martinhouseclr

203 5 // TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project. Reconstruction: Reconstruction is defined as the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location. Treatment Issues It is essential to understand the unique contextual realities of the existing property and the historic designed landscape before defining a specific approach to landscape treatment. Currently, numerous issues relating to the historic record, management limitations or other factors play a role in determining appropriate treatment. These include: Current Use: The property is currently managed as a house museum and interpretive center and is no longer managed by a prominent private family with relatively vast economic resources. The current use of the property primarily serves the needs of visitors and guests looking to understand and experience the historic importance of the property’s designers and owner. [Fig. 187, 188] This use requires the addition of non-historic features which can be visually incompatible with the historic landscape. Missing Materials: The designed landscape’s integrity of materials has been severely compromised over the last 80 years. Following the evaluated Period of Significance (1903-1929), the property suffered from several modifications resulting in a near-complete loss of historic plant material. [Fig. 189] The landscape currently exists in a more or less tabula rasa condition, with only a single mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica atropurpurea group) tree remaining from the historic period. Variation from Design Plans: The historic record has allowed the researchers to document a clear divergence in portions of installed landscape from the landscape as designed within the Frank Lloyd Wright / Walter Burley Griffin plans. In several cases the initial plantings installed on the property deviated from the plans, or were subsequently removed and replaced within one or two seasons by an alternate selection of plant materials, before resolving toward a general continuity of spatial form. Historic Owner Influence: The Martin family had substantial impact on the historic designed landscape as it existed during the Period of Significance, including both influence on the installed design and through subsequent manipulation. Once installed, the overall spatial relationships remained intact yet variation in plant material (particularly perennials) is apparent. Fig. 188, bottom The Greatbatch Pavillion as seen from the Martin House main entry walk, 2014. Fig. 187, top Land adjacent to the historic property has been acquired and altered to support the contemporary use as a house museum, 2014.