Study Notes for American Arts & Crafts

American Arts & Crafts

The Craftsman (Periodical)

  • Volume I, Issue 1 (October, 1901)

    • Focus on a bungalow with unique construction and irregular form.

    • Published by The United Crafts in Eastwood, New York.

    • Price: 20 cents per copy.

    • Copyright: 1901 by Gustave Schles.

    • Features contributions on William Morris's life, work, and influence.

Bungalow Design Overview

  • Architect: Mr. George D. Rand of Auburndale, Massachusetts.

    • Sketches adapted from Rand's original designs.

    • Bungalow located in the mountains of New Hampshire.

    • Design emphasizes adaptability and modifications for construction tailored by The Craftsman.

Characteristics of the Bungalow

  • Design: Irregular yet proportionally harmonious architecture.

    • Elicits resemblance to older English houses altered over time to meet varying needs.

    • Aesthetic relationship between house and hillside location is paramount, especially the alignment from the roof to the boat landing area.

  • Construction:

    • Exterior walls and roof are made of shingles.

    • Foundations, parapets, columns, and chimneys crafted from split stone laid in dark cement.

    • The irregular roof structure maintains an aura of grace and dignity.

Detail of Outdoor Areas

  • Recessed Court:

    • Paved with red cement designed to resemble squares or tiles.

    • Covered with a pergola showcasing intricate structural details.

  • Porch Design:

    • Serves as an outdoor living space closely aligned to the inner rooms.

    • Constructed similar to the court, featuring a wide-eave roof for protection against weather.

    • Can be enclosed during inclement weather.

    • Contains a large stone fireplace mirroring the indoor counterpart, enhancing outdoor warmth.

Interior Layout

  • Living Arrangements:

    • Entrance leads to a small hall acting as an alcove for the living room, which connects to bedrooms on the opposite side.

    • Bathroom centrally located to facilitate access from all bedrooms, separated from living areas for privacy.

    • The overall layout designed to balance utility and comfort.

Prominent Figures

  • Gustav Stickley (1858-1942)

    • Key proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement focusing on handcrafted furniture and design principles.

Notable Architectural Works

  1. Williams-Polk House

    • Architect: Willis Polk (1892)

    • Location: Russian Hill

  2. Church of the New Jerusalem, San Francisco (1895)

    • Designed by A.C. Schweinfurth for A. Page Brown, with contribution from Charles Keeler.

  3. Bernard Ralph Maybeck (1862-1957)

    • Early life in Greenwich Village, New York City.

    • Trained in woodcarving and furniture making; furthered studies in architecture at Jules André's atelier in Paris.

    • Made significant contributions to the Swedenborgian Church in San Francisco.

  4. Roos House, San Francisco (1909)

    • Layout including kitchen, dining areas, entry, library, and living spaces.

  5. First Church of Christian Science, Berkeley, California (1910)

    • Another iconic design by Bernard Maybeck.

  6. Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco (1915)

    • Featured a panoramic view and various artistic displays.

    • Palace of Fine Arts built by Maybeck between 1912 and 1915.

  7. Julia Morgan (1872-1957)

    • Notable contributions including:

      • Esquisse from the Beaux-Arts for Hearst Gymnasium (1920).

      • Bell Tower at Mills College (1904).

      • Hearst Castle (1920-1938) featuring both Roman and Neptune Pools.

Greene & Greene

  • Charles Sumner Greene (1868-1957) and Henry Mather Greene (1870-1954)

    • Brothers who studied woodworking, metalsmithing, and architecture at MIT.

    • Initially influenced by traditional Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles before evolving.

    • Notable works include:

    • Bandini Bungalow (1903), based on Casa de la Guerra, influenced by Japanese architecture seen at the World’s Columbian Exposition (1893).

    • Japanese Tea House from the St. Louis World’s Fair (1904).

    • Blacker House (1907) and Gamble House (1908) in Pasadena, showcasing their mastery of integrating structures with nature through designs emphasizing harmony and craftsmanship.