Richardson-Olmsted Complex

Sunday morning I toured the grounds of the Richardson-Olmsted Complex.

I walked the storied perimeter of the former Buffalo State Asylum and the surrounding Olmsted landscaping. This is the largest and greatest of H. H. Richardson’s creations influenced the much emulated Richardsonian Romanesque style. The grounds as a whole are beautiful but some buildings are crumbling to the ground.

 It was interesting to see this building from the front of the Administration building as a large dark presence but when viewed from the back it is very inviting to all. The backside appears to have outstretched arms welcoming the patients and guests. I really liked the plantation style building structure of the complex. It was incense a self sustainable city in itself. They had to produce their own food, electric, and clothing. There was a  large farm  that the patients were able to work and harvest food from. I also liked the way the windows were angled to follow staircases. The building also contains a huge number of windows to allow for as much natural light as possible. This complex is far more vast than I could possibly comprehend I believe. It is easy to grasp the general lay of the land but I would love to have seen this complex in its glory and witness the fully functioning compound that it was.