MODERN DOMESTIC ARCHITCTURE IN AND AROUND ITHACA, NY: THE “FALLINGWATERS” OF RAYMOND VINER HALL A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Mahyar Hadighi January 2014 © 2014 Mahyar Hadighi ABSTRACT This research examines the role of Modern architecture in shaping the American dream through the work of a particular architect, Raymond Viner Hall, a Frank Lloyd Wright follower, in Ithaca, NY. Modernists’ ideas and Modern architecture played significant roles in the twentieth century post-depression urban history. Although the historic part of historic preservation does not commonly refer to twentieth century architecture, mid-century Modern architecture is an important part of the history and its preservation is important. Many of these mid-century Modern examples have already been destroyed, mainly because of lack of documentation, lack of general public knowledge, and lack of activity of advocacy groups and preservationists. Attention to the recent past history of Ithaca, New York, which is home of Cornell University and the region this research survey focuses on, is similarly not at the level it should be. Thus, in an attempt to begin to remedy this oversight, and in the capacity of a historic preservation-planning student at Cornell (with a background in architecture), a survey documenting the Modern architecture of the area was conducted. In the process of studying the significant recent history of Ithaca, a very interesting local adaptation of Wrightian architecture was discovered: the projects of Raymond Viner Hall (1908-1981), a semi-local Pennsylvanian architect, who was a Frank Lloyd Wright follower and son of the chief builder of Fallingwater. As a result, this paper concentrates on the architecture of Raymond Viner Hall, its adaptation of Wright’s Fallingwater and other Usonian and Prairie houses, as well i as its significant participation in the recent past history of architecture in the Ithaca area. Ultimately, this work explores the significant Modern architecture of Tompkins County, designed by locally, nationally and internationally known architects, chiefly associated with the Department of Architecture at Cornell University. By telling the story of Modernism in Ithaca, this thesis seeks to help preserve the recent past history of architecture in the area. The first building built in a Modernistic manner in the Ithaca area was designed by Raymond Viner Hall and built by his father. Raymond Hall’s participation in the history of Modern architecture of Ithaca is significant. Although Raymond’s architecture was noted in the mid-twentieth century architectural journals, his architecture has not been fully explored. This paper documents Raymond Viner Hall’s architecture in the Finger Lakes region and could be served as a reference for further research. It is an effort to protect and conserve Modern architecture of the Ithaca area. ii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Prior to his study in the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation Planning at Cornell, Mahyar Hadighi studied, researched, practiced and taught as an architect, mainly in Iran. He contributed to different local, national and international projects in the field of architecture, art, urban design, and historic preservation. Mahyar received several academic and professional scholarships and awards in both Iran and the USA. iii This master’s thesis is dedicated to one and all who love me… iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research project would not have been possible without the support of many people. I wish to express my gratitude to my thesis committee members, Professor Dr. Michael Tomlan and Professor Jeff Chusid. I also wish to thank other past and present faculty members of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning at Cornell University including, but not limited to, John Reps, John Clair Miller, Mary Woods, George Hascup, and John Zissovici. I would also like to express my appreciation to Dr. Nicolette de Csipkay and Rose Wellman for their great editorial assistance. This research was supported by Historic Ithaca Inc., Cornell University, and a Barclay Jones Research Grant, provided by Historic Preservation Planning Alumni Inc. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract i Biographical sketch iii Acknowledgments v Table of contents vi List of figures viii Introduction 1 1. The Development of Modern Architecture 5 I. The Rise of Modern Architecture 7 II. Post World War II Modern Architecture in the United States 24 III. The End of Modernism 26 2. Modernism in and Around Ithaca, NY: A Brief History 30 3. Frank Lloyd Wright and Fallingwater 82 I. Frank Lloyd Wright 84 II. Fallingwater 89 4. Raymond Viner Hall’s Architecture in Ithaca, NY 103 I. Raymond Viner Hall; A Biographical Sketch 104 II. Lynn Hall 105 III. Raymond Viner Hall’s Architecture 109 IV. Hall’s Participation in Ithaca, NY 113 1. The Walter and Martha Crissey Residence 115 2. The W. E. Dennis Residence 118 3. The James Lynn Hoard Residence 120 4. The Fletcher Woodcock Residence 124 5. The Victor K. D. Ross Residence 127 6. The Edward H. Litchfield Residence 130 5. Preserving Modern Architecture 135 I. Preservation of Modern Architecture; A Brief History 137 II. Preservation of Modern Architecture in the United States 139 vi III. Preservation of Modern Architecture; Challenges 142 IV. Recommendations 146 Conclusion 149 Bibliography 151 vii LIST OF FIGURES 1. Robie House, Chicago (1909), F.L. Wright. Image from www.architecture.about.com. 12 2. Schroder House (1924), Rietveld. Image from www.dwell.com. 12 3. The Bauhaus, Dessau, Germany (1925-26), Gropius. Image from arthistoryfeathers.wordpress.com/. 13 4. Villa Savoye in Poissy, France (1928-31), Le Corbusier. Image from finaleproject.files.wordpress.com. 14 5. Fallingwater (1935), F. L. Wright. Image from wright-house.com. 15 6. First Unitarian Meeting House in Madison (1949-51), F.L. Wright. Image from newamericanvillage.blogspot.com. 18 7. Sibbett House, San Francisco (ca. 1941), W. Wurster. Image from www.ou.edu. 19 8. Equitable Building, Portland (ca 1950), Bellusci. Photo by Helen S. O'Brien (postcard Rich and Phine Company, Portland). 20 9. The Aalto House (house and office) Helsinki, Finland (1934), Alvar Aalto. Image from www.mimoa.eu. 21 10. Unité d'Habitation de Marseille, Marseille, France (1952), Le Corbusier. Image from www.essential-architecture.com/STYLE/STY-M10.htm. 22 11. Farnsworth House, Plano, IL (1951), Mies van der Rohe. Image from eng.archinform.net/projekte/2096.htm. 23 12. Vanna Venturi House (1962), Robert Venturi. Image from www.archdaily.com. 26 13. Philip Johnson and the AT&T building model. Image from archimodels.info. 28 14. AT&T building in NYC (1984), Philip Johnson. Image from www.achievement.org. 28 15. The Walter and Martha Crissey Residence, Ithaca, NY (1941), east view, Raymond Hall. Image by the author. 32 16. Newman lab at Cornell (1947), SOM. Image by the author. 33 viii 17. Cornell Engineering Quad in 1964 . Image from Cornell Alumni News, Vol. 67, NO. 1 (July 1964). 34 18. Current Aerial view of Engineering Quad. Image from Google Maps. 35 19. Thurston Hall in the Engineering Quad. Image by the author. 36 20. Carpenter Hall in the Engineering Quad. Image by the author. 36 21. Upson Hall in the Engineering Quad. Image by the author. 37 22. Hollister Hall in the Engineering Quad, the central portion. Image by the author. 38 23. Hollister Hall in the Engineering Quad, the entrance. Image by the author. 38 24. Lustron House at 102 Homestead Rd, Ithaca, NY (1949). Image by the author. 39 25. Lustron House at 102 Homestead Rd, Ithaca, NY (1949). Image by the author. 39 26. Olin Library at Cornell (1957), Charles Warner. Image by the author. 41 27. Olin Library at Cornell (1957), Charles Warner, north elevation. Image from University Archives, http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu. 41 28. Clark Hall at Cornell (1965), Charles Warner. Image by the author. 42 29. Clark Hall at Cornell (1965), Charles Warner, interior. Image by the author. 43 30. Clark Hall at Cornell (1965), Charles Warner, interior. Image by the author. 43 31. Original Mallot Hall at Cornell (1963), Charles Warner. Image by the author. 44 32. The John Reps House (1954-1961), Original vs. Addition. Image by the author. 46 33. The original John Reps House (1954) under construction. Image from the Reps slide collection. 46 34. The Reps House (1961), Tom Canfieald. Image by the author. 47 35. Dillingham Center at Ithaca College (1969), Tom Canfield. Image by the author. 48 36. Dillingham Center at Ithaca College (1969), Tom Canfield. Image by the author. 48 ix 37. Dillingham Center at Ithaca College (1969), Tom Canfield, interior. Image by the author. 48 38. Dillingham Center at Ithaca College (1969), Tom Canfield. Image by the author. 49 39. Hill Center at Ithaca College (1964), Tom Canfield. Image by the author. 50 40. Hill Center at Ithaca College (1964), Tom Canfield. Image by the author. 50 41. Space Science Building at Cornell (1967-87), Ballinger. Image by the author. 51 42. Space Science Building at Cornell (1967-87), Ballinger. Image by the author. 51 43. Emerson Hall at Cornell (1968), Franzen. Image by the author. 53 44. Bradfield Hall at Cornell (1969), Franzen. Image by the author. 54 45. Bradfield Hall at Cornell (1969), Franzen. Image by the author. 54 46. VRT at Cornell (1974), Franzen. Image by the author. 55 47. VRT at Cornell (1974), Franzen. Image by the author. 55 48. Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell (1974), Franzen. Image by the author. 56 49. Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell (1974), Franzen. Image by the author. 56 50. Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell (1974), Franzen. Image by the author. 56 51. Fairview Heights in 1964, Marcel Breuer. Image from Ithaca’s Neighborhood the Rhine, the Hill and the Goose Pasture.