Category: Architecture

A Vanished Mansion

I have lived in London for almost half a century. I went to Gunnersbury Park for the first time, with Bertie, on a sunny day last month.

Barons Court Station

This post, written in February 2017, describes some of the features of Barons Court station. It depicts an architectural rarity, deservedly Grade II listed. Unfortunately and inexplicably some of my photographs have disappeared, so I took some more yesterday.

Oriental Scenery

Earls Terrace is a terrace of twenty-five houses built in the first decade of the 19th century.

The D’Israeli Column

I hadn’t heard of Edward Buckton Lamb (1806 – 1869), a Victorian architect called “a Rogue Gothic Revivalist” criticised by his contemporaries but in the 20th century Pevsner called him “the most original though certainly not the most accomplished architect of his day”. I have now seen two of his works.

I’ve Got a Little List

I went to The White Swan this morning thanks to Angela and Edward’s comment yesterday and on the way saw the Bondgate Tower.

The Red Hotel

Let’s get this in proportion. There are 24,413 schools in England, or thereabouts, of which fewer than 150 are closed for a short time because of structural problems relating to a type of concrete that has outlived its safe life.

William Gilberd

The Gilberd School was founded in 1912 as The Junior Technical School and in 1957 changed its name to The Gilberd School when girls were admitted. It moved to a new site in the 1970s.

Kenwood Revisited

“Lord Mansfield received important guests here, as they admired his books and Robert Adam’s stunning decoration. Adam drew on the architecture of ancient Roman buildings and his own theories about colour to create one of the most innovative late 18th century British interiors.” (Kenwood Guide)

Cave Men

Jeremy Clarke, who sadly died too young this year, and Matthew Parris, both columnists in The Spectator, bought cave houses in France and Spain respectively.