The Caltech Bechtel Residence done in the style of Russell W. Porter

In Caltech’s Library exists the research textbook Plastic Design of Steel Frames written by my father: Dr. Lynn S Beedle.  California native, Cal Berkeley educated, US Navy Lt. Commander, PhD. Lehigh University, Professor Emeritus and creator of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat—his story is epitomized by engineering contemporaries in the book Catalyst For Skyscraper Evolution.  Chapter one is titled “Educator, Humanist and A Master Mind.”

I am his son, namesake and as contrastingly different creatively as one can be from the analytical mind of a Civil Engineer, yet no son could be more proud of his father, and it was no surprise to have his name mentioned during my communication with both ZGF and Caltech while discussing this artwork.

 In the early Seventies I spent a month accompanying my father while he met with World Engineering leaders on one of his many Asian trips. As eldest son I had the good fortune to witness his strength of purpose in ways our extended family could not. While my father met with dignitaries and prestigious tall building designers and engineers from the all over Asia, I had the artist’s hope of experiencing that part of the world in my own way. In four short weeks I had completed five paintings, twice as many illustrations and filled my sketchbooks with drawings.

 I look back on those four weeks as one of the most artistically creative periods I ever experienced, largely due to living with the most motivated, organized, driven and dedicated man ever to bring an energetic “world view” into his professional life. He was an inspiration to me then and I am sure he was looking over my shoulder on this project these past months.

I researched Russel W. Porter extensively only to find his special cutaway drawing methods impossible to successfully replicate rendering a sprawling structure like Bechtel. Instead, I brought those planned “cut-away” segments into the forefront of the drawing process and attempted to bring Porter’s same detailed scope to my illustration of the Bechtel Residence.

How much Porter actually used measuring tools in his work is up for conjecture. I came away with the distinct impression he had access to engineering, blueprint and construction drawings yet was able to bring an uncanny, almost enhanced sense of perspective to their assembly. To that extent I used pencil, pen, brush, ink and an obtuse drafting triangle without bringing any measuring device whatsoever to the table. I firmly believe Porter and I draw in much the same way; a fact proven by the disclaimer he placed on all his drawings. “Approximate Scale” explains everything.

Porter was a master in the use of ink shading. His “phantom” drawings are unmatched. He left under-drawings as a means of explanation. He lined through and across his work to serve as guidelines for depth and separation.  His pen and brush work was accomplished with rock-steady freehand and he was able to adjust images to fit a space without any noticeable distortion.

I took an artist’s liberty at the side and footer of the illustration by rendering images of Caltech historical personalities as well as some timely reminders of the difficult year that was 2020. Included was a quick study of Dr. Russell W. Porter: pipe clenched in his teeth and pen steady in his hand leaning on one arm much as I did myself while channeling many of the man’s techniques into this illustration of Caltech’s Bechtel Residence. The introduction to both has been a pleasure.

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