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Spirit of invention and ingenuity characterizes naming of the Toshiko Mori-designed pavilion  Mori’s highly inventive design renews Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural philosophies in a 21st-century version of his “organic principles”. The building is conceived as a transparent, glass-walled pavilion that visually connects the landscape with its interior. Proportions and geometries that Wright used in the Martin House are echoed in the pavilion design, such as in the dramatically cantilevered roof. Building systems are designed to be environmentally sensitive. Construction of The Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion is being managed by LPCiminelli, and substantial completion is expected by year’s end. “The MHRC will be eternally grateful for this outstanding opportunity to bestow the Greatbatch name on the garden pavilion designed by Toshiko Mori,” said board president, John N. Walsh, III. “Buildings and the programs nurtured within them are inspired and protected by the lengthened shadow of those names they bear. Wilson and Eleanor Greatbatch inspire and enrich us by their lives, vision, achievements and generosity.” ABOUT THE DONORS Wilson Greatbatch, Buffalo-born and a lifelong Western New York resident, experimented in the late 1950s with transistor technology. His work led to the development of a highly successful cardiac pacemaker that could be implanted in a patient’s chest, unlike the external devices prevalent at the time. Through this donation, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Greatbatch, represented by the East Hill Foundation, wish to pay homage in this way to the spirit of invention, perseverance and ingenuity that led to Greatbatch’s invention of the implantable artificial cardiac pacemaker, a bold, pioneering step in medical science that has literally saved millions of lives worldwide.  Mrs. Eleanor Greatbatch assisted in this discovery by testing transistors that powered the first pacemakers. Later, Greatbatch developed the lithium-iodine (LiI) battery which more than tripled the life of the implantable pacemaker. In more recent years, Wilson Greatbatch has focused his ingenuity on environmental issues, as he continues to be engaged in developing practical alternative energy applications. “The Greatbatch family has deep roots in our Western New York community and has been committed to its betterment and that of its residents, both through our former company, Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd., and our family’s foundation,” stated Warren Greatbatch, president of the East Hill Foundation and eldest son of Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch. “Heritage and cultural tourism has the potential to be a catalyst for significant future economic growth in the Buffalo/Niagara region,” Greatbatch continued. “The Greatbatch family is extremely pleased to be playing a role in connecting our area’s most valuable assets—science, innovation and architecture—and opening the door to economic development programs that can draw tourists from across the country and abroad to Western New York.” ABOUT THE BUILDING Exhibits within the pavilion designed by Mori will feature Wright’s drawings for the Martin House, as well as archival photographs of the house and the Martin family. One such exhibit is a Timeline that lends specific context to the age of invention as it related to Martin and Wright’s lifetimes and pays homage to Wilson and Eleanor Greatbatch. Beginning in 1865, when Martin was born, and ending in 1959, the year that Wright died ? and the year after the “Chardack-Greatbatch” implantable pacemaker came into being ? the Timeline details a list of astonishing achievements in medicine, design and architecture, technology, transportation and world affairs. In addition, it will draw a parallel between Wilson Greatbatch’s invention and Frank Lloyd Wright’s bold vision for an American architecture, as well as between the Greatbatch family’s philanthropy and Darwin Martin’s enlightened patronage of the great architect. “Our goal is to restate the importance of Wright’s place in setting the tone for today’s architecture,” Mori stated. “Current ecological concerns are focusing us once again to reconsider the true meaning of ‘organic architecture’; that is architecture that is integral and intrinsic, that embraces technological advances that will work with natural forces, and that has poetic intentions to lift the human spirit.” ABOUT THE DARWIN D. MARTIN HOUSE COMPLEX The Martin House complex, designed and built from 1903-05, is being restored to its condition as of 1907. Wright scholars consider the Martin House a significant turning point in his Prairie House concept. Wright himself referred to the Martin House as his “opus,” and tacked its site plan above his drafting board for decades. The original complex consisted of the main Martin House, a pergola, conservatory and carriage house, the Barton House and a gardener’s cottage. The Martin House complex is the largest of Wright Prairie Houses in existence; its six buildings total nearly 32,000 sq. feet. Wright designed 394 art glass windows for the complex, more than for any other work in his career. The Martin House Restoration Corporation is a New York not-for-profit corporation founded in 1992. It has a 27-member board of directors and more than 350 active volunteers. The historic Martin House site is open for tours on a year round basis. More information about this National Historic Landmark, including a style guide, can be found at www.darwinmartinhouse.org # # # |
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