The Greensward Plan, a foundational document in urban planning, secured the commission for Central Park through the combined technical drawing skills and aesthetic vision of Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted. This successful entry established a template for public green space, prioritizing the integration of architectural structures into naturalistic, curvilinear landscapes across the burgeoning northeastern United States.
Professional Origins
Born in London in 1824, Vaux received his initial training under Gothic Revival architect Lewis Nockalls Cottingham. In 1850, his watercolor landscapes attracted the interest of Andrew Jackson Downing, a prominent American landscape designer. Vaux relocated to Newburgh, New York, to join Downing, where he worked on projects including the White House grounds and the Smithsonian Institution. Following Downing's death in 1852, Vaux assumed control of the firm, eventually partnering with Frederick Clarke Withers.
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In 1857, Vaux enlisted Frederick Law Olmsted for the competition to design Central Park. Their Greensward Plan utilized before-and-after sketches to demonstrate the proposed transformation of the site. Following this success, they founded Olmsted, Vaux and Co. in 1865. Their portfolio expanded to include Prospect Park, Fort Greene Park, Morningside Park, and the extensive park system in Buffalo, New York. In 1868, they planned the suburb of Riverside, Illinois, for the Riverside Improvement Company.
Architectural Contributions
Vaux attained United States citizenship in 1856 and became an early member of the American Institute of Architects in 1857. That same year, he published Villas and Cottages, a pattern book promoting Victorian Gothic aesthetics. His individual and collaborative architectural work included the Samuel J. Tilden House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. He also completed the residence of Frederic Edwin Church, known as Olana, in 1872.
Later Career and Legacy
In his final years, Vaux collaborated with partners like George K. Radford and Samuel Parsons, focusing on diverse projects including schools for the Children's Aid Society and hospitals such as the Hudson River State Hospital. He returned to his roots in a final project with Olmsted: Downing Park in Newburgh, designed as a tribute to his early mentor. Vaux died in Brooklyn in 1895 and is buried at Montrepose Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1824, London
- Died: 1895, Brooklyn
- Education: Merchant Taylors' School
- Key Partnership: Frederick Law Olmsted
- Notable Publication: Villas and Cottages (1857)
- Primary Field: Landscape Architecture
- Burial Site: Montrepose Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the Greensward Plan?
It was the winning design proposal for New York City's Central Park, submitted by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted in 1857.
Which major museum buildings did Calvert Vaux design?
He designed the original Ruskinian Gothic buildings for both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History.
