Edgewater - The Culmination of Hudson River Vision

Last Wednesday, I went to the finale lecture in the summer series at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America - what a fantastic event!

The architect who worked on Edgewater, Michael Dwyer, spoke of how he approached tasteful construction while preserving the intent of the original. Edgewater is Federal-style house with a Doric portico on Hudson River. The product contains striking Classical arrangments that are distinctly American.

My takeaway from the evening came during the Q&A. Dwyer was asked something about his preference to the Classical style instead of Modern or Contemporary influences when the Classical reverts to ideas that have already ripened. He answered that both Classical and Modern use their own unique grammar to innovate. In the years wherein my taste towards to Classical, I had frequently been challenged on similar terms and I found Dwyer's defense illuminating and helpful.

Many people have trouble seeing the challenge of historic restoration or movements that hark back to these clearly articulated styles as an art of copy, but it is not that simple. Much of what Dwyer accomplished was possible because he used the Classical models as a template, but put together elements that were not used together before in the same way.

Dwyer's addition of a guest house and pool complex commanded an expert understanding of how Classical could bring new ideas and creativity to the building process while preserving the history and intent of the original construction.