Add To Collection
Add to Collection
The Restoration of Herbert Bayer's Marble Garden (1955)
The Restoration of Herbert Bayer's Marble Garden (1955)
Aspen, CO, United States
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Other Projects by Design Workshop
The Restoration of Herbert Bayer's Marble Garden (1955)
Aspen, CO, United States
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
Mid-century modern landscapes are in danger of deterioration and disinvestment. Marble Garden was showing significant disrepair and was at risk of structural failure and further degradation. A detailed site analysis revealed that the concrete aggregate was cracked and crumbling from poor drainage and Aspen’s harsh freeze-thaw cycles. Irrigation overspray and growing biomatter had discolored the marble. Tall pieces leaned from poor structural support.
To steward this sculpture into its next era, it was critical for the landscape architect to have a profound understanding of Herbert Bayer’s vision for the Aspen Institute Campus. The Campus is an exemplification of the Bauhaus principles in both architecture and landscape, including pioneering works of the Land Art Movement. They gathered archival materials of Bayer’s conceptual documentation to understand his intent and its historical significance.
Herbert Bayer saw the possibility of combining pure and planer forms made of stone, water, grass, light, and shadow into a new art form in the landscape. He selected twenty-one local marble stones. These pure geometric shapes were rejected due to their rough edges and imperfections. Then, he arranged them on a 36 x 36-foot concrete base with a 12 x 12-foot square reflecting pool and water jet. His creative process involved the on-site arrangement of the marble pieces, which was never formally documented.
With a deep understanding of the sculpture’s past, the landscape architect curated a restoration process grounded in analysis and material explorations, convening a diverse team of experts to restore a cultural landscape in peril through historic resources, confirmation of artist intent, forensic deconstruction, material reuse, and critical design thinking.
The team expanded to include a general contractor, engineer and stone preservationist to understand the construction methods, structure, and materials. Together, they executed a careful and inquisitive deconstruction of the sculpture. Labeled marble pieces were meticulously extracted from the base. Stone preservationists carefully reconciled the weathering without deteriorating the blocks’ unique imperfections.
The discoveries regarding materiality, source, methods, artistry and construction techniques enabled the team to honor the sculpture’s most character-defining qualities. A video of Bayer explaining his sculpture established the period of significance. Stones were returned to their original locations. Increased footings, stainless steel dowels, and thickened slabs resolved the stone’s leaning issues. Masons successfully matched the original aggregate from a local source. The landscape architect corrected grading and implemented a subsurface drip system to solve drainage issues.
A small-scale project of cultural value, the restoration of Marble Garden exemplifies historic significance and national impact. With the Aspen Institute as stewards of the modernist campus this sculpture was saved from a cycle of temporary repairs and damaged integrity. The landscape architect’s intervention restored a modernist sculpture so that it could be safe for a diverse set of visitors to enjoy again: from local school children to international leaders who attend annual Aspen Institute events.
To steward this sculpture into its next era, it was critical for the landscape architect to have a profound understanding of Herbert Bayer’s vision for the Aspen Institute Campus. The Campus is an exemplification of the Bauhaus principles in both architecture and landscape, including pioneering works of the Land Art Movement. They gathered archival materials of Bayer’s conceptual documentation to understand his intent and its historical significance.
Herbert Bayer saw the possibility of combining pure and planer forms made of stone, water, grass, light, and shadow into a new art form in the landscape. He selected twenty-one local marble stones. These pure geometric shapes were rejected due to their rough edges and imperfections. Then, he arranged them on a 36 x 36-foot concrete base with a 12 x 12-foot square reflecting pool and water jet. His creative process involved the on-site arrangement of the marble pieces, which was never formally documented.
With a deep understanding of the sculpture’s past, the landscape architect curated a restoration process grounded in analysis and material explorations, convening a diverse team of experts to restore a cultural landscape in peril through historic resources, confirmation of artist intent, forensic deconstruction, material reuse, and critical design thinking.
The team expanded to include a general contractor, engineer and stone preservationist to understand the construction methods, structure, and materials. Together, they executed a careful and inquisitive deconstruction of the sculpture. Labeled marble pieces were meticulously extracted from the base. Stone preservationists carefully reconciled the weathering without deteriorating the blocks’ unique imperfections.
The discoveries regarding materiality, source, methods, artistry and construction techniques enabled the team to honor the sculpture’s most character-defining qualities. A video of Bayer explaining his sculpture established the period of significance. Stones were returned to their original locations. Increased footings, stainless steel dowels, and thickened slabs resolved the stone’s leaning issues. Masons successfully matched the original aggregate from a local source. The landscape architect corrected grading and implemented a subsurface drip system to solve drainage issues.
A small-scale project of cultural value, the restoration of Marble Garden exemplifies historic significance and national impact. With the Aspen Institute as stewards of the modernist campus this sculpture was saved from a cycle of temporary repairs and damaged integrity. The landscape architect’s intervention restored a modernist sculpture so that it could be safe for a diverse set of visitors to enjoy again: from local school children to international leaders who attend annual Aspen Institute events.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.