DOI issue:
No. 182 (January 1925)
DOI article:The work of messrs. Falconer, Baker and Campbell, architects, [1]
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21402#0032
FALCONER, BAKER AND CAMPBELL
AI B KJ G H T 6 N M E MO K I A I,'
5 K ETCH F.OK F I <J V f. E
DRAWING OF FIGURE FOR ALBRIGHTON
WAR MEMORIAL. BY J. A. CAMPBELL
always been evolved naturally from the
character of the materials used and the
methods of construction adopted. Messrs.
Falconer, Baker & Campbell's bold and
imaginative design proves that reinforced
concrete, if properly treated, need be
no exception to the rule. It has
26
not been possible to obtain photographs
which do justice to the design and it
should be borne in mind that the model
is, in some respects, approximate and in-
complete, but the general characteristics
of this remarkable scheme are sufficiently
indicated to convince one of the courage,
ability, and sincerity of purpose which
has inspired the conception. The archi-
tects realise that they have to overcome
conservatism and prejudice and that the
acceptance of reinforced concrete, honestly
and logically treated, as suitable for
a church, demands a definite readjustment
of outlook, rather formidable perhaps to
the average citizen. The fact should be
emphasised that their design is in no
sense the outcome of any striving after
originality but is a natural and legitimate
expression of modern necessities and
changed technical and economic influ-
ences. It is evident, from a study of the
model, that the designers, in their efforts
to meet purely constructional needs and
to use their material in a truthful manner,
have produced, inevitably it would seem,
entirely satisfactory proportions and forms
throughout. 0 0 0 0 0
A few details relating to the design may
be of interest. The whole building, in
length, breadth and height, is based on
the cube as a unit, this giving rhythm in
plan and elevation. Thus, the body of
the church is a square in six units by three
to the springing of the roof, each unit
being 12ft., a dimension selected for its
economy in construction and followed
throughout. The attractive character of
the roof trusses should be noted. It is
proposed to fill in the spaces between the
functional piers and beams with panels in
which are placed large windows con-
structedof concrete blocks,diversified inde-
sign and giving a rich traceried effect. These
would be glazed with quarries of different
colours. Various textures are proposed
for the surface of the concrete and it is
intended to provide colour relief internally
by introducing strips of marble, inset. 0
In addition to this church we illustrate
an interesting design, by the same archi-
tects, for a Masonic hall, and in a forth-
coming number we hope to include
recent examples of their domestic work.
S. B. W.
AI B KJ G H T 6 N M E MO K I A I,'
5 K ETCH F.OK F I <J V f. E
DRAWING OF FIGURE FOR ALBRIGHTON
WAR MEMORIAL. BY J. A. CAMPBELL
always been evolved naturally from the
character of the materials used and the
methods of construction adopted. Messrs.
Falconer, Baker & Campbell's bold and
imaginative design proves that reinforced
concrete, if properly treated, need be
no exception to the rule. It has
26
not been possible to obtain photographs
which do justice to the design and it
should be borne in mind that the model
is, in some respects, approximate and in-
complete, but the general characteristics
of this remarkable scheme are sufficiently
indicated to convince one of the courage,
ability, and sincerity of purpose which
has inspired the conception. The archi-
tects realise that they have to overcome
conservatism and prejudice and that the
acceptance of reinforced concrete, honestly
and logically treated, as suitable for
a church, demands a definite readjustment
of outlook, rather formidable perhaps to
the average citizen. The fact should be
emphasised that their design is in no
sense the outcome of any striving after
originality but is a natural and legitimate
expression of modern necessities and
changed technical and economic influ-
ences. It is evident, from a study of the
model, that the designers, in their efforts
to meet purely constructional needs and
to use their material in a truthful manner,
have produced, inevitably it would seem,
entirely satisfactory proportions and forms
throughout. 0 0 0 0 0
A few details relating to the design may
be of interest. The whole building, in
length, breadth and height, is based on
the cube as a unit, this giving rhythm in
plan and elevation. Thus, the body of
the church is a square in six units by three
to the springing of the roof, each unit
being 12ft., a dimension selected for its
economy in construction and followed
throughout. The attractive character of
the roof trusses should be noted. It is
proposed to fill in the spaces between the
functional piers and beams with panels in
which are placed large windows con-
structedof concrete blocks,diversified inde-
sign and giving a rich traceried effect. These
would be glazed with quarries of different
colours. Various textures are proposed
for the surface of the concrete and it is
intended to provide colour relief internally
by introducing strips of marble, inset. 0
In addition to this church we illustrate
an interesting design, by the same archi-
tects, for a Masonic hall, and in a forth-
coming number we hope to include
recent examples of their domestic work.
S. B. W.