Sir Edward Lutyens: Background and Analysis of the Work - Essay Example

One of the most influential architects of the 19th and 20th centuries was Sir Edward Lutyens. Sir Lutyens' work is highly d and sought after by any in numerous countries. He is often celebrated for this his contribution to building design for his and other eras to come. Sir Edwin Lutyens was a prominent architect of the late 19th and early 20th century. In fact, he may have been one of the most important English architects of the early twentieth century. He was influenced greatly by traditional styles and building methods. Lutyens was responsible for many notable buildings. He designed the Art Gallery in Johannesburg, the British Embassy in Washington, both Oxford and Cambridge University buildings and the Irish National War Memorial in Dublin, among many others. He quickly demonstrated a mastery of Baroque architecture, often embracing classical styles of design as well as the design of New Delhi. Many of his works can still be visited today. Sir Edward Lutyens: Background and Analysis of the Work of this 20th Century Architect The 19th and 20th centuries were a part of a very important era in architecture. One of the great architects of today use the works that were created during this era as inspiration for their own work. Many of the buildings that are seen through out America as well as other countries comes from the influence that this era has had on architecture as a whole. One of these very influential architects that are so often used for inspiration today is Sir Edwin Lutyens. He is often noted for this his contribution to building design for his and other eras to come. Sir Edwin Lutyens was a prominent architect of the late 19th and early 20th century. In fact, he may have been one of the most important English architects of the early twentieth century. He was influenced greatly by traditional styles and building methods. Biography of Sir Edward Lutyens Sir Edward Lutyens was brought up by bohemian parents in the village of Thursley, West Surrey. As a child, Lutyens was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and was not able to attend school or to play with the other children. It could be argued that this is one reason for his fascination with children. At the age of 16, in 1885, Lutyens was enrolled at the Royal College of Art to study architecture. He later studied Architecture at South Kensington School of Art, London from 1885 to 1887. After college he joined the Ernest George and Harold Ainsworth Peto architectural practice. In 1889, at the age of 20, he set up an independent practice in London. He initially built his practice designing houses for the villagers who couldn't afford estate homes. His first commission was a private house at Crooksbury, Farnham, Surrey. Lutyens was often described as a whimsical person who was often very playful, even on solemn occasions. He was also seen as a passionate advocate for the state of "childhood". In dedication to this passion, as one of his 20th century works, Lutyens proposed a circular nursery for a client's home because he felt that only such a shape could ensure that no child would ever be made to stand in the corner. He often used circular shapes in his architecture as a sign of equality in society. In addition to his own works, Lutyens contributed to another childhood icon by creating the fairy-tale characters Nana, the governess dog and the ticking crocodile in the Peter Pan tale. Lutyens' talent was publicly recognized with his election as Associate of the Royal Academy in 1913. Five years later, on New Years Day 1918, he was knighted in recognition of his work in Delhi and for his free services to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In 1921, Lutyens was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Institute of American Architecture. In 1934 Oxford University presented him with an honorary doctorate of Law. The same year he received a notable honor when elected President of the Royal Academy. Receiving a royal honor for the third time in 1942, Lutyens was awarded with the Order of Merit. Sir Edwin Lutyens died on New Years Day 1944 at the age of 73. Lutyens' Greatest Works Sir Edward Lutyens was responsible for some marvelous commissioned work in England but his most important work was in India where he was responsible for the layout and planning of New Delhi. Designed by Lutyens, New Delhi was choosen as the seat of the British Indian government in 1912. The project was completed in 1929 and officially inaugurated in 1931. In taking on this project, Lutyens invented his own new order of classical columns and design, which has become know as the "Delhi Order". Lutyens was responsible for many other notable buildings. He designed the Art Gallery in Johannesburg, the British Embassy in Washington, both Oxford and Cambridge University buildings and the Irish National War Memorial in Dublin, among many others. He quickly demonstrated a mastery of Baroque architecture, often embracing classical styles of design. His most important building there was the Viceroy's house. After the First World War, he was responsible for many war memorials, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, and the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme at Thiepval in France. In Ireland, he designed the Islandbridge War Memorial in Dublin, as well as Howth and Lambay Castles in Dublin. While in Ireland, Lutyens was involved with Hugh Lane's proposal to build a Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin. Several suggested designs were produced, but the chosen design took the form of two pavilions at either end with a columned pergola between them over a three-arched bridge. This controversial design was suggested as a bridge gallery'. This caused such controversy from the Irish because a foreign architect designed it, even though Lutyens' mother was Irish. His work in the northeast included the renovation of four village houses to form Whalton Manor and the restoration of Lindisfarne Castle. Along Surrey's countryside, Lutyens' work can be seen in the houses he created like Munstead Wood, Viceroy's House, and Castle Drogo at Devon. Munstead Wood was designed in 1898. This house was designed for Getrude Jekyll of Surry, and was created from a group of structures that included a mediaeval barn. Lutyens also landscaped Surry's topography including its orchards. In the 1920's, Lutyens built a dollhouse for Queen Mary. It is built to a scale of 1:12 and everything in the house is built to perfection, including the miniature lights. The palace includes paintings, staterooms, servant's quarters and a garage. Stated to be the most famous dollhouse in the world. It was not conceived or built as a plaything for children. Its goal was to serve as an exhibit of the finest British craftsmanship of the period. The dollhouse itself exists within Windsor Castle in Berkshire. The monumental Castle Drogo was designed for Julius Drewe, the founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. Lutyens' original plans the castle show the ambitionthat Drewe had in mind when he made the commission. Lutyens' London buildings are reminiscent of 20th-century British historicism mixed with abstract geometry and symmetry. Lutyens' creation of the Reuters and Press Associates Headquarters, which he finished in 1935, is a perfect example of this style of architecture. Lutyens also designed furniture, which is still today being shown and offered by his granddaughter in London. These designs include tables, chairs, sofas, lamps, and door fixtures. Lutyens' Influence Many critics believe that Lutyens was the greatest architect of 20th-century Britain. Hundreds of Lutyens' traditional styled buildings can be found throughout England, though many of them have now been remodeled. Until about 1975 the British turned a deaf ear to those architectural critics and others who insisted there was something genuinely great about Lutyens. His work is often described by American architects as dreamy and surreal. Some say that Lutyens' houses are like the scenery of an child's imagination. One is often reminded by looking at his building that the man who designed the first sets for Peter Pan designed them. The influence that Sir Edward Lutyens' work has and on American architecture today is undeniable. Even in its controversy and child-like designs, architects across the world have come to admire and hold him in the highest esteem as a model of the integrity and imagination that an architect should hold. This influence is obvious in many of the recently constructed buildings seen around the world. References Butner, A., Person,N., Steward, G., Hussey, C. Architecture of Sir Edwin Lutyens. 2002 Glancey, J. "A Child's Intuition, an Adult's Logic".The Independent n2658. 1995 Jacobs, B. "Sir Edwin Lutyens: Designing in the English Tradition". Booklist v97 2001. Peppiatt, M. "England's Castle Drogo; Sir Edwin Lutyens' extravagant design for Julius Drewe in Devon.".Architectural Digest v58 2001. "Sir Edward Lutyens" The Lustyens Trust, www.lutyenstrust.org.uk, retrieved 6/14/2005. Webb, C. "Lutyens Comes Back in Style". The Times n65215. 1995 p21(1) Read More