Every morning, for almost two decades, from 1977 onwards, I walked the grounds of Cranbrook. I have written about the history and architecture and will now try to convey the beauty of the place. Words fail me; that is why I started with the following quote of “ceremony and celebration, creativity and pleasure”. I felt all of these in my daily walks and I agree with the other writers; Cranbrook is “a masterwork” and “one visual symphony”. Wolf Von Eckardt was a friend from my days in Washington DC; he visited Cranbrook on a number of occasions. He stayed at Saarinen House and shared my enthusiasm for the grounds and architecture. After one of our many walks, Wolf turned to me and said, “Roy, you are the last squire of the twentieth century; a cultural squire!”
“Behind all the designs at Cranbrook was the belief that every activity of daily life is an opportunity for ceremony and celebration, creativity and pleasure.”
Martin Filler ‘The Teacher is Beauty’ House & Garden April 1982
In the words of Paul Goldberg of the New York Times, Cranbrook…”is now considered one of the masterworks of American architecture”. Another critic Wolf Von Eckardt wrote in The New Republic that Cranbrook is “one of the most enchanted and enchanting settings in America” and went on, “the dormitories, faculty houses, museum and workshops are earthy, rustic, direct and a delightful adventure of pathways, enclosed gardens, open malls and meadows and constant surprises. The place abounds inside and out with art and decoration… beautiful wrought ironwork, handsome lamps and benches… specially designed rugs and the wall hangings, furniture, light fixtures, ceramics and woodwork…
All harmonize in one visual symphony.”