tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028797990091655063.post3562075840778328893..comments2023-10-26T02:31:21.489-07:00Comments on Mansions of the Gilded Age: Mrs. Drexel Dahlgren Residence Champ Soleil, Newport, RIGary Lawrancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04375743235145440915noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028797990091655063.post-44734106534000601262011-01-29T18:53:00.003-08:002011-01-29T18:53:00.003-08:00When I saw this house a few years ago, on a busine...When I saw this house a few years ago, on a business trip to Newport, I was truly mesmerized (of course, I only saw it fron the street - it is a private residence). Its beauty and beautiful proportions are a testament to the enduring legacy of classic architectural design!Things That Inspirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04405995431610377305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028797990091655063.post-91592191255757322632011-01-27T14:57:18.561-08:002011-01-27T14:57:18.561-08:00Excellent post about Champ Soleil! If anyone is in...Excellent post about Champ Soleil! If anyone is intrested in additional work from <b>Polhemus & Coffin AIA</b>, please come visit the Flickr.com profile I've set up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/polhemusandcoffin" rel="nofollow">Polhemus & Coffin Photos</a><br /><br />Apparently there is growing debate [on the interwebs] as to the true inspiration for the design of <b>Champ Soleil</b>. I'd say some of the most ardent positions taken in the debate suggest that while one could derive similarities to <b>La Lanterne's </b>design, that the similarities essentially end with typical French Manor vernacular, as well as some rudimentary structural elements and not-so-subtle differences.<br /><br />I suppose you have to be a true lover of architecture and especially residential styles with european origin to debate on such a granular level. My hat is certainly off to those who enjoy such engagement.<br /><br />I have no specific knowledge about whether or not the design for <b>Champ Soleil</b> is specifically derived from <b>La Lanterne</b>, unfortunately. However, I can offer that given my in-depth research and study of the firm, <b>Polhemus & Coffin</b>, it is quite obvious their love and passion for <i>French country, cottage, manor and châteaux</i> architectural style no doubt fueled the creative fire predominantly throughout their tenure.<br /><br />I would say their <b>trip to Normandy in 1920</b> to research and document various specimens for the book subsequently published in 1921: <b>Small French Buildings</b>, played an enormous role in the creative direction for the firm.<br /><br />Quite a bit of blood sweat and tears went into producing this book, which is clearly a documentation of what seems to have been the genesis of the firm's signature style. Not to mention, as well, the role the firm played in the popularity of <b>French Revivalist</b> architecture in the Northeast.<br /><br /><br />Tristram Coffin<br />Grandson - Lewis Augustus Coffin, Jr<br />___________________________________<br />Curator <br />Polhemus & Coffin, AIA Archives<br />www.polhemusandcoffin.comTristram Coffinhttp://www.polhemusandcoffin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028797990091655063.post-32503607717754753562011-01-21T14:32:37.184-08:002011-01-21T14:32:37.184-08:00A truly lovely house!A truly lovely house!The Devoted Classicisthttp://tdclassicist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com