Cranbrook Map

Lining the tree flanked avenue of center are the executed (towards bottom) and proposed (towards top) buildings of the Cranbrook Academy of Art

• The entrance gate at bottom center is marked by two sitting boars of Carl Milles
• To the left side is another sculpture/fountain by Milles, a triton blowing upwards a stream of water from a shell
• On the left side of Academy Way is a series of buildings beginning with the original foundation office, library, museum, and various studios, all contained under one roof. These buildings, as all of the Academy group, are formed around various courtyards; some of these hold sculpture
• A single column with a capitol rises behind the administration building to the left
• Above is a group of residences for the Headmaster of Cranbrook School for Boys, and Academy faculty
• The third structure indicated from the bottom left along Academy Way is projected (within four years housing was to be built on this site, but with altered plan)
• The fourth structure encloses a large mall formed by the continuation of the building across the avenue. This proposed building may have been thought of as a dormitory, garage, or studio space.

On the right side of Academy Way, at the entrance to Lone Pine Road, is the extensive complex of the Arts and Crafts Building and the Art Club.

• Within the angular courtyard, standing high on a pillar is Orpheus by Carl Milles
• The succeeding structure to the north is Residences numbers 1 and 2, built for architect Eliel Saarinen and sculptor Carl Milles
• Within the courtyard of Saarinen House is Kiva's Muse by Wäinö Waldemar Aaltonen (1894-1966); within the Milles courtyard, a stone fountain
• Above Milles House, connected by a covered walkway, are the studios of Milles and his students and other proposed studios
• Concluding in a large semi rectangle, the space encompasses proposed museum, library, studio, dining facilities, and tower
• Within the elaborately paved courtyard is Carl Milles' Europa and the Bull.
• The upper most portion of Academy Way widens slightly to encompass the symbol of the Academy, a C surrounding an A
• The road is joined by a smaller street running both left and right at the top and terminates with Carl Milles’ whimsical fountain of Jonah and the Whale, flanked by two urns and pillars
• A large basin of water is indicated at top center, Lake Jonah.

The center axis of the museum, vertical to the viewer and parallel to Academy Way is formed by an elongated reflecting pool flanked by Sea Nymphs and Tritons, also by Milles

• Trees and gardens line either side
• At the foot of the pool are two sculptures, Sunglitter by Milles to the left, and a centaur.

A line of trees separates a network of paths and a cluster of lagoons and pool from the Academy group. At the bottom right is the Cranbrook Pavilion, a large hall used in the 1930s for lectures, exhibit space, and performances during inclement weather. The Greek Theatre above, is shown by a semicircle, pool and enclosed dressing rooms.

A curious departure from actual and proposed buildings within the Cranbrook complex is the whimsical representation of three figures standing on the roof of the Pavilion at the lower right. The figure on the left holds in his arms a house, at his side hangs a colorful painter's palette, slung across the shoulder. The profile of the face surely suggests the architect Eliel Saarinen and is further strengthened by the attributes of his profession, which he carries. To his right stands a figure of a penguin, black booted, with white front. There is a strong likelihood that the figure represents patron George G. Booth (1864-1949). Between them is a naiad, representing sculptor Carl Milles.

Above the Greek Theatre is an extensive, yet loose network of rectangles, stairs and paths. This is a general indication of the hilly terrain using stairs and alternating light and dark adjacent plots

• Within the fields, stands the figure of Engelbrecht, a bronze sculpture by Carl Milles, on a tall column, with sword raised high
• At top, right of center, the Cranbrook Institute of Science, with Observatory at left, is crowned by four golden stars
• The elevation shows the south facade of the first building on the site, a few years before the newer institute was built there

Yet another curious, seemingly abstract motif is a group of figures just below the Institute of Science. Each holds an oblong yellow rectangle – likely a telescope and microscope - in their hands, one pointed upwards towards the stars and the other towards a flower below him. The setting suggests the exploration of science both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial.

In the upper right corner, separated from the larger Cranbrook complex by a lake with two swans, is the plot plan of Kingswood School for Girls. The abstract geometric configuration of the building is consistent with the handling of the pattern treatment within the fields, both to the upper left and right.

The map is framed by a stepped key pattern and rests on a stylized, fluted base, which Saarinen would often employ in his column designs.

The coloration of the specific units within the map is based on actual colors of the buildings, sculpture and grounds

• red roofs for Cranbrook School for Boys
• green or slate roofs for the Academy
• Water is represented by the alteration of blue and white
• trees are green
• Bronze sculpture is generally depicted in shades of green, similar to the original patination
• Without actual basis is the plot plan of Kingswood School for Girls, a red color
• The border of the piece is an ochre and green
• Gray is consistently employed within fields, courtyards, and paths, and within the bottom pattern

John Gerard
Curator of Collections
Cranbrook Art Museum
February 1982

Edited by Leslie Mio
Associate Registrar
Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research
November 2024