Geographically, Forestiere Underground Gardens is located in

O U T L I N E P R Q G R A R ^ A N A LY S I S
(Jan. 1980 RF)
SETTING.
Geographically, Forestiere Underground Gardens is located in
approximately the center of the State of California almost mid
way "between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is near the cen
t e r o f t h e S a n J o a q u i n Va l l e y, t h r e e m i l e s s o u t h o f t h e S a n
Joaquin River and just two blocks east of Freeway 99 on West
S h a w A v e n u e i n F r e s n o C o u n t y.
The underground gardens complex is contained in the remaining
ten acre parcel (less streets and roads, measuring 633 feet by
595 feet) of an original seventy acre parcel. The general sur
rounding region, mostly to the west, is primarily agricultural.
It is one of the richest farming regions in the state and the
n a t i o n , w i t h v a s t a c r e a g e s o f g r a p e v i n e y a r d s , fi g o r c h a r d s
and some almond and peach orchards. Grapes by far comprise the
leading crop for Fresno County, which includes a variety of
wine grapes, table grapes and sun-dried seedless raisins.
The immediate surrounding area, within a half mile radius, is
composed of a mixture of conflicting uses and industrial, com
mercial and residential development patterns. The area is
generally depressed economically; and is in need of develop
ment of a detailed plan to deal with the problems created by
incompatible adjacent uses. The Fresno County Planning Com
mission suggested the development of just such a plan in its
resolution of 10-24-78. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors
i d e n t i fi e d F o r e s t i e r e U n d e r g r o u n d G a r d e n s a s a n h i s t o r i c r e
source listed on the National Register of Historic Places and
described by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a
r e s o u r c e u n i q u e t o t h e c o u n t y, s t a t e a n d n a t i o n . S u c h r e c o g
nition was provided by the inclusion of Section 710-02:9*00
in the Bullard Community Plan on 10-8-79*
Forestiere Underground Gardens is described as a unique histor
i c a l a n d a r c h i t e c t u r a l e n t i t y. I t h a s b e e n r e c o g n i z e d a s s u c h
by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places on
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October 28, 1977; by its designation as a California Registered
Historical Landmark by the California Historical Resources Com=
mission at its Fresno meeting on January 6, 1978; and by its
ultimate
formal
i d e n t i fi c a t i o n
as
an
historical
resource
in
the
proposed local community plan on October 8, 1979• The Gardens
was formally dedicated and presented with a bronze plaque by the
California Department of Parks and Recreation on October 12,1979.
"Part of the uniqueness of the gardens is that it transcends
being just merely a piece of private property and because of its
importance, it becomes a matter of public concern..." (National
Trust for Historic Preservation 10-4-78).
The gardens complex of underground chambers, grottos, patios and
garden-courts^^he creation of Baldasare Forestiere (1879-19^6).
They encircle his underground home where he lived and worked
until
the
month
before
his
death.
The
almost
seven
acres
of
grottos, patios, garden-courts and auto-drive are adorned with
citrus trees, grape-pergolas, fruit trees and cascading vines.
They are inter-connected with passageways and promenades, branch
ing outward from his living quarter apartments. The entire
creative complex is widely recognized for its originality and
uniqueness. (National Register Nomination 3-28-77)•
T h e s i g n i fi c a n c e o f t h e u n d e r g r o u n d h o m e a n d g a r d e n s c o m p l e x l i e s
in its uniqueness, its ecological sophistication and its statement
o f e x c e p t i o n a l i n d i v i d u a l c r e a t i v i t y. I t h a s e d u c a t i o n a l v a l u e ,
which deriv^es from all three of these dimensions...The environ
ment is sculptural, but creates ^definite spaces with architect
ural merit...Sun, space and gardens are incorporated into a co
herent entity for human habitation...Earth, vegetation, heat,
water and light provide an economic habitable and ecological
solution that offers lessons to school children, architects and
all citizens facing the prospects of living in an energy-conseriring
world...Thus, the gardens are a study in the maturation of a de
sign and construction ability in an individual artisan and
designer. (State Lajndmark Architectural Supplement 10-12-77)»
Simply put, the gardens complex is an "artistic environment",
imaginatively designed and artistically created. And, like any
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existing art-form, it is simply there and must therefore speak
for itself without too much verbalization and expounding of the
self-evident. Each viewer must extract and absorb for himself
i t s s i g n i fi c a n c e , a c c o r d i n g t o h i s o w n a e s t h e t i c c a p a c i t y a n d
cultural background.
Visiting architects have attempted to identify the gardens as
"terratecture", an ecological earthen structure with architect
ural and conservational implications. Visiting artists, sculp
tors and writers attempt to describe it as "terra^culpture", a
form of walk-in, walk-around sculpture. Although such terms are
n o t e x p l i c i t l y d e s c r i p t i v e , t h e y d o h e l p d e fi n e a m e r g e r o f t w o
conceptual art-formations. Whatever terms are used to help con
v e y i t s s i g n i fi c a n c e , t h e f a c t r e m a i n s t h a t t h e r e i s c r e a t e d a
unique "artistic environment"- pleasing to the senses, with
surrounding aesthetic spaces and artistic vistas. And it is
evident an inter-related and inter-disciplinary harmony has
been incorporated throughout. (California Landmark Nom.10-12-77).
In its totality, the underground home and gardens is a physical
representation of the lifestyle and personality of its creator.
C o n c e p t u a l l y a n d a e s t h e t i c a l l y, i t i s a n a u t o b i o g r a p h y o f a v e r y
unique person. It reflects a thouroughly independent and indiv
i d u a l i s t i c s p i r i t u n b o u n d e d b y c o n v e n t i o n a l i t y. I t i s a n i m p r i n t
of a totally sincere and unpretentious life. It represents in
a graphic but gentle manner one's coming to terms with his en
v i r o n m e n t a n d c o - e x i s t i n g h a r m o n i o u s l y. ( C a l i f o r n i a L a n d m a r k
Nomination 10-12-77)«
The gardens complex KHJcixx exemplifies a simpler rural life of
the 1920iand earlier. It re^fects a gentler time unhurried
and unlike the more frenetic pace of modern contemporary life
of the 1980*s. It is also indicative of rural lifetimes when
s e l f - r e l i a n c e , s e l f - s u b s i s t a n c e a n d s e l f - s u f fi c i e n c y w e r e m u c h
more commonplace. It typifies an era of our historical past
when people, who lived in rural settings, lived off the
bounty of the land as well.
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C u r r e n t l y, t h e u n d e r g r o u n d g a r d e n s p r o p e r t y i s i n p r i v a t e o w n e r
ship; but the public interest vested in this unique historic
p r o p e r t y a n d t h e p u b l i c b e n e fi t d e r i v e d f r o m t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n
of its cultural, aesthetic and other aspects transcends certain
exclusionary rights. Private ownership cannot be viewed as an
obstacle to public participation in its preservation. Because
of the aesthetic enrichment it offers and because of the enhance
ment it offers to the quality of our lives,..."it becomes a mat
ter of public concern". Historic deed restrictions, historic
easements, public ^ess guarantees per annum as well as per long
t e r m s p e c i fi e d - t i m e p e r i o d m a y b e a t t a c h e d t o t h i s u n u s u a l
California Landmark and National Register Site, whereby the
p u b l i c i n t e r e s t i s p r o t e c t e d a n d t h e p u b l i c b e n e fi t i s e x p l i c i t
ly guaranteed. Its further placement in an Historic Property
Preserve may be an added assurance of its preservation.
SYSTEF/COIViFONENT- 1.
The underground gardens facility is part of the Recreational
System,
bccause
it
attracts
and
stimulates
visitors
all
back
grounds and fro.m various cultures. It has recreational value
and merit because of its aesthetic, artistic and edifying attrib
utes. Its universal appeal best attests to its recreative qual
ities. It provides traveling motorists with more than just a
roadside respite and diversion. Traveling motorists and visitors
alike are provided with a thouroughly unique experience.
I t s p r i m e r e c r e a t i o n a l v a l u e l i e s i n i t s a e s t h e t i c e n c o u n t e r.
Visitors are immersed in an aesthetic environment; they exper
ience a hiatus from the hectic and frenzied pace of contemporary
living. They are afforded an opportunity to pause and ponder for
a brief moment some universal reali-;ies^about aesthetics. By be
coming literally and physically^^BJ^^iich an environment, visitors
are provided with a meta-physical experience, a 1/anscendent exp
erience that enriches the quality of life. It enhances and
humanizes
our
hearts.
It
induces
a
reverence
for
aesthetics
and the artistic process. It sublimates a reverence for human
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determination and perseverence. And produces a reverential
regard for our historical past, for the nobility of work and
for the artistic Being captivated in such a creative
ahd artistic environment provides an ennobling, educative and
recreative experience.
I n i t s o w n s i m p l e a n d s i n c e r e w a y, t h e g a r d e n s i s a m e s s a g e f o r
people of all ages and from all cultures. It is inspirational.
It is uplifting of heart and spirit. It unleashes the imagina
t i o n a n d p r o v o k e s v i s i o n s o f v a r i a b i l i t y a n d a d a p t a b i l i t y. E a c h
visitor translates it^message according to his own depth of ex
perience. Its universal appeal lies in its genuine earthy simpli
c i t y a n d s i n c e r f fi t y - i n a m a t e r i a l w o r l d d o m i n a t e d b y p l a s t i c i t y,
a r t i fi c i a l i t y
and
s u p e r fi c i a l i t y .
S Y S T E I V V C O R - F O M E N T- 2 .
The gardens complex is part of the Ecological/Conservational
System. It exemplifies how one person came to terms with his
e n v i r o n m e n t . I t e x e m p l i fi e s h o w h e m o d e r a t e d h i s e n v i r o n m e n t
without it being done violence. How he shaped it; how he com
bined earth, vegetation, sun and water to suit his fancy and
lifestyle, And how he learned to live in peaceful harmony
A^co-exi
and^^co-existence.
The eco-conservational aspects of the underground gardens are
graphically illustrated by the fact that almost every tree,
every shrub and vine originally planted still lives. Still
fl o w e r s . A n d s t i l l b e a r s f r u i t . M a n y o f t h e m , a f t e r m o r e
than seventy years. They were sheltered from the scorching
s u m m e r s u n a n d s h i e l d e d f r o m t h e k i l l i n g f r o s t s o f w i n t e r.
They flourished in a moderated environment. They are provided
a variety of habitats with micro-climates of their own.
Air, light and heat are manipulated and controlled to climatize
specific areas for human habitation as well as plant life. The
venturi-concept is frequently employed. Its inverted conicshaped openings, in the living spaces especially, create drafts
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o f r i s i n g c o n v e c t i o n c u r r e n t s o f a i r. T h e i n s u l a t i n g q u a l i t i e s
and characteristics of earth and vegetation are capitalizea and
u s e d c r e a t i v e l y a n d e f f e c t i v e l y.
SYSTEr^l/COy.PONENT- 3«
The underground gardens complex is part of the Educational System,
b e c a u s e a l l a g e g r o u p s c a n p r o fi t f r o m i t s m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a r y e d
u c a t i v e i m p l i c a t i o n s . I t p r o v i d e s e l e m e n t a l l e s s o n s o f s p e c i fi c
educational value inherent in its aesthetical, structural and
ecological-conservational characteristics.
The creation of its earthen spaces by a process of subtraction
has sculptural as well as architectural merit. Its universal
a p p e a l e x c i t e s p e r s o n a l i d e n t i fi c a t i o n w i t h i t s b a s i c s i m p l i c i t y.
Its method of construction dates back to the early Eabylonian-
Assyrian era of Western Asia with the use of the simple uncentered arch, vault and dome. The simple wall constructions are
variations of cyclopean, mycenae and curvilinear patterns. Kany
of the arches, vaults and domes were built with little or no
centering, but the use of the more sophisticated centered
Roman arch and dome is alscj^revalent.
The physical and structural characteristics of the gardens pro
vide an exem.plary three-dimensional lesson on the early history
of architecture. It graphically illustrates a progressional
development from a free-formed style, without regard for geo
metrical symmetry, to a proportionate centered and symmetrical
style. The tvro styles of arches, vaults and domes are then
c o m b i n e d a n d v a r i e d f o r e ff e c t a n d o p t i c a l b a l a n c e a n d i l l u s i o n .
Earth, vegetation, sun, heat and water are the basic ingredients
o f i t s e c o - c o n s e r v a t i o n a l s i g n i fi c a n c e . I t s v a r i e d a n d a d a p t i v e
uses reveal an exploratory , maturational and aesthetic s^itivi t y o f d e fi n i t e e d u c a t i o n a l m e r i t . C o l l e c t i v e l y, i t s r e c r e a t i v e
and aesthetic value, its sculptural suid architectural merit to
gether with its eco-conservational implications makes the under
ground gardens complex a unique educational medium. It underscores
an inter-disciplinary appDoach to education opposed to a single
disciplinary orientation.
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raSCELLAr>[FOUS
conclusion.
This analysis of the significance and the identification of the
major component/implications of Forestiere Underground Gardens
does not address itself to current existing conditions of the
premises. The overall physical condition of the gardens complex
is visibly threatened with serious impairment. It now exist in
v a r i o u s s t a g e s o f d e b i l i t a t i o n a n d d i s r e p a i r . S p e c i fi c a r e a s
of
destabilization
and
deterioration
have
resulted
over
the
years. The ravages of time and erosion by the elements for the
past some seventy yearfe'has taken its toll and continues to pose
a t h r e a t t o i t s p h y s i c a l i n t e g r i t y. I m m e d i a t e p r o t e c t i v e m e a s u r e s
are required to arrest further destabilization and deterioration.
S p e c i fi c a r e a s i n n e e d o f c r i t i c a l r e p a i r s ( i d e n t i fi e d e a r l y i n
1978) require immediate preservation sind restoration measures
to halt futher impairment, resulting from erosior^d percolation.
A detailed Comprehensive Study and/or Feasibility Study may be
t h e o n l y w a y t o r e fi n e t h e c o m p o n e n t s o u t l i n e d a n d t o d e fi n e
various program and projects consonant with the its aesthetic
and thematic character also cursorily outlined here. Included
i n s u c h a d e t a i l e d s t u d y m i g h t b e d e fi n i n g c o m p a t i b l e u s e s a n d
originally contemplated developments enhancing its overall
character and atmosphere. Central to such uses might be the
immediate
rehabilitation
of
the
Mediterranean
Room
with
related
facilities to permit meetings of various civic, historical, art
and music groups and to provide facilities for various art-shows,
craft and handiwork displays and exhibits, chamber music and
related performances on a year round basis. Such events drama
tized in such a setting would underscore the cultural and hist
o r i c a l s i g n i fi c a n c e o f p r e s e r v a t i o n a n d i t s i n h e r e n t v a l u e .
A long-ranged Comprhensive I^aster Plan might center around the
restoration of the old lake and water-garden as it formerly exist
ed, complimented with its wine-garden and/or wine-pavilion. Other
compatible facilities might include a farmers type fruit and veg
e t a b l e m a r k e t , a n u r s e r y a n d g a r d e n c e n t e r, a w i n e c e l l a r, w i n e
and cheeze tasting room, a pottery and crafts studio, a librarybookstore on eco-conservational and solar technology with related
soft-ware etc etc- all would have to be in keeping with the exist/^g
atmosphere and thematic character set by the gardens originator
and
.creator.
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