« 7. Lincoln Memorial (1922) - Washington, DC; Henry Bacon, FAIA | Main | 9. Chrysler Building (1930) - New York, NY; William Van Alen, FAIA »
photo: Carol M. Highsmith
The Biltmore Estate is the work of renowned 19th-century architect (and third president of the AIA) Richard Morris Hunt, the first American architect educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He designed the house in the Chateau style for George Washington Vanderbilt II, who spent much of his family’s fortune on the project. Frederick Law Olmsted oversaw the landscaping of the estate.
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://blog.aia.org/mt-tb.cgi/92
This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on February 3, 2007 4:28 PM.
The previous post in this blog was 7. Lincoln Memorial (1922) - Washington, DC; Henry Bacon, FAIA.
The next post in this blog is 9. Chrysler Building (1930) - New York, NY; William Van Alen, FAIA.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
Comments (7)
A vote for the Biltmore Estate is a vote for the grounds immediately surrounding the house and more importantly, for the beautiful countryside in which it is located and for the sweeping vistas from the porches, terraces, etc.
Despite the magnificent setting, the house itself is dark, awkwardly proportioned, badly laid out and frankly, ugly.
The estate as a whole is magical despite, not because of, the house.
Posted by Susanne Pierce Dyer | February 7, 2007 5:37 PM
Posted on February 7, 2007 17:37
Something that many do not realize about the Biltmore Estate is the controversy and history that came with it for this region. It was because of this building that so many came to learn of the WNC mountains and build so many other beautiful buildings in the region. The landscaping here is beautiful, but the design of the building itself is extraordinary, considering at the time barely anyone in the area had electricity and yet there were so many pieces to the house the required it. Despite it all but bankrupting the owner/financier, it created and continues to create numerous jobs for the local city directly at the estate and indirectly. We may call it the "plastic castle" but it's an essential piece to Western NC.
Posted by Josh | February 9, 2007 11:27 AM
Posted on February 9, 2007 11:27
I don't mind the Biltmore because I see it for what it is; an exercise in American excess. The tourists like to come and explore the mystery, even if it is a clunky design.
Whatever you do, don't drink the wine though. The gardens are pretty enough sober.
;)
Posted by AK | February 10, 2007 11:00 AM
Posted on February 10, 2007 11:00
Richard Morris Hunt was the AIA's third president, not its second.
Posted by Vernon Reed, FAIA | February 10, 2007 2:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 14:16
Vernon,
How embarrassing. I know better. I am making the change now.
Your posts are wonderful. Keep them coming.
Posted by Andy | February 10, 2007 5:32 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 17:32
I don't spell his name Frank Lloyd Rite. Don't you spell his name Frederick Law Olmstead.
No "a" in his last name, thank you very much.
Nelson Hammer
Landscape Architect
Posted by Nelson Hammer | March 15, 2007 4:49 PM
Posted on March 15, 2007 16:49
Nelson,
Thank you. The error is fixed.
Apologies to Mr. Olmsted.
Posted by Andy | March 16, 2007 8:32 AM
Posted on March 16, 2007 08:32