. Perhaps more significantly, the design is notable because of its departure from traditional historic influences. Instead, the Greene’s drew their inspiration from nature. While the design reflects influences of Japanese, Swiss and Indian architectural traditions, the essential inspiration of the house is the life and character of California. [3]. For example, the leaded stained glass entry doors were inspired by the California Oak. Sensitivity to the climate is reflected in the broad terraces and sleeping porches which promote cross ventilation. Respect for the California landscape is evoked throughout the interior and exterior of the house in the form of exposed structural timbers and shingles, articulated joinery, built in cabinetry, hand carved paneling, and furniture.[4].
Detail analysis
“The whole construction was carefully thought out, and there was a reason for every detail. 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 final goal.”
Henry Mather Greene 1912
In keeping with the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement, every aspect of the house is a contributing part of the design statement and harmonious living environment. [5] The elaborate stained glass details in the lighting fixtures were designed by Charles Greene and executed by glassmaker Emil Lange, a craftsman with whom the Greene’s worked frequently. The lighting fixtures throughout the house are made of leaded stained glass, leather, metal and exotic woods such as Burmese teak, Honduras Mahogany and ebony. The sconce featured here is one of a pair located in the dining room of the Gamble House. It is made of Mahogany, ebony and iridescent leaded stained glass and measures 10.75 x 8.25 inches [6]. It is constructed with mortise and tenon joints, a technique used extensively throughout the house.
References
Notes
- ↑ Meister, M. (2007). Two Arts and Crafts houses: paradigms in Pasadena and Boston, Antiques, 172 (3), 112-119.
- ↑ http://www.gamblehouse.org/architects/index.html
- ↑ http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/gamble/index.htm
- ↑ http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/greeneandgreene/157.html
- ↑ Meister, M. (2007). Two Arts and Crafts houses: paradigms in Pasadena and Boston, Antiques, 172 (3), 112-119.
- ↑ http://dpg.lib.berkeley.edu/webdb/ggva/search? project=&sort=project&keyword=gamble+house&pageno=19&id=GGUSC-Gamble-DA-044A
Student contributions
- Mary Ellen Sullivan, Spring 2010
External links
Additional resources
- Smith, B. and Vertikoff, A. (1998). Greene and Greene: Masterworks. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
- Bosley, E.R. (1992). Gamble House: Greene and Greene. London, England: Phaidon Press Limited.
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