International studio (19.1903)

OME NOTES ON A SUBURBAN
X^HOUSE AND GARDEN. BY
. ^HUGH P. G. MAULE.
MucH has been written of iate on the revivat
of English gardening, but it has chiefty had refer-
ence to large gardens and Rne houses, and too
little regard has been paid to the smaiter kinds,
which reaily almost equally deserve our attention,
and which well repay an attempt at anaiysis and
study.
The ihustrations of this garden and house at
Harrow, designed by Mr. Arnold MitcheH for
himself, are worthy of some consideration; for
though the site is contracted and diificult to treat,
it is a good example of what can and might be
done in scores of cases to attain unity of concep-
tion and a definite combination of house with
garden, even though the area be limited in extent
and the house but a small one.
Mr. Arnold Mitchell has fully realised that a
site, no matter how small (and this is only one-
third of an acre), is capable of definite treatment,
provided the correct scale is kept in all the parts,
and planning in the grand manner is not attempted
in such a small and conhned area.

" THE ORCHARD," HARROW : ENTRAKCE FRONT.

A reference to the plan and various views will
demonstrate the difhculties of the site, which is in
shape like an irregular kite, bounded on the north
and east by the high road, from which the land
falls rapidly. It is clear, therefore, that the varying
changes of level should form the 77;6A/of the whole
scheme, and should dominate the relationship
between house and garden. It is just this cornbin-
ation of house with garden, and the manner in
which each has been treated individually, as well as
in its relationship to the other, which claims our
attention.
The archway and forecourt which so effectively
screen the entrance from the road, the terrace
and garden steps set out where the greatest length
can be obtained, the skilful seizing of the most
level portion for a lawn as a children's playground,
show conclusively what an important part the
garden has played in determining the exact posi-
tion of the house, and that it has been an important
factor in its plan, and that the site, difficult as it
is, has been treated as a whole. Indeed, if
these and the garden surroundings generally be
eliminated, the plan of the house becomes almost
meaningless.
The result is that the utmost advantage has been

ARNOLD MtTCHELL, ARCHITECT


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