Preservation efforts at the Gordon House are ongoing. Our mission is to educate the public on Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural approach and principles of organic architecture by preserving the only house in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Your support enables us to continue this important work.
Preservation Committee
Bruce Brown
Retired Principal Emeritus,
GBD Architects Inc.
GHC Board Past Chair, Preservation Committee
David Pierce
Retired Landscape Architect
GHC Preservation Committee
Timothy Richard
ARCHITECTURE + design
jtrastudio.com
503-449-7326
tjrichard@houseoftyee.com
GHC Preservation Committee Chair
Jeffrey Urban
Architect NCARB, LEED-AP
jeffaurban@hotmail.com
503-781-9716
GHC Preservation Committee Volunteer
2020-24 Capital Improvement Campaign
Project Description
The Gordon House is the only realized building in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is the only Wright building in the Pacific Northwest opened to the public. The Gordon House Conservancy oversees the continued preservation and operation of the house as a public museum and education center since 2002.
The Gordon House was saved from demolition in the winter of 2001, and an ancient White Oak woodland at The Oregon Garden in Silverton was selected as the new location. The House was moved in sections from its original location in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Through extensive coordination with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, the house was sited in the exact solar orientation as specified on Wright’s original architectural plans. Matching the grades of the original house site required a complex system of foundation footing drains and waterproofing to protect the building from the significant groundwater encountered. The same radiant heat system designed by Frank Lloyd Wright but with upgraded piping was installed in the ground floor.
Though great care was given when reconstructing the Gordon House at its new site, there are additional preservation undertakings that must be accomplished to complete the full and expected restoration and preservation project. These preservation tasks include:
Boiler and Radiant Floor Restoration & Preservation
The Gordon House is unique to Wright’s typical design as we have a basement! The small area under our Kitchen, or workspace, houses all of our water operations including those that warm the House through a radiant floor. Frank Lloyd Wright was fond of this in-floor heating system which pipes hot water through the concrete floor slab. Over time, some of the copper pipes in our basement have leaked causing corrosion and other issues for maintenance. Full preservation will require the replacement of several pipes and joints as well as parts for boiler repair.
Wood and Concrete Wall Surface/Texture Conservation
The preservation of the exterior wood will encompass a brush and low impact power cleaning and hand application of a protective sealant specifically formulated for the Pacific Northwest and including a pest control component. Some pest-damaged boards will be replaced and repairs in numerous areas will be required. Both interior and exterior wall surfaces will be painted to protect and restore Wright’s vision. Due to moisture damage and leaks, the fireplace is in dire need of preservation. The chimney cap will be resealed with elastomeric coating to prevent any further damage to this staple of Wright design.
Landscaping Restoration and Entry Surfacing
Conrad and Evelyn Gordon enjoyed natural site surroundings as advised by Frank Lloyd Wright. A professional landscape design is being carefully prepared including plant materials, hardscape, and specific use areas including a Wright favorite terrace space east of the building.
Therefore, the Conservancy plans to continue developing the natural gardens and walking paths around the house reminiscent of those designed at the original site. To provide improved public access for visitors, the Conservancy will also upgrade the entry walkway on the property. These access improvements will also help to protect the landscaping, mitigate dust and mud from marring concrete floors, terraces, and stairs, and refine handicapped and elderly accessibility while maintaining the original farm site entry appearance. Wright’s attitude toward the Usonian residential ceremony of entry will guide the new site’s landscape interpretation for fully enhanced understanding by the public.
Goals and Measurable Objectives
The goal of this project is to return The Gordon House to its original appearance and preserve this architectural treasure. The Gordon House is the only house in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and remains the only Wright building in the Pacific Northwest opened to the public. Long term preservation will allow for continued and increased House visitor numbers and its use as a meeting space and location for special private and public events and activities; not to mention the ongoing educational tours, classes, activities, and opportunities for youth and adults that the property provides. Daily visitation and use enumeration will demonstrate these improvements. Overall, preservation provides more opportunity for the public to learn from and enjoy this iconic example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs.
Sustainability
The Conservancy has established an endowment fund to support the long-term care and maintenance of the Gordon House once these remaining preservation and restoration efforts have been completed.
2012-16 Capital Improvement Campaign
Thank you Preservation Partners!
ART FIRST COLORS for Architecture
Bristolite Daylighting Systems
Creative Carpentry
Duro Last Roof Products & Systems
Flying Shuttle Handweaving
Fritz Family Foundation
GBD Architects
High Tech Turf & Trees
Kinsman Foundation
KPFF Consulting Engineers
Meyer Memorial Trust
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
Pacific Crest Construction
Practical Plumbing
Pride Building Services
PROSOCO
Siegner & Company
Silverton Sand & Gravel
Swigert Foundation
Tim Richard
TraneOregon
University of Oregon Preservation Field School
Balcony Structural Engineering/Corrective Reconstruction
Frank Lloyd Wright was known for dramatic cantilever structures in his designs. Using traditional engineering concepts, he would provide horizontal support for some of his spaces anchored deep within the building structure. The visual effect was a building full of disappearing corners, floating walls, and construction elements that appeared to “hang in space” without visible support. The west wing of the Gordon House is one of the balconies with this unique design characteristic. Original 1963 construction anomalies compromised Wright’s structural design plan which will continue to deform and deteriorate unless preemptive preservation is undertaken. To determine what exact restoration measures are necessary the Conservancy will work with professional architects and structural engineers familiar with Wright’s work and construction concepts. Until such time as discovery and restorative engineering can be completed, temporary measures have been taken to secure the building. The balcony is temporarily supported with vertical external wood posts. Though care was taken to minimize the visual impact of this temporary solution, it does alter Wright’s original unique design of the Gordon House and requires permanent and immediate rectification.
Red Concrete Floor Surface Preservation
A unique feature of Wright’s organic architecture was to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. This was achieved in the design of the concrete flooring, particularly in the Gordon House. Guests enter the house on gently rising red concrete steps; which expand through the main living area or “great room” and on to all of the first floor rooms. Outside terraces on either side of the great room have the same signature Wright concrete color and pattern providing the sense of integration between the inside and outside living areas. The interior floors also contain the radiant heat system that efficiently and comfortably serves the house.
Due to the traffic of more than 100,000 visitors eager to tour this historic work of art, the floors have become worn, scratched, and stained. Exposure to extreme weather has subjected the outdoor terraces and stairs to discoloration and uncommon wear, no longer bringing unification to Wright’s design. Using new protective materials conducive for high foot traffic and more resistant to weather conditions, a simultaneous effort to restore the indoor and outdoor surfaces will be undertaken.
Wood and Concrete Wall Surface/Texture Conservation
A trademark design feature of Frank Lloyd Wright is the use of the horizontal line – the line of rest and repose — the line representing domesticity. The Western red cedar wood boards and concrete block walls of the Gordon House are excellent examples of this line of tranquility. Just as with the concrete floors and terraces, the color and texture of the walls are a significant element of design that provides symmetry between the outside and inside.
The wood and concrete walls of the Gordon House exhibit horizontal ribbons with a soft textured finish on the masonry. Like the flooring, these distinctive design characteristics have discolored and worn thin from exposure to weather, outside temperature, and bird and insect pests. Earlier roof leaks and moisture penetration to the interior surfaces have altered the impact of Wright’s intended design. The surface texture, color, and integrity must be restored.
The preservation of the exterior wood will encompass a brush and low impact power cleaning and hand application of a protective sealant specifically formulated for the Pacific Northwest (Weathertek®) and including a pest control component. Approximately thirty (30) pest-damaged boards will be replaced and repairs in numerous areas will be required. Professional analysis of the concrete surface color will identify and restore Wright’s original masonry color specifications enjoyed by the Gordons. Exterior concrete walls will be sealed to prevent leaching, and 100% acrylic paint and filler will be applied to both interior and exterior wall surfaces to protect and restore the soft gentle texture of Wright’s vision.
Update, March 2022: The Great Room Beams Repair Report Summary
Overview of the Great Room Beams: The Great Room Beams consist of two Douglas Fir 2″ x 14″ beams wrapped in clear grain Douglas Fir trim. They are spaced at 7′ -0″ on-center spanning 16′ -0″ facing east/west across the Room. The dining room beam is 6′ longer due to the alcove extension of the dining space.
The Issue: The beam over the dining room alcove of the Great Room in the Gordon House was identified as a priority in preservation efforts for the 2022 year. Due to the beam’s deflection (approximately 1 inch), the roof above the beam retained water during weather events. This resulted in significant puddling during weather episodes and raised concerns about additional impacts of weight from the pond effect, not to mention snow and ice loading, and the structural integrity of the roof.
The Solution: A team of experts came together to tackle the project in the first week of March 2022. Floor protection and dust control were installed in the entry area and the Great Room. Then, the Douglas Fir trim was removed, exposing the double 2″ x 14″ beam. The beam was then raised up using two hydraulic jacks to its original position. Once the beam was in place, steel flitch plates measuring 3/8″ x 8″ x 20″ -0″ were installed on both sides of the beam. The beam was then lowered back down so that new Douglas Fir trim could be installed. This trim was fabricated to conceal the plates and maintain the same appearance as before. Additionally, an adjacent cedar plywood ceiling panel was also replaced due to previous repairs and discoloration of the finish. The repair ensured that the overall look of the beam and surrounding panels were uniform and in keeping with the original design. Special thanks to the Oregon Cultural Trust whose funding made this effort possible.
Special recognition to the Team who worked on this project!
Project Team:
Architectural Design – Tim Richard, J Timothy Richard, Architect, LLC
Structural Design – Erik Kabusreiter P.E., KPFF Structural Engineers
Design Support – Gordon Preservation Committee: Bruce Brown, Jeff Urban, David Pierce
Construction Team:
Pacific Crest Construction
Kitchen Workspace Restoration & Preservation
As with so many of Wright’s designs, the kitchen, or “workspace” as he preferred to call it, is centrally located in the house and compact and efficient in design. Some experts have indicated that the Gordon House kitchen is the best design he ever created. It is also a wonderful example of the 1960 vintage modernity filled with Wright innovations for ease of use.
To provide a sense of greater space, the ceiling is two stories tall featuring a skylight and floodlight lamps, creating height with a tower above the food preparation area. The tower also provides a source of natural light and exhaust for the elimination of cooking odors and heat. The tower, workspace and original basement below brilliantly maintain a passive energy-sustaining core that is very important to the building’s integrity.
Due to moisture damage and leaks, the tower is in dire need of preservation. The four aluminum light fixtures are heavily pitted and the wood ceiling and concrete walls are stained and damaged. Full preservation will require the replacement of several large wooden ceiling panels, new insulation, and roof venting. The countertops and refrigerator are also in need of restorative repair and conservation. The Formica® countertops need to be replaced to match those originally installed but lost during the house move. The Revco Gourmet® refrigerator is of special note; this design is one of the first that allowed for custom made panels which matched the Western red cedar interior wood cabinetry. This model was also the first refrigerator designed with the modern and efficient freezer on the bottom. In order to restore this unit, the compressor and electrical wiring must be replaced and the original interior surfaces restored. Wright instructed his carpenters to be as attentive to the utility areas as the living room with fine workmanship and finish. The Western red cedar cabinetry must be fully conserved and protected.
Project Budget and Timeline
The cost to complete the full preservation and restoration of the Gordon House is estimated at $296,000. The Conservancy has raised more than $175,000 for this project and has identified select foundations and agencies with an interest in historic preservation and interpretation to submit funding requests. Those foundations include, but are not limited to, The Kinsman Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Ritz Family Foundation, Swigert Foundation, and additional resources as necessary.