DOCUMENTATION OF HISTORIC AND EXISTING CONDITIONS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSERVATION PLANNING: VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS MIAMI, FLORIDA prepared by: Gregory Saldana SALDANA DESIGN & PRESERVATION INC. Rocco Ceo CEO & NARDI INC. Frank Matero John Hinchman UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION RESEARCH CENTER May 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................................................ VIII 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................1 The Villa .................................................................................................................................2 The Gardens ..........................................................................................................................3 The Rose Garden...................................................................................................................3 The Marine Garden ................................................................................................................4 2.0 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA ...................................................................................................................5 2.1 NAMES, NUMBERS, AND LOCATION DATA......................................................................5 2.2 RELATED STUDIES..............................................................................................................5 2.3 CULTURAL RESOURCE DATA ...........................................................................................5 2.4 DATA STORAGE ..................................................................................................................5 3.0 THE VILLA ..........................................................................................................................................6 3.1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT ...................................................................6 3.1.1 THE DEERING FAMILY.........................................................................................................6 3.1.2 THE JAMES DEERING ESTATE, A HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION.......................................7 The Villa .................................................................................................................................7 The Gardens ..........................................................................................................................8 The Village .............................................................................................................................9 3.1.3 THE VILLA IN A SUB-TROPICAL SETTING .........................................................................9 3.1.4 HISTORICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VILLA AND ITS CONSTRUCTION ......................11 Building Materials.................................................................................................................11 Structural Design..................................................................................................................12 Building Materials According to Original Architectural Drawings..........................................12 3.1.5 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLA, GARDENS AND VILLAGE .............................13 Existing Conditions...............................................................................................................14 Existing Building Materials ...................................................................................................15 3.1.6 CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT SUMMARY....................................................................15 Glass Skylight of the Courtyard and Glass Enclosure of the Loggias ..................................15 Climate Control System .......................................................................................................16 Wood Roof Structure............................................................................................................16 East Façade Windows and Door..........................................................................................16 East Façade Parapet Condition ...........................................................................................16 Storm Shield System............................................................................................................16 East Loggia Columns ...........................................................................................................17 Steel Structure Over Pool ....................................................................................................17 Ceiling Mural of Pool Area ...................................................................................................17 3.2 CHRONOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND USE................................................................18 Table of Contents i 3.2.1 PRECONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1913 TO 1914 ............................................................18 3.2.2 CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1914...................................................................................20 May 5 to August 29 ..............................................................................................................20 September 12 / November 29 ..............................................................................................21 3.2.3 CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1915...................................................................................22 January 24 / May 28.............................................................................................................22 June 15 / November 23........................................................................................................23 3.2.4 CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1916...................................................................................24 January 15 / June 31............................................................................................................24 July 17 / December 28..........................................................................................................26 3.2.5 CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1917...................................................................................26 3.2.6 CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1917-1922 .........................................................................26 March 1917 / March 20 ........................................................................................................26 March 1920 / March 1921 ....................................................................................................27 3.2.7 THE POST- CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1925-1992 .....................................................28 1925 .....................................................................................................................................28 1926 .....................................................................................................................................28 1930 to 1940 ........................................................................................................................28 1940 to 1950 ........................................................................................................................28 1950 .....................................................................................................................................29 1952 .....................................................................................................................................29 1965 .....................................................................................................................................29 1978 .....................................................................................................................................29 1980 .....................................................................................................................................29 1981 .....................................................................................................................................30 1982 / 1985 ..........................................................................................................................30 1986 .....................................................................................................................................30 1992 to 2004 ........................................................................................................................31 1995 to 2000 ........................................................................................................................31 2003 .....................................................................................................................................32 2004 .....................................................................................................................................32 3.2.8 SUMMARY OF ALTERATIONS TO THE VILLA 1913-2003 ................................................33 Preconstruction, Construction, and Post Construction Periods............................................33 Preconstruction Period of 1913 - 1914.................................................................................34 View of the North Elevation..................................................................................................34 View of the East Elevation ...................................................................................................35