Encounters at Greywalls: Lutyens in Scotland

An exploration of Lutyens's design at Greywalls in Scotland through the eyes of two architects, an historian, and an owner.
Paul Whalen, Douglas, Wright, Robin Prater with special guest Ros Weaver, Host: Martin Lutyens
Paul Whalen
Paul Whalen, FAIA, Partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects since 1989, joined the firm in 1981. He has been responsible for the design and management of projects ranging from apartment buildings to country clubs, hotels, institutional buildings, and large-scale planning projects. Mr. Whalen was partner-in-charge of two of the most influential planning projects of our time: the new town of Celebration, Florida, and a plan and guidelines that revived the theater block of New York City's 42nd Street, which won a 1999 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects. His 450,000-square-foot mixed-use retail and residential urban infill project in Arnhem, the Netherlands, won a 2006 Charter Award from the Congress for the New Urbanism. Internationally, Mr. Whalen has planned seaside resorts in Germany, Brazil, the Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Portugal. His current planning projects include a two-million-square-foot high-rise garden suburb in Xiamen, China.
Douglas Wright
Douglas C. Wright Architects
DOUGLAS WRIGHT founded the firm in 2010 and personally directs the architectural work and designs. Throughout his career, he has designed and overseen the administration of a broad range of projects including residential estates and their master plans, vacation homes, apartments, country clubs, developments, and boutique hotels and resorts. Growing up in an historic home introduced Mr. Wright to fine architecture built for a specific setting. Travel and education nurtured a lifelong interest with subsequent bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale and the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to forming Douglas C. Wright Architects, Mr. Wright was a partner in Miller & Wright Architects directing much of that firm’s work, and a principal at Hart Howerton Architects and Planners in New York leading teams on major residential, country club, and boutique hotel projects.
Rosamund Weaver
Special Guest Proprietor of Greywalls
Moderators Martin Lutyens and Robin Prater.
Hosted by Jim Lenahan

[@simoncattle1434]

I've watched most of these Lutyens webinars, and they have all been excellent, but this one really transformed my understanding of the building in question, partly due to the wealth of photographs but also the highly informative commentary. Thank you very much to all concerned. If I may make some observations/questions: (1) in the tinted photo/painting 'cover' image for the webinar there seem to be two free-standing pillars depicted fairly close to the entrance court, which do not appear to be in the current version of the house. Could you enlighten me about this? Which brings me to (2) the stone balls around the green in the entrance court. I know Sir Edwin used these elsewhere, for instance half-sunken at Abbey House, but I wonder if here, as elements on the long drive so important to the effect of the house, is a witticism about golf balls and fairways (and perhaps in that context the two pillars might have evoked golf tees). (3) The garden elevation is pleasantly suggestive of the front elevation of Little Thakeham, in miniature. As Little Thakeham was, I believe, designed a year or so afterwards, I wonder if this part of Grey Walls was the germ for that front elevation. In any case, thank you all once again. This series is truly enriching.

[@Al-ImprovEd2022]

Great convo. Any documentaries on Lutyens?

[@Knoyle1632]

I can't wait for the next webinar !! :-) :-) :-)

[@Knoyle1632]

Edwin Lutyens's architecture is SO subtle !! :-o :-o :-o

[@pcatful]

I don't get his double door design. I think it is insulting to the clients. Their guests should be sure where to go, without a sign or an obsequious servant pointing the way.

[@lutyenstrustamerica3943]

Lutyens was designing for clients that wanted their houses to appear larger and more impressive. His homes are not on the scale of the massive country houses such as Castle Howard. Thus, the entry into the houses was designed as a experience or a journey. Typically, visitors would not enter the home without a member of the family or a servant to guide them. The disorientation of the double doors is quickly replaced by a sense of arrival and welcome in the reception rooms such as the drawing room or dining room

[@pcatful]

That makes sense. @@lutyenstrustamerica3943