Author Archives: John Stewart

Richard Norman Shaw I’ve written before about the brilliant Scottish architect Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912). He dominated his profession in Britain in the final decades of the nineteenth century, developing what became known as the ‘Queen Anne’ style with his early partner William Nesfield before going on to lead the classical revival that would dominateContinue reading “Blog 77”

The late nineteenth century was a great period of town hall building around the western world. In Britain, society was undergoing immense change and it was the increasingly wealthy middle class who were now in the ascendancy. As a result of the Great Reform Act of 1832 and further extensions of the franchise in 1867,Continue reading “Blog 76”

I recently had the pleasure of spending several days back in Glasgow for the first time Post-Covid and it remains a fascinating city. The city centre, which is still largely Victorian, has changed hugely in the last 50 years with almost every one of the city’s many beautiful bank and other commercial buildings now convertedContinue reading “Blog 75”

Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire (1660-80) is not one of Britain’s greatest country houses such as Blenheim or Chatsworth, but it is representative of the vast number of outstanding ‘second-division’ country houses with which this country is almost uniquely blessed. Nevertheless, it is an important house both architecturally and historically as it represents one of ourContinue reading “Blog 74”

There can be few artistic achievements in the entire history of mankind which top the architecture, sculpture and painting of Baroque Rome. At its height in Rome from around 1630–1680, Baroque is particularly associated with the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Its dynamic movement, bold realism (giving viewers the impression they were witnessing an actual event), and direct emotional appeal were ideallyContinue reading “Blog 73”

Sooner or later, I had to write about Gunnar Asplund’s Woodland Chapel in Stockholm. If I think of my top ten favourite buildings, it’s on the list straight away and the other nine are measured against it. It sits in the trees of Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz’s Woodland Cemetery which they created in the 1920’sContinue reading “Blog 72”

The ‘Old Bailey’ as it’s known (after the street in London in which it stands), is England’s principal criminal court. Completed in 1902, it was designed by Edward William Mountford (1855-1908) – yet another outstanding British architect who is now almost forgotten. Despite dying at only 52, he had already completed not just the OldContinue reading “Blog 71”

During the summer, the threat to Kiev’s rich architectural heritage seemed to have receded, but with Putin’s shift to missile attacks during the last few months, the risk of damage or indeed its destruction has reared its head once more. With his obvious contempt for human life, one can hardly hope that he will makeContinue reading “Blog 77”

Sir Herbert Baker lived at Owletts his home in Kent for most of his life. His family had lived there since the 17th century and it was only his success as one of the leading British architects of the early 20th century which allowed him to sustain it. Shortly before his death he bequeathed theContinue reading “Blog 69”

Gleneagles Hotel is just one of the many outstanding buildings designed by Scotland’s most prolific architect, James Miller (1860-1947). It was the third of his great Scottish resort hotels, all of which were built by railway companies to encourage recreational travel, following his completion of Turnberry Hotel in 1905 and Peebles Hydro Hotel in 1907.Continue reading “Blog 68”