Category Archives: Uncategorized

While researching my biography of Sir Herbert Baker I had the great pleasure of gaining access to his drawings in the RIBA’s collection. Unlike Lutyens (most of whose drawings were burnt in the 1940’s), there are a huge number of Baker’s drawings which survive. These include roll upon roll of his drawings for both theContinue reading “Blog 67”

Continuing my ramblings on architecture, sculpture and engineering, I give you the Hope Memorial Bridge (previously the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge) in Cleveland, Ohio, or to be more specific, its magnificent sculpted pylons. The bridge itself, which was completed in 1932, is a massive 1,368m span steel truss road bridge on stone piers, which crosses the CuyahogaContinue reading “Blog 66”

Very gratifying to have my new book on JJ Burnet and James Miller being reprinted already – thanks to everyone for your support – and some great reviews too: “There’s something particularly appealing about a book covering a significant subject that is so well researched and written that you know that it will become theContinue reading “The Life and Works of James Miller and John James Burnet”

By 1910, Lionel and Florence Phillips ruled Johannesburg society (such as it was). Lionel was a gold mining magnate, financier and Chairman of the Chamber of Mines, while Florence led most of the young city’s cultural activities. Herbert Baker had provided them with an elegant base in his Villa Arcadia, high on the ridge ofContinue reading “Blog 65”

Published earlier this week, my book on Scottish architects James Miller and JJ Burnet provides an introduction to their remarkable lives and extraordinary architectural output. I hope that it will renew interest in their work and contribute to the protection of their surviving buildings.   John James Burnet, the son of a wealthy Scottish architect  led hisContinue reading “Blog 64”

Continuing my deep dive into Victorian architecture for my latest book on architectural sculpture, I have been savouring the work of the extraordinary William Burges (1827-88). A committed Goth, he had neither the religious fervour of Scott, Butterfield or Street nor their success in winning architectural competitions. His career was languishing in the slow laneContinue reading “Blog 63”

My biography of Sir Herbert Baker will finally be published at the end of this month and is now available to pre-order on Amazon and elsewhere. His life story is fascinating and little known – his best architecture is outstanding (as his contemporaries recognized) and his reputation and contribution to British architecture is now long overdueContinue reading “Blog 62”

We are fortunate in Britain to have both a rich architectural and engineering heritage which includes numerous exceptional bridges throughout the country. Perhaps the most spectacular (though fans of the Forth Railway Bridge would probably dissent) is the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge in Bristol which, despite being completed in 1864 and beingContinue reading “Blog 61”

While the world’s leaders were driven from Glasgow Airport to the Conference Centre for COP26, few could have imagined the scene below their route. Glasgow City Council has descended into chaos in recent times and this once proud city now finds its streets strewn with rubbish and almost all recycling suspended. Unfortunately, the Council areContinue reading “Blog 50”

Glasgow has in the past played host to a number of major exhibitions during the 19th and 20th centuries. The first was in 1888 when James Sellars offered an oriental theme in celebration of the British Empire’s then ever-extending boundaries as a backdrop to a display of the city’s industry, innovation and commercial success. To mark theContinue reading “Blog 59”