Studio: international art (65.1915)

Recent Designs in Domestic Architecture

ECENT DESIGNS IN DOMESTIC
ARCHITECTURE.

Unlike some of the Royal Gold Medal-
lists of the Royal Institute of British Architecture,
including Sir Ernest George and Mr. Reginald
Blomfield, the recipient of the honour this year,
Mr. Frank Darling, of Toronto, is not associated
particularly with Domestic Architecture, though he
has designed some notable private houses. His
practice has lain rather in the sphere of banks,
railway offices, hospitals, and University buildings.
For many years his work has interested not only
those who have seen it in reality, but those who
have been able to assess its worth by means of re-
productions. This is the first time that a Canadian
architect has been selected for this distinction.
Mr. Darling was born and bred in the Dominion,
though he received some training in the offices of
Sir Arthur Blomfield and
G. E. Street. It was not
possible for Mr. Darling to
receive the Medal in person,
and he was represented at
the R.I.B.A. meeting in
June by the High Com-
missioner for Canada. It
is interesting to remember
that the Royal Gold Medal
was instituted for the en-
couragement of the junior
members of the profes-
sion : there was a com-
petition for it in 1846. The
response, however, was not
satisfactory, and Queen
Victoria consented to an
alteration in the arrange-
ments. Since 1848, when
Professor Cockerell re-
ceived it, the distinction has
been conferred annually on
an eminent architect, or
other suitable nominee,
in various countries.

Ruskin was one of those
to refuse it (in 1874).

Some years afterwards
he said that had the
honour been conferred
upon him after he had
written “ The Stones of
Venice,” he would
have gratefully and re-
196

spectfully accepted it: “ U'now proudly refuse
it.”

A notable Past President and life-long supporter
of the Institute died in June, namely, Mr. J.
Macvicar Anderson. He was responsible for many
of the best modern buildings in the City and else-
where in London, and was also the architect for
some large country houses. Dignity was always
present in his work as in his life, and his fine per-
sonal qualities will be remembered for a long time.
His portrait, painted by C. W. Furse, hangs at the
Institute.

Economy in living, which we are recommended
to observe, will be followed probably by attempts
at economy in building. This is no new ideal, and
innumerable houses exist to show that to be too
sparing in first costs is false policy. Durability
can be obtained by a little further expenditure, and
liberality in essentials is always well repaid. While

FIREPLACE,

CARVIN

WIN

G AND PLASTER WORK AT SUMMERHILL COURT, KINGS
FORD. DESIGNED BY J. A. SWAN, F.R. I.B.A.