Calvert Vaux

Design Philosophy

Vaux’s design philosophy was centered around the relationship between the structure to its setting. An Englishman, he arrived in America with the idea of creating an architectural style that was uniquely American, and for this he chose primarily the Gothic Revival style, while also incorporating elements from both Italian and French styles to suit the needs and preferences of the his clients. He “exhibited a hyper-awareness of the qualities of light, climate and landscape”, and ensured that the designs of his buildings did not impede anyone from enjoying views of the surrounding nature, often insisting the kitchen be located in the basement of the house rather than attached to the side so as to not block any views. He favored what he called “well-balanced irregularity”, and imposed this concept through his creation of polychromatic exteriors for his buildings, achieving this by using stones of different color and texture, which is seen on the Hoyt House. 

His focus on both architecture and landscape design allowed him to create buildings that reflected and incorporated elements of their surroundings, and this concept lent itself to his projects focused on public good. He designed children’s homes and tenements that featured ample space and a reportedly “unusually high” number of windows, as well as the grounds of an asylum where therapy for the mentally ill was centered around exposure to the calming effect of nature. The importance of access and enjoyment of nature was intrinsic to his work and this is reflected in his work designing New York City’s Central and Prospect Parks, as well as other parks across New York and beyond. 

Vaux’s contributions to the world of architecture and landscape design were many. One of the first members of the American Institute of Architects, he set prices for the payment of architectural fees, and was the first to use the term “landscape architecture”. For most of his projects, he preferred to partner with other architects, who, because of him, gained recognition and influence, many going on to lead successful careers.

Some of Vaux’s most prominent works include Central Park (top image), Prospect Park, and the original Victorian Gothic structure of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (middle image), as well as the first structure of the American Museum of Natural History (bottom image) and the grounds of Olana. His humanitarian works include many buildings constructed for the Children's Aid Society, as well as the landscape design of the Hudson River State Hospital. For a full list, click the link below.