The ghosted architect
“No Barbie should be living in the shadows” said President Barbie in the movie released a year back i.e., 2023 but this statement is unseen in the life of one of the finest architects, alienated by her own country. Marion Mahony Griffin lived for 90 years working for the community though her work was acknowledged years after her eternal rest. What path would the world have chosen to neglect her contribution and the acknowledgements she deserved? Her work was conceded through the venture she had established with her husband, Walter Burley Griffin. The duo, Mahony and Griffin, whose collaboration led to the definition of the capital of Australia, Canberra. Their design for the city was a submission for an architectural competition along with multiple entries from Europe, Asia etc. but only their submission was considered because of the outstanding planning and renders they had generated. The city rests on the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin axis, named after Marion’s husband Walter Burley Griffin alongside the lush green landscape. Love does wonders though an identity loss is what must not be appreciated!
Marion Mahony Griffin worked in different countries, especially Australia, the United States, and India though Chicago had a melancholic linkage in building her profile of stature and enriching her work. Marion was 6 months old when her family escaped the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and settled on the outskirts of Chicago i.e., Winnetka, Illinois. With the aftermath of the fire in the background, she saw the place revitalise. In particular, the incident empowered the values of nature in her conscience and further transcribed her into the field of Architecture.
In the year 1894, Marion became the second female to graduate from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and the first-ever licensed architect in Illinois. The irony is that at the same location i.e., Illinois where she was awarded the licence, Walter graduated from the University of Illinois!
Venture of welfare
The renowned architect, Walter Burley Griffin became the lifelong collaborator of Marion Mahony Griffin through their marriage in 1911. Their collaboration, Mahony and Griffin, was accomplished through a distinct meeting while working under Frank Lloyd Wright’s office. Marion grew up with the virtue of preserving and cherishing the responsibilities of human beings towards Mother Earth, enriched with similar interests and values led to the Mahony and Griffin’s 26-year-old partnership. This partnership was appreciated through immense contributions by both of them.
Their work followed a particular style of architecture which took birth from Prairie School that began in the late 19th and early 20th century initially through Chicago and widely enhanced towards Australia and North central Europe. This style developed through the different yet intricate European and Victorian architectural styles. Contrasting features include the fine horizontal lines, serene landscape, hipped roofs, art deco on walls, immense concentration on craftsmanship and abstract ornamentation. The details were used throughout and the amalgamation of them did not create a chaotic view instead a soothing experience justifying the user’s needs. Indeed, the interlinking of sites in consideration of nature never disappeared and through Mahony and Griffin, the Prairie style became a medium to address the synergy within. They worked on numerous projects especially in Australia such as residences, theatres, redevelopment projects, interiors and counting up to 200 projects. These following creations were a part of eminent designs created in Sydney such as Castlecrag, Middle Cove, and Castle Cove.
Home within people
Castlecrag’s design was built to reflect the principal values of Mahony and Griffin and to justify their role as architects in society. It is a blend of the symphony between environment and architecture, a surreal yet serene view was addressed through the design by Mahony and Griffin. The design of the Castlecrag was to intensify the spaces with the essence of daylight, culture, use of local materials and consideration of nature with respect to the site. The key features include the preservation of the existing bushes on the site in order to maintain the landscape without the installation of fences or boundaries leading to breaking the conventional idea of red Australian houses circumscribed around the landscape. The Castlecrag aimed the design in consideration of the future residents and reminiscent of the historical value it will have with time. The inclusion of interlocked spaces along with the integration of open spaces at longer extent were the prime features in the identification of Castlecrag. Initially home to Mahony and Griffin, later forwarded to other residences, it narrates the tales of joy, love, and care.
In 1935, Griffin shifted to India for the design of a Library at the University of Lucknow and, mesmerised by the architectural style, stayed there for a longer time to understand the country’s architectural style. Mahony stayed with him until his death due to a sudden illness in the year 1937. To live along with the memories of their partnership, Mahony and Griffin, she shifted back to Castlecrag, Sydney. It housed around 15 residences and as part of a continuation of the integrity of Castlecrag, Mahony and Griffin built a structure of covenants that prevented unfair developments and protected the environment. Though they did not have their own children, both fostered Castlecrag as their own child, Marion and Griffin built spaces that promoted a sense of community- kindergartens, libraries, community centres etc. She even indulged in interactive and fun activities with the community’s children and would invite them to tea parties to stick mirrors with thread on tree branches, narrating the scenario to be the acceptance by fairies of their tea party invitation.
Mahony and Griffin were the disciples of goodwill who fostered and nurtured the society with their love, care and holistically involved nature with the community. All their projects echo values that are carried through the design of all these spaces and forwarded through the generations who habituated in them.
