Monthly Archives: August 2007

How to get ahead in the world

In 1923 Ninian Comper obtained the commission for his masterpiece: the conventual church of All Saints, London Colney. The convent had previously employed Leonard Stokes (1858-1925), why did they change architects? The reason may be found in ‘Sir Ninian Comper’ … Continue reading

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Continuity loves Comper

A recent biography of Sir Ninian Comper reasseses the career and reputation of this prolific church architect. The book ‘Sir Ninian Comper’ by Anthony Symondson and Stephen Bucknall is published by Spire Books, and you can read a review (from … Continue reading

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Stirling’s Preston Housing

Fifty years ago James Stirling* was commissioned to design new housing for Preston. The scheme was completed in 1962 and was one of his earliest built projects in independent practice. In ‘Complete Works 1950-1974’ the scheme is illustrated alongside a … Continue reading

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Royan, France (not Royan, Iran)

From Wikipedia: During the Second World War, two German fortresses defended the Gironde Estuary: Gironde Mündung Nord (or Royan) and Gironde Mündung Süd (or La Pointe de Grave). These constitued one of the Atlantic “pockets” which the Germans held on … Continue reading

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Card No.12

Town and country. In between one and two dimensions.

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Perfect Match

The Wedding Tower at the Matildenhoe, Darmstadt 1906-1909. Architect: Josef Maria Olbrich. The tower was erected to commemorate the marriage of the Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig to Princess Eleonore zu Solms-Hohensolms-Lich on 2 February 1905. On the top floor is … Continue reading

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