Greene and Greene facts for kids
.jpg) .jpg) Top: Charles Sumner Greene (1868–1957). Bottom: Henry Mather Greene (1870–1954)
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| Industry | Architecture |
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| Founded | January 1894 in California, United States |
| Founders | Charles Sumner Greene Henry Mather Greene |
| Defunct | 1922 |
| Headquarters |
California
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United States
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Greene and Greene was a famous architecture company started by two brothers, Charles Sumner Greene (1868–1957) and Henry Mather Greene (1870–1954). They were very important American architects in the early 1900s.
They mostly worked in California. Their houses, especially their large "ultimate bungalows," are great examples of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. This style focused on craftsmanship, natural materials, and simple, strong designs.
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Who Were the Greene Brothers?
Charles Sumner and Henry Mather Greene were born in Ohio in 1868 and 1870. They grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and sometimes on their mother's farm in West Virginia.
As teenagers, they went to the Manual Training School at Washington University in St. Louis. Here, they learned how to work with metal and wood. Their father was a doctor who believed in lots of sunlight and fresh air. These ideas later became a key part of the brothers' building designs.
In 1891, both brothers finished a special two-year program at MIT's School of Architecture. They studied old building styles. They planned to work for other architecture and construction companies after graduating.
After MIT, Charles worked for several architecture companies in Boston. Henry also worked for different firms there.
In 1893, their parents asked them to move to Pasadena, California, where their parents had already settled. On their train trip from Boston, the brothers visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. There, they saw some examples of Japanese architecture. This experience really impressed them and influenced their later work.
In 1901, Charles Greene married Alice Gordon White. They went on their honeymoon to Europe and England.
Their Architecture Work
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The Greene and Greene architecture company started in Pasadena in January 1894. They became famous for their "ultimate bungalows." A great example is the Gamble House in Pasadena, built in 1908. Many people think it's one of the best homes ever designed in the United States.
Other important "ultimate bungalows" include the Robert R. Blacker House and the Thorsen House. These houses were completely custom-made. Almost everything inside, like light fixtures, furniture, and even woven fabrics, was designed just for that specific house.
After 1901, the company started to develop its unique style. This style really came together in their big projects from 1907 to 1909. The Greenes created their own special look within the Arts and Crafts movement. They often designed the furniture for their houses too.
From 1905, the Greenes worked closely with Peter Hall, who was the main builder for their big projects. Later, Peter's brother John Hall ran a workshop that made their special decorative items and furniture.
In 1911, the Greenes worked on one of their biggest projects, the Mortimer Fleishhacker House and its estate in Woodside, California.
The "Exploded" Structure
The way Greene and Greene houses are built is very important. Their designs make you feel very safe and secure. This style also highlights the main ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement.
You can often see the joints, pegs, and complex woodwork on the outside of their houses. This shows off the structure of the house instead of hiding it. It's like the house's structure is "exploded" outwards. This idea of showing off the building's frame came from Japanese architecture.
Becoming Famous Again
The Greene brothers didn't take on many business projects. Their careful attention to detail meant they couldn't work on many buildings at once. They often turned down offers to build in downtown Los Angeles.
For many years, their work was not widely recognized. But in 1948, they received awards from the American Institute of Architects. In 1952, they were honored for creating a "new and native architecture." In 1960, they were featured in a book called Five California Architects, which helped bring their work back into the spotlight.
The James House
In 1918, a businessman named Daniel Lewis James asked Charles Greene to design a house for him. It was to be built on a cliff in Carmel Highlands, California, overlooking the ocean. Charles drew sketches for a Mediterranean-style house made of sandstone and granite. He based his ideas on Cornwall's Tintagel Castle in England.
Charles Greene oversaw the building of this granite house, which took five years to finish. The house was later named "Seaward." In 2022, actor Brad Pitt bought the house.
The End of the Firm
The Greene & Greene company officially closed in 1922. Charles had moved his family north to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California in 1916. He built a home and studio there. Henry stayed in Pasadena and continued to work on architecture projects by himself.
Charles Greene designed the Carmel-by-the-Sea World War I Memorial Arch. It looks like a bell tower from a California mission and is made of stone. A bronze bell was added later, hanging from a wooden beam that Charles Greene likely carved.
Charles Greene passed away in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, in 1957, at the age of 89. Henry Greene passed away in Los Angeles, California, in 1954, at the age of 84.
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