On Monday, August 1, our restoration of the historic Albert Kahn-designed pool, lagoon, and Jens Jensen-designed landscape on the grounds of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House opened to the public.
Over the last three years, the Kahn team has been working alongside the expert staff at Ford House and numerous contractors to bring this iconic spot back to the way Ford's experienced it.
Maureen Feighan, a reporter at the Detroit News, wrote, "The pool was in 'rough condition' before work began in 2019, said Stephen White, principal and director of Landscape Architecture & Urban Design for Albert Kahn Associates, who worked on the project along with Ford House staff. And the landscaping, originally designed by the renowned Jens Jensen, who worked hand in hand with Kahn in designing the 1920s estate, was overgrown, blocking the view of Lake St. Clair.
"To bring it back the way it looked in the mid-1930s, White and his team relied on historical photos, architectural drawings, historical records, even family films. They also used 3D models and imaging.
"'At every turn, we were looking at a photograph' to make sure they were on the right track, said White."
And, that's not all. Check out this video segment by Local 4 Click on Detroit.
Photo courtesy of Ford House.
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