Download PDF - University of Rochester Libraries

ROCH E STER ALUMNI REVIEW 101
states. Invariably it has a monumental
quality and is unsurpassed in its restraint.
And yet into this monumental quality has
been infused a certain charm-an elusive
element to secure, when it must be combined
with such stately character, but undeniably
attained."
Major also quotes from Fiske Kimball :
"American domestic architectu re made its
independent contribution to universal development.
Whatever may be thought,
there can be no dou'bt that it endowed
America with an architectural tradition unsurpassed
in the qualities of monumentality
and dignity."
Admiring much the architecture of the
University of Virginia with its masterpiece,
the Library, I was led to look into Thomas
J efferson's connection with our architectural
development. While I had a very
high opinion of his ability, I little realized
his great influence on architecture in our
country. Quoting again from Howard
Major: "Furthermore Inigo Jones was
the first great English architect, and likewise
Thomas Jefferson was the first great
American architect. History repeats itself,
for as after Jones other individuals became
determining factors in English architecture,
so after the initiative taken by J efferson,
others played similar roles here."
We believe, therefore, that we have
adopted a style particularly suited to our
University, located as it is on the Genesee,
and in the valley which has so many beautiful
examples of the period in question.
As the plan developed, the University,
anxious to have the best possible advice, on
our suggestion invited Charles A. Platt to
act as consultant. Mr. Platt is one of the
leading architects of rhe United States and
considered by many as the dean of American
architects. He is particularly interested in
the development of the particular type of
architecture which has been chosen for the
new buildings at Oak Hill. He has also
done much splendid work for a number of
our leading educational institutions, particularly
the new and beautiful development
at the University of Illinois, also
buildings for Phillips-Andover Academy.
Among his more recent accomplishments is
the Freer Art Gallery in Washington, and
he is now at work on the design for the
National Gallery in Washington. He is
also on the advisory committee for the new
Johns Hopkins group.
Mr. Platt has shown a very keen and
sympathetic interest in the O�k Hill de-
velopment from the time when serious
study was given to the placement of buildings
on the new site. He has been always
conscious of our efforts to plan not only for
the present, but for an orderly future development
as well. His services have been
invaluable, and his criticisms so constructive,
that I believe our University will have
a group of buildings of great distinctionone
in which every alumnus and friend can,
and will, take a real pride.
Associated with us also is the leading
landscape architect of the country, Frederick
Law Olmsted, a member of the Commission
on the Plan of the City of Washington,
and identified with work of great
importance throughout the country, including
the development of Dennison University,
Johns Hopkins and many others.
We also found it necessary to employ
men of great ability to assist us in carrying
out this work, and were fortunate in securing
the services of Phillip Merz, recognized
as one of the greatest draftsmen in the
country. He is a protege of the late Stanford
White and, as a draftsman, worked
upon the drawings for many of the greatest
buildings in the country, including the
Municipal Building, the U. S. Post Office
and other buildings in New York City,
the Springfield Municipal group, the Weidner
Library at Harvard and others.
My partner and I and Leonard \Vaasdorp,
our associate, in the firm of Gordon
and Kaelber, have visited many universities
and given careful study, first to general
arrangement, and then to each particular
building, until we believe that the new
College for Men will embody the most upto-date
ideas in design and equipment that
years of research can give.
+ +
Noteworthy Record of Our
University Architects
In connection with the above a brief resume
of the record of ou r University
architects, Gordon & Kaelber, should be o " f
general alumni interest as indicating the
background of experience which they are
able to apply to the present day project. It
might be added that they have been working
and dreaming over the University development
at Oak Hill for the past three
years, hoping to make the result a lasting
and outstanding monument to their ability.
Edwin S. Gordon graduated from
Mechanics Institute in 1891 in the co u r e