Landmark Status Protects a Halprin-Designed Midcentury Landscape

Sam Ferris and his siblings have devoted years to protecting their childhood home in Spokane, Washington. After their parents passed, the family restored, documented, and secured landmark status for the property—one of Spokane's first modern homes—before passing it to new stewards.

Joel and Mary Ferris owned Spokane's first modern home decor store, Joel, and practiced what they sold. They hired rising architect Bruce Walker for their home, but neighborhood resistance pushed them to family land on a larger estate. Walker, involved with Washington Water Power headquarters alongside Lawrence Halprin—both Harvard students under Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius—recruited Halprin for the landscape.

Thanks to the Ferris family's stewardship, Halprin's landscape remains exceptionally preserved. The Spokane Register of Historic Places granted landmark status in September 2012, protecting key design elements. Sam Ferris now pursues national landmark status.

A Japanese-Inspired Meditative Garden

Between carport and home, a meditative garden greets guests. "Halprin picked each boulder himself," Sam recalls. "He was very specific about placement." The garden instills calm whether departing for the day or returning home.

Signature Lanterns

Halprin designed three steel lanterns used throughout. "Perforations let light glow not just from top and bottom, but through the little holes," Ferris notes.

Original 1955 Plan

Halprin divided the property into distinct functional spaces: meditative garden, play garden, and back garden.

Colorful Separation

A vibrant wall visually separates play and back gardens. "Panels added wonderful color in winter under snow," Ferris says.

Play Garden

Once held the children's swing set, slide, and sandbox.

Back Lounge Patio (1956)

A 1956 photo shows the original back patio with a lantern visible.

Expanded Back Garden

Halprin placed the lounge patio toward the property edge. When the family later acquired nearly half an acre beyond, they hired landscape architects who referenced Halprin's original plans to extend the flower bed at the new scale.

Mature Trees as Design Anchors

The property's history as part of a family estate gifted beautiful mature trees for Halprin to design around.

Indoor-Outdoor Flow

"My parents entertained a lot, and free-flowing movement between indoors and out was part of the modern era and their lifestyle," Ferris explains. Views of the yard are enjoyed from throughout the house.

A Family Legacy

One of Halprin's charming sketches depicts Joel and Mary enjoying their yard. "The yard was a beautiful and relaxing space the whole family enjoyed. My siblings and I were very lucky to have grown up here." Follow the story at Spokane Midcentury.