Fealy, Barbara, 1903-2000

Barbara Fealy (1903-2000) was a landscape architect who practiced in the Pacific Northwest from 1930s to 1990s. Her firm Barbara Fealy Landscape Architect was located in Portland, Or.

From the description of Barbara Fealy Landscape Architect records, 1966-1993. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 463654533

Barbara Bertha Vorse Fealy was born in 1903 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Albert Justin and Bettie Vorse. Mr. Vorse owned one of Utah's largest wholesale nurseries, and his daughter grew up assisting with his operation. Fealy worked with plants of all ages, from seedlings to large specimens, and was impressed with plants from an early age.

Albert Vorse was so impressed with his daughter's love of plants and her ability to draw that in 1921 he sent her to University of Illinois to study landscape architecture. This period of time was the end of the era of the first generation of landscape architects. Jens Jensen, a passionate advocate of native plants, was a visiting professor at the University of Illinois while Fealy was a student. Fealy especially remembers his field trip to the dunes in Indiana.

Surveying and drawing were two essential components of the curriculum while Fealy was at University of Illinois. This was during the era of the Beaux Arts movement, and the classical elements of drawing were emphasized. Fealy became fluent in pencil sketching, painting, and water colors. She loved art, and art influenced her perception of landscape architecture. She was particularly fond of John Constable's landscape paintings (England, late 1800s). Gertrude Jekyll also influenced Fealy's style (England, gardens with exuberant floral display, late 1800s). She was impressed with the work of landscape architect Thomas Church, who promoted the idea that a house's landscape is a series of outdoor "rooms" which provide comfort and beauty.

Fealy distinctly remembers a school outing to estates along Chicago's North Shore, including the estate of the Armors. Servants waited on the students at a luncheon, and the budding practitioners were permitted to walk around the grounds. Fealy was impressed with this experience of unbridled wealth and its outpouring upon lavish landscapes. Her dream to work with affluent clients was later fulfilled with many projects in Portland's Dunthorpe and West Hills districts.

Fealy is not as well known as other prominent architects and landscape architects. This is probably because most of her work was for private residences. However, she did complete some commercial projects, and the finished landscapes were celebrated and well-liked. Among some of her works are the following:

Following is a chronology of Fealy’s personal and professional life:

Fealy had one daughter, Susan Fealy, who also goes by the name Valencia. Valencia has two children, Fealy’s grandchildren, named Gabriel Valencia and Allegra Doherty.

Knowledge of Fealy’s work spread by word of mouth. 1964 was a pivotal year for Fealy. John Gray, a prominent Portland developer, retained her to model the landscape for what was to become Salishan Lodge on the Oregon Coast. Her design gained her instant recognition. After that project, many wealthy and prominent clients sought her services.

Because her work was in high demand, Fealy was able to be selective about her clients. Clients’ first letters to Fealy often expressed honor at Fealy’s acceptance of their projects. And just as Fealy chose her jobs, she was particular about her craftspeople. She would work exclusively with specific craftspeople, and everyone involved in a project worked together as a team. Ron Vandehey was her contractor from the 1970s forward. Roy Haftorson was her concrete contractor. She also preferred certain masons. Fealy would manage landscape installation to continue the creative process and to control the project. Through this selection of craftspeople and on-site installation management, Fealy was able to achieve the level of fine quality materials and craft exhibited in her work.

Fealy would start the design process by meeting with a prospective client and learning the job requirements. A technical report would often be produced to manifest the topographical contours of the site. Fealy would then work out a preliminary plan and present it to the client. Revisions would lead to a final plan - usually 2H on vellum. Dates would be lined up and installation would begin.

It has been said that Fealy's designs seem as if they are the only and most appropriate solution to each job. Landscape "rooms" compose each site, with transitions that move a person from room to room. Space is generous, yet proportionate with nearby buildings and surrounding scenes. A room often will consist of a hard surface, such as exposed aggregate concrete, flagstone, or crushed gravel, articulated with surprising creativity, framing or being framed by superb compositions of plants. Boulders, mounds, and sculptures frequently augment the scene. Carefully designed fences, walls, lamps, and other implements further extend the design theme. All is done with simplicity. Common feelings are peace, visual pleasure, and comfort when one is in a space designed by Fealy. There is a timeless quality. The design is always sophisticated, understated, simple.

Fealy's clients sometimes became her personal friends, and long-lasting relationships bloomed. Client letters to her during or after jobs frequently display affection.

Fealy continued practicing landscape architecture through 1995, when she was 92 years old. She then lived with her daughter for two years in Seattle and then in an apartment in Beaverton, Oregon, where she lived until her death in December 2000. She loved landscape architecture and said she could not think of another career that would have given her greater satisfaction.

For a more detailed account, see Katherine Ann Supplee’s master’s thesis, University of Washington.

From the guide to the Barbara Fealy Landscape Architect records, 1966-1993, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)