Monastery at Large

Category: Renaissance Revival

  • Glenn Memorial Church (1931) – Atlanta

    Hentz, Adler & Shuze. Glenn Memorial Church, North Druid Hills, Atlanta
    Hentz, Adler & Shuze. Glenn Memorial Church, North Druid Hills, Atlanta.1 2 3 4 5
    South elevation and steeple of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    South elevation and steeple of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Portico of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Portico of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Steeple on Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Steeple on Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Cornice and Scamozzi pilaster capitals on Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Cornice and Scamozzi pilaster capitals on Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Belvedere on the steeple of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Belvedere on the steeple of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Looking up at the entrance portico of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Looking up at the entrance portico of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Portico and main entrance on the west facade of Glenn Memorial Church
    Portico and main entrance on the facade of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Niche on the entrance portico of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Niche on the entrance portico of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Keystone and cast stone ornamentation over the main entrance of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Keystone and cast stone ornamentation over the main entrance of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Looking at the columns of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta
    Looking at the columns of Glenn Memorial Church, Atlanta

    References

    1. “Memorial To Glenn Planned For Emory”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 26, 1929, p. 7. ↩︎
    2. “Building In The South”. The Atlanta Journal, December 8, 1929, p. D8. ↩︎
    3. “Glenn Memorial Church At Emory University, To Cost $500,000, Is Started”. The Atlanta Journal, July 11, 1930, p. 3. ↩︎
    4. “Glenn Memorial Church Exercise Is Planned Oct. 4”. The Atlanta Journal, September 27, 1931, p. 2B. ↩︎
    5. “Novel Design Enables Building at Emory to Serve Students Also”. The Atlanta Journal, October 4, 1931, p. B3. ↩︎

  • V.H. Kriegshaber Residence (1901) – Atlanta

    Willis F. Denny. Victor Kriegshaber Residence (1901). Inman Park, Atlanta.
    Willis F. Denny. Victor Kriegshaber Residence (1901). Inman Park, Atlanta.1
    Terracotta pediment and stained-glass transom over the front door of the V.H. Kreigshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Terracotta pediment and stained-glass transom over the front door of the V.H. Kreigshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Chimney and dormer on V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Chimney and dormer on the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    South elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    South elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Dormer on the south elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Dormer on the south elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Bay window on the south elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Bay window on the south elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Terracotta pediment over a window on the south elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Terracotta pediment over a window on the south elevation of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Window on the facade of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Window on the facade of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Column, capital and cornice on the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Column, capital, and cornice on the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Palmette ornamentation on the dormer of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Palmette ornamentation on the dormer of the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Roof finial on the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta
    Roof finial on the V.H. Kriegshaber Residence, Atlanta

    References

    1. “Many Residences Soon To Be Built In Atlanta”. The Atlanta Constitution, July 10. 1901, p. 7. ↩︎

  • Villard Houses (1885) – New York

    Joseph Wells of McKim, Mead & White. Henry Villard Residence (1885). New York.
    Joseph Wells of McKim, Mead & White. Villard Houses (1885). New York.

    Six of New York’s surviving Gilded Age mansions hide in plain sight on Madison Avenue, and most people would never suspect they were once residences.

    Stretching across an entire block, the imposing Villard Houses complex looks every bit like a public building, but it was initially designed as six attached townhomes.

    Location of the Villard Houses

    Henry Villard originally owned the property, and in the early 1880s, he hired McKim, Mead & White to design houses on it for himself and five other executives of his railroad company.1

    With the firm’s star designer, Stanford White, otherwise engaged, the project’s design fell to Joseph Wells, an assistant who discarded White’s original sketches and opted for an exquisite Renaissance-inspired scheme.2

    North wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    North wing of the Villard Houses, New York

    Wells’ work on this project was magnificent. Judging from this and his designs for the New York Life Buildings in Kansas City and Omaha, and the Russell & Erwin Building in New Britain, Connecticut, I’d venture to say he was more talented than White—certainly he was more disciplined.

    Wells styled the Villard Houses as an Italian palazzo, reportedly inspired by the Palazzo della Cancelleria, Palazzo Farnese,3 and Villa Farnesina.4

    The three-story homes included basements and attics and were built around a central courtyard, with brownstone facades and a tile roof. The ornamentation is sparse but striking, forming a tasteful, cohesive design that is far more subdued than many of White’s buildings, which were often quite garish.

    Courtyard of the Villard Houses, New York
    Courtyard of the Villard Houses, New York

    The Villard Houses marked an important turning point for McKim, Mead & White, as Wells’ Renaissance-influenced design received widespread public acclaim, prompting the firm to look increasingly toward Italian architecture for inspiration.5

    The project itself was a bust, however: Villard’s company failed during construction, and the homes were put up for sale before the interiors were completed.6 Typical Gilded Age bullshit. The firm ultimately finished the interiors of four of the homes.7

    South wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    South wing of the Villard Houses, New York

    Stanford White and Joseph Wells reportedly had a complex and contentious relationship that grew increasingly strained through the 1880s as White’s hard-partying lifestyle began to eclipse his work output, and Wells handled major projects without credit or commensurate pay.8

    Although he was virtually unknown to the public, Wells was highly esteemed in the architectural community, and when he abruptly died in 1890, his friend Cass Gilbert said he “had the temperament which makes artists unfit to cope with the world, and which, therefore, kept them always as assistant rather than principals.”9 Woof.

    Granted, I tend to root for talented people who stay out of the spotlight, but I consider Wells an unsung genius, and the Villard Houses are undoubtedly his finest surviving work.

    Looking at the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Looking at the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York

    Gallery

    Looking at the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Looking at the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Looking at the south wing of the Villard Houses from East 50th Street, New York
    Looking at the south wing of the Villard Houses from East 50th Street, New York
    Second and third-floor windows on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second and third-floor windows on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second-floor balcony on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second-floor balcony on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor windows on the facade of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor windows on the facade of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor window on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor window on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Console and ornamentation on a second-floor balcony of the Villard Houses, New York
    Console and ornamentation on a second-floor balcony of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor and attic windows on the facade of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor and attic windows on the facade of the Villard Houses, New York
    Main entrance to the Villard Houses, New York
    Main entrance to the Villard Houses, New York
    Ornamentation on the main entrance of the Villard Houses, New York
    Ornamentation on the main entrance of the Villard Houses, New York
    Quoins on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Quoins on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Cornice and brackets on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Cornice and brackets on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Dormers on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Dormers on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Entrance to the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Entrance to the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Dormer window on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Dormer on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Chimney on the Villard Houses, New York
    Chimney on the Villard Houses, New York
    Attic windows on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Attic windows on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second-floor balcony on the Villard Houses, New York
    Second-floor balcony on the Villard Houses, New York
    Light at the entrance to the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Light at the entrance to the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor double window on the facade of the Villard Houses, New York
    Third-floor double window on the facade of the Villard Houses, New York
    Dormers and chimney on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Dormers and chimney on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Console and ornamentation on a second-floor balcony of the Villard Houses, New York
    Console and ornamentation on a second-floor balcony of the Villard Houses, New York
    First-floor window on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    First-floor window on the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second-floor windows on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second-floor windows on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Second and third-floor windows on the Villard Houses, New York
    Second and third-floor windows on the Villard Houses, New York
    Column at the entrance gate to the Villard Houses, New York
    Column at the entrance gate to the Villard Houses, New York
    Looking at the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Looking at the north wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Rusticated brownstone on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York
    Rusticated brownstone on the south wing of the Villard Houses, New York

    Interior10

    Mantel in Entrance Hall, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Mantel in Entrance Hall, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Door to Dining Room, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Door to Dining Room, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Lunette over mantel, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Lunette over mantel, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Entrance Hall, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Entrance Hall, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Dining Room, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Dining Room, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Mantel in Dining Room, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York
    Mantel in Dining Room, Henry Villard Residence at the Villard Houses, New York

    Elevations and Floorplan11

    West Elevation of the Villard Houses, New York
    West Elevation of the Villard Houses, New York
    First floor plan of the Villard Houses, New York
    First floor plan of the Villard Houses, New York

    References

    1. Broderick, Mosette. Triumvirate: McKim, Mead & White. New York: Alfred A. Knopf (2010), p. 226. ↩︎
    2. ibid. ↩︎
    3. ibid. ↩︎
    4. White, Samuel G. The Houses of McKim, Mead & White. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. (1998)., p. 79. ↩︎
    5. Broderick, Mosette. Triumvirate: McKim, Mead & White. New York: Alfred A. Knopf (2010), p. 230. ↩︎
    6. ibid., pp. 228-9. ↩︎
    7. White, Samuel G. The Houses of McKim, Mead & White. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. (1998)., p. 79. ↩︎
    8. Broderick, Mosette. Triumvirate: McKim, Mead & White. New York: Alfred A. Knopf (2010), pp. 275, 288-89, 295-96. ↩︎
    9. ibid, p. 298. ↩︎
    10. A Monograph of the Work of McKim Mead & White, 1879-1915. New York: The Architectural Book Publishing Company, 1915. ↩︎
    11. ibid. ↩︎

  • Robert Wilson Patterson Residence (1903) – Washington, D.C.

    Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White. Robert Wilson Patterson Residence (1903). Washington, D.C.
    Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White. Robert Wilson Patterson Residence (1903). Washington, D.C.1

    The only thing that makes this home’s exterior truly interesting is its unique butterfly shape, designed to conform to its site overlooking Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle.

    Location of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence

    Otherwise, it’s fairly standard for Stanford White‘s later work, with an overwrought mishmash of Renaissance-inspired details that appears fitful and fussy, akin to the cluttered walls of an old art gallery.

    However, the marble and limestone construction is quite exquisite on close observation.

    White claimed the design had a “light and rather joyous character.”2

    I’m not sure about “joyous,” but I can go along with “light,” as the abundance of windows in the structure gives it an airy feel, particularly when the sun hits all five sides of the facade.

    Ornamentation on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Ornamentation on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.

    The home was built at the same time as White’s partner, Charles F. McKim, was designing the nearby East Wing of the White House, which…is no longer with us.

    The Patterson Mansion is currently occupied by short-term rental units, and I hope to stay in one at some point in the future— preferably when D.C. is no longer occupied by madmen.

    God knows when that may be.

    Gallery

    Third-floor windows on the south facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Third-floor windows on the south facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Third-floor balcony on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Third-floor balcony on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Pediment over the entrance of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Pediment over the entrance of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Eaves, consoles, and cornice on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Eaves, consoles, and cornice on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Pediment and ornamentation over a second-floor window on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Pediment and ornamentation over a second-floor window on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Columns, pilasters, and marble panel on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Columns, pilasters, and marble panel on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Second- and third-floor windows and ornamentation on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Second- and third-floor windows and ornamentation on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Third-floor window, marble panel, and ornamentation on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Third-floor window, marble panel, and ornamentation on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Marble panel on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Marble panel on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Eaves, cornice, attic window, stringcourse, and ornamentation on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Eaves, cornice, attic window, stringcourse, and ornamentation on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Second, third-floor, and attic windows on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Second, third-floor, and attic windows on the facade of the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Ornamentation over a third-floor window on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Ornamentation over a third-floor window on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Second- and third-floor windows on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.
    Second- and third-floor windows on the Robert Wilson Patterson Residence, Washington, D.C.

    References

    1. National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Washington Club ↩︎
    2. White, Samuel G. The Houses of McKim, Mead & White. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. (1998), p. 212. ↩︎

  • Metropolitan Club (1894) – New York

    Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White. Metropolitan Club (1894). New York.
    Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White. Metropolitan Club (1894). New York.1

    The Fifth Avenue side of the Metropolitan Club enjoys just a few minutes of direct light in the winter, so I had to work fast for this picture.

    It was a freezing day in January—hours before a snowstorm hit—but damn it, the result was worth the misery.

    Location of the Metropolitan Club

    Of the many fine examples of Stanford White‘s work in New York, the Metropolitan Club is the best.

    The building’s composition is simple yet refined; the elements are perfectly balanced, and the facade is delicately textured with just the right amount of ornamentation.

    Someday I’ll get the detail shots.

    The structure was designed in the style of an Italian palazzo and built of marble, with opulent interiors that I’ll certainly never photograph. The club, after all, was founded by millionaires and is now patronized by billionaires.

    I’ll just take pics by the Halal cart across the street, thanks.

    Gallery

    Interior2

    Main Hall of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    Main Hall of the Metropolitan Club, New York

    Elevations, Sections, and Floorplans3

    Sixtieth Street Elevation of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    Sixtieth Street Elevation of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    Section and detail drawings of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    Section and detail drawings of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    First floor plan of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    First floor plan of the Metropolitan Club, New York
    Second floor plan of the Metropolitan Club, New York

    References

    1. “New Club Of The Millionaires.” The World (New York), February 25, 1894, p. 26. ↩︎
    2. A Monograph of the Work of McKim Mead & White, 1879-1915. New York: The Architectural Book Publishing Company, 1915. ↩︎
    3. ibid. ↩︎