The Getty Villa

By Heather Orman

       Modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, an ancient Roman house that was originally located in Herculaneum, Italy, The Getty Villa will leave you in amazement of beautiful architecture, landscape, and art.  Driving up the coast of Malibu, The Getty Villa is located right off of Pacific Coast Highway, giving the museum a gorgeous background to its already apparent beauty.  Originally built in 1970 by architects Langdon and Wilson, it was then renovated from 1997-2006 by   Rodolfo Machado and Jorge Silvetti.  These new architects brought to life a more modern feel that still coincided with the Getty historic features.  Because the Villa dei Papiri was covered by Mount Vesuvius, they had to use models from other Roman country homes from that same time period.  Unfortunately I never saw the museum before its renovation, but I will say, the renovation is absolutely breath taking. 

Products

v  Oak

v  Marble flooring, walls, and staircases

v  Terrazzo flooring

v  Bronze lanterns

The attention to detail at the Getty was unbelievable.  From the floor to the ceiling to the dirt walkways, nothing was done unintentionally.  The bronze lanterns were reminiscent of the ancient Roman era that this museum was renovated after.  Even the shrubs and plants outside were those that Roman’s used to pick and eat off of for survival.  The marble flooring was so intricate and diverse from one room to another, there was even a “Hall of Colored Marbles.”

Materials

v  Wood

v  Glass

v  Travertine

v  Pebbles

v  Glass tiles

v  Glass

v  Bronze

v  Wood formed concrete

The materials used throughout the museum were either replicas of original pieces, or shipped over from Italy for the renovation.  Mixed together, even the trained eye would have a hard time telling which was which.  There was a grand marble staircase that had been recently restored and was truly a work of art itself.  There were mosaic tiles used on a water fountain outside in the garden area that were so tiny, from far away it just looked like a design, quite telling of just how much time was put into that one fountain. 

                Just like any J. Paul Getty museum, travertine covers the museum with simplicity and texture.  Mostly used on the outskirts of the museum, travertine can be found from the floor to the ceiling.  Just like its sister museum, it gives off the warm welcoming visitors embrace when entering the buildings. 

                I find myself visiting both the Getty museums not only for the artwork and sculptures, but mostly for the architecture and garden areas; the buildings themselves area work of art.  I could wander around all day lost in my thoughts taking wonderful pictures of the scenery, lounging in the grassy hills, or having a glass of wine by the fountains.  With the changing seasons the gardens change as well throughout the year, making it a perfect excuse to go explore the beauty that is the Getty Villa.