DOI issue:
No. 110 (May, 1902)
DOI article:Wainwright, A. S.: A Birmingham architect - W.H. Bidlake
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19875#0268
IV. H. Bidlake
spent in wandering round the chosen site and bric-a-brac shop,—as nothing more, in fact, than a
absorbing its spirit is the best initial step to its piece of decoration.
conception. This thorough entry into the spirit Mr. Bidlake dislikes all narrow passages, his
of his building is perhaps one of the chief factors opinion being that a four-feet way from place to
of Mr. Bidlake's success ; and although in some of place, fashioned with no loftier object in view than
his advice, such as a claim for the careful considera- the convenient passage of the dinner-tray, makes for
tion of the "sky-line," he soars above traditions, gloom and depression. A wide passage, where
who will question that the flight is in the right room may be found for the settle or oak chest,
direction ? and where an odd half-hour may be whiled
"Hospitality," or the house in relation to the away, adds enormously to the general enjoyment
outside world, is his third lamp. and attractiveness of the house ; and it is much
In the arrangement of its parts the house should more expressive of welcome and comfort than a
group well from all points ; and the entrance, for home in which warmth and repose are centred in
preference, should lie at one end of it. For, in one or two rooms, and the rest of the house is as
this, as well as in a certain spaciousness apparent a foreign land to the guest and the owner alike,
on entering, lies the first expression of that These opinions may, perhaps, rank among the
hospitality which should be a quality of the house commonplaces of precept; but, held and practised
A hall which is more than a narrow passage is an by a man of the ability and devotion to his art of
essential; and so, too, is the hall fireplace which, Mr. Bidlake, their value becomes proportionately
with its cheerful fire on a December afternoon, greater.
helps to symbolise the expression of a hearty A man of high ideals in the wider paths of his
welcome. profession, and with the greater part of his life's
Many who consider it necessary to have a fire- work still before him, Mr. Bidlake will doubtless
place in the hall fail to recognise the desirability of achieve greater things, and, in achieving them,
putting a fire into it, counting it in the same cate- will continue to show the way to others,
gory as the rusty ancestral armour purchased at the A. S. Wainwright.
'GARTH HOUSE : THE LANDING W. H. BIDLAKE, ARCHITECT
253
spent in wandering round the chosen site and bric-a-brac shop,—as nothing more, in fact, than a
absorbing its spirit is the best initial step to its piece of decoration.
conception. This thorough entry into the spirit Mr. Bidlake dislikes all narrow passages, his
of his building is perhaps one of the chief factors opinion being that a four-feet way from place to
of Mr. Bidlake's success ; and although in some of place, fashioned with no loftier object in view than
his advice, such as a claim for the careful considera- the convenient passage of the dinner-tray, makes for
tion of the "sky-line," he soars above traditions, gloom and depression. A wide passage, where
who will question that the flight is in the right room may be found for the settle or oak chest,
direction ? and where an odd half-hour may be whiled
"Hospitality," or the house in relation to the away, adds enormously to the general enjoyment
outside world, is his third lamp. and attractiveness of the house ; and it is much
In the arrangement of its parts the house should more expressive of welcome and comfort than a
group well from all points ; and the entrance, for home in which warmth and repose are centred in
preference, should lie at one end of it. For, in one or two rooms, and the rest of the house is as
this, as well as in a certain spaciousness apparent a foreign land to the guest and the owner alike,
on entering, lies the first expression of that These opinions may, perhaps, rank among the
hospitality which should be a quality of the house commonplaces of precept; but, held and practised
A hall which is more than a narrow passage is an by a man of the ability and devotion to his art of
essential; and so, too, is the hall fireplace which, Mr. Bidlake, their value becomes proportionately
with its cheerful fire on a December afternoon, greater.
helps to symbolise the expression of a hearty A man of high ideals in the wider paths of his
welcome. profession, and with the greater part of his life's
Many who consider it necessary to have a fire- work still before him, Mr. Bidlake will doubtless
place in the hall fail to recognise the desirability of achieve greater things, and, in achieving them,
putting a fire into it, counting it in the same cate- will continue to show the way to others,
gory as the rusty ancestral armour purchased at the A. S. Wainwright.
'GARTH HOUSE : THE LANDING W. H. BIDLAKE, ARCHITECT
253