United States of America -- California -- Santa Barbara County -- Santa Barbara
Scope and Contents:
This file contains 9 digital images and 1 folder.
General:
The design of this 1.22 acre property echoes the landscape of the low mountain range it is situated on top of. In 1940, the original owner commissioned Lutah Maria Riggs, Santa Barbara's first female licensed architect and one of the first women in California to be named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, to build the house, garage, and landscape on the property. The current owner, an architectural historian, purchased the property in 1994 after the original owner's death and has made minimal changes to the gardens in order to preserve and showcase the work of Lutah Maria Riggs.
This property exemplifies Riggs' design sensibilities and the influence of European landscapes that often include sculpted hills, valleys and artfully framed views. She was known for her ability to integrate the functionality of a house with that of its landscape. In the design of this property, Riggs intentionally fitted the landscape to match the surrounding mountainous aesthetic. Naturalistic stone pathways connect the main entrance to the lower gardens, allowing easy access to the entire site. Native plant material, California oaks, and the natural woodlands provide the structure to this organically shaped garden. The intentionally irregular design of rock formations such as rock gardens, dry walls, and path boulders to emphasize the view of the mountains. The organic nature of the site is also emphasized through the use of unpainted fencing and gates, a small stone patio, a small water feature, and large boulders placed along the pathways to provide potential seating for visitors. A water garden, succulent plants, lavender, salvia, and honeysuckle can be found throughout the property.
Persons associated with the garden include: Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Davis (former owners, 1940-1994); Lutah Maria Riggs (landscape architect, 1940).
Related Materials:
Related materials include USCB, Art Design and Architecture Museum Archives, Santa Barbara, CA; Documentary: Lutah, A Passion for Architecture: A Life in Design, Lutah Maria Riggs Society; Exhibition: Under the Umbrella, Lutah Maria Riggs and her Santa Barbara Style, Santa Barbara Historical Museum; A Summary of articles published between 2014-2016, Lutah Maria Riggs Society Press.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Topic:
Gardens -- California -- Santa Barbara Search this
Charles W. Davis Property (Santa Barbara, California) Search this
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
