DOI Heft:
No. 64 (June, 1902)
DOI Artikel:Wainwright, A. S.: A Birmingham architect: W. H. Bidlake
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22773#0266
W. H. Bidlake
which should be avoided in house building—an
example which it has been his constant aim to
warn his pupils against. It is the text of his
often-preached sermon on “ How not to build a
house.”
Starting from the philosophy of the elemental
requirements of a house, Mr. Bidlake may be said
to light three lamps of domestic architecture,
following their guidance in his own work, and
emphasising in his teaching the importance of
keeping them in sight.
The first lamp has regard to the house in its
relation to its owner, and may be called the
“ Lamp of Repose.” He exhorts his pupils, under all
circumstances, to avoid “features.” No sign of
effort, constructional, architectural or other, should
be found in what he considers an ideal house.
In home life the heroic virtues are beside the
mark, while the domestic ones are of its essence.
So with the house itself. Repose must be the
keynote everywhere. The house is a haven of
rest for its owner. For the busy man to return
home wearied with his day’s work to the company
of some self-assertive and blatant “special feature”
of an architect’s misguided originality is an inde-
scribable evil; and some of the copper twists and
curls that circle round the fireplace, or the tonic
“ voussoirs ” that punctuate the arches in some
houses, can be nothing but torture to a sensitive
man.
As with the architecture, so with the decoration.
Restful, harmonious schemes of decoration must
prevail throughout, with nothing that can offend by
especially attracting and riveting the unwilling
attention.
So we merge into the second lamp, that of
“ Harmony,” which appertains to the house itself
and its situation and growth.
Mr. Bidlake considers his house in the light of
the natural growth, as it were, of its surroundings-
Externally its form should be carefully evolved
with regard to the levels and accidents of the site.
The disposition of the trees, if any, the arrangement
of the garden, as well as the choice of materials,
preferably local ones, which, harmonious in their
own colouring, receive willingly the mellowing
tints that Time and Nature give—all these are
cardinal points to observe ; and an hour or two
which should be avoided in house building—an
example which it has been his constant aim to
warn his pupils against. It is the text of his
often-preached sermon on “ How not to build a
house.”
Starting from the philosophy of the elemental
requirements of a house, Mr. Bidlake may be said
to light three lamps of domestic architecture,
following their guidance in his own work, and
emphasising in his teaching the importance of
keeping them in sight.
The first lamp has regard to the house in its
relation to its owner, and may be called the
“ Lamp of Repose.” He exhorts his pupils, under all
circumstances, to avoid “features.” No sign of
effort, constructional, architectural or other, should
be found in what he considers an ideal house.
In home life the heroic virtues are beside the
mark, while the domestic ones are of its essence.
So with the house itself. Repose must be the
keynote everywhere. The house is a haven of
rest for its owner. For the busy man to return
home wearied with his day’s work to the company
of some self-assertive and blatant “special feature”
of an architect’s misguided originality is an inde-
scribable evil; and some of the copper twists and
curls that circle round the fireplace, or the tonic
“ voussoirs ” that punctuate the arches in some
houses, can be nothing but torture to a sensitive
man.
As with the architecture, so with the decoration.
Restful, harmonious schemes of decoration must
prevail throughout, with nothing that can offend by
especially attracting and riveting the unwilling
attention.
So we merge into the second lamp, that of
“ Harmony,” which appertains to the house itself
and its situation and growth.
Mr. Bidlake considers his house in the light of
the natural growth, as it were, of its surroundings-
Externally its form should be carefully evolved
with regard to the levels and accidents of the site.
The disposition of the trees, if any, the arrangement
of the garden, as well as the choice of materials,
preferably local ones, which, harmonious in their
own colouring, receive willingly the mellowing
tints that Time and Nature give—all these are
cardinal points to observe ; and an hour or two