Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm obsessed with architecture. I think it's one of the most fascinating subjects there is.
It influences us constantly, the interiors and exteriors we're surrounded by. It reveals history too. The gothic churches in France remind us of the Capetian kings and how they allied themselves with the powerful bishops to defeat rebellious feudal lords. Even if you don't know that history when you see the tall, elaborate features of these churches you sense the power, the symbolism of what they represent.
If I ever become wealthy or an influential politician I'd like to take on large architectural projects. I'd build social housing that had elements of classical design like columns, pilasters and lintels. I believe if we gave people better homes to live in they would have greater aspirations. The concrete tower blocks that were hastily built around the '60s were awful, in my opinion, because they had very little design at all. I'd call them anti-architecture. However brutalism, the style of architecture that uses steel and concrete in massive blocks and which aims to be more functional than anything else, isn't universally bad. The National Theatre in the South Bank in London is an interesting and thought provoking example.
I also think the few large building companies that dominate house building in the UK should be reined in and made to improve their standards. It's not good enough building identikit cookie-cutter houses that have barely any character. The vast majority of housing recently built here and still being built lacks almost any inspiring feature. I'd like to see more sliding-sash Georgian windows, arched doors, mansard roofs, walls decorated with reliefs, louvre window shutters, fake (decorative) horizontal wooden planks like New England houses, art nouveau balconies with tall French doors.
Okay, I've got it out of my system now. Anyone else have a similar obsession?
I'm into the technicalities of buildings and I agree with you - modern housing is terrible. If you look at the designs, it's all about minimising costs but also de-skilling the build so the house is a simple box with all the details bolted on afterwards - and the permutations and combinations are used to give variety.
I've had a couple of brand new houses and the standards were shockingly bad - they couldn't save another penny on the build if they tried.
I'm doing a lot of building at the moment converting my own house - but it's all very much in keeping with the 1920s style - except for all the modern conveniences.
Your wish for sliding windows etc. is not practical because they are not very efficient and the energy efficiency ratings required today make certain designs too difficult to meet the standards.
You only have to watch Grand Designs to see that when people get conned by their architects into having expensive features that their budget goes out the window.
I like cathedrals because of the subtle crowd-control features and the differences between the sides of the building - like the left (sinister) side is normally much less ornate than the right side. I also like to see the errors where the building structure got out of control during the build so there are bodges everywhere.
I hadn't considered the energy efficiency of sliding-sash windows. Hmm. Maybe if they were triple glazed like windows in new homes in Sweden are that would compensate for it?
I've never noticed that about cathedrals, you seem to have a good eye!
My dad who used to be an electrician said that he'd spend longer on perfecting a job than some of his colleagues. I suppose it must be the same in the building trade. Too many workers rushing the job.
Ordinary windows close like a fridge door so there's only one seal and the hinge design and locking mechanism pull it up tight.
Sliding seals need to be loose or you wouldn't be able to slide the unit so they will always be draughty.
A good cathedral to look at is Lincoln - it's a structural mess, totally off-centre and completely different left to right.