Herbert Tudor Buckland
Encyclopedia
Herbert Tudor Buckland (November 20, 1869 – 1951) was a British
architect
, best known for his seminal Arts and Crafts
houses (several of which, including his own at Edgbaston
, Birmingham
, are Grade I listed), the Elan Valley
model village, educational buildings such as the campus of the Royal Hospital School
in Suffolk
and St Hugh's College
in Oxford
.
, Wales
and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham
and the school of architecture at Birmingham School of Art
. After a period working for C. E. Bateman
at the firm Bateman and Bateman Buckland set up in independent practice in 1897, entering into partnership with Edward Haywood-Farmer in 1900. In 1914, he went into partnership with William Haywood, Edward Haywood-Farmer's relative and on Haywood-Farmer's death in 1917 the practice continued with William Haywood as Buckland and Haywood.
Buckland followed William Martin
as architect to the School Board
in 1901 and then served as architect to the City of Birmingham Education Committee after the abolition of school boards in 1902: his buildings are amongst Birmingham's most forward-looking of their time. He also sat on the Executive Council of The Birmingham Civic Society
which devised many schemes for the improvement of Birmingham in the 1920s and 1930s including the purchase of many parks and open spaces which were gifted to the city. Much of modern Birmingham owes its origins to the ideas put forward by Buckland and Haywood over 75 years ago.
The partnership of Buckland-Farmer operated from offices in Norwich Union Chambers, Corngreve Street (now demolished). Buckland & Haywood specialised in school work, and St Hugh’s College, Oxford (1914–16) gained them a national reputation. Their largest work in this field is the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk (1925–33), which includes a splendid chapel.
In his domestic work Buckland showed an originality that was much admired, helping make Birmingham the centre for a magnificent group of provincial architects (a rare thing in Britain, where the Capital is one of the most metropolitan) at a time when London architects were some of the world's best. Alan Crawford
, distinguished authority on the Arts and Crafts period, confirms that Buckland "developed such a highly personal style of such quality in domestic work that he must rank with the best of his time" - Edwin Lutyens
, Charles Voysey
and Baillie Scott
. Buckland's designs were much copied by his contemporaries and comparisons with Voysey are interesting.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, best known for his seminal Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
houses (several of which, including his own at Edgbaston
Edgbaston
Edgbaston is an area in the city of Birmingham in England. It is also a formal district, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Edgbaston ward and the wards of Bartley Green, Harborne and Quinton....
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, are Grade I listed), the Elan Valley
Elan Valley
The Elan Valley is a river valley situated to the west of Rhayader, in Powys, Wales, sometimes known as the "Welsh Lake District". It covers of lake and countryside....
model village, educational buildings such as the campus of the Royal Hospital School
Royal Hospital School
The Royal Hospital School, , is a British co-educational independent boarding school with naval traditions. It admits pupils from age 11 to 18 through Common Entrance or the school's own exam...
in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
and St Hugh's College
St Hugh's College, Oxford
St Hugh's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. It is located on a fourteen and a half acre site on St Margaret's Road, to the North of the city centre. It was founded in 1886 as a women's college, and accepted its first male students in its centenary year in 1986...
in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
.
Biography
Buckland was born in BarmouthBarmouth
Barmouth ; Y Bermo ) is a town in the county of Gwynedd, north-western Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Mawddach and Cardigan Bay.The town is served by Barmouth railway station.- History :...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham
King Edward's School, Birmingham
King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to...
and the school of architecture at Birmingham School of Art
Birmingham School of Art
The Birmingham School of Art was a municipal art school based in the centre of Birmingham, England. Although the organisation was absorbed by Birmingham Polytechnic in 1971 and is now part of Birmingham City University's Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, its Grade I listed building on...
. After a period working for C. E. Bateman
Charles Bateman
Charles Edward Bateman FRIBA was an English architect, known for his Arts and Crafts and Queen Anne-style houses and commercial buildings in the Birmingham area and for his sensitive vernacular restoration and extension work in the Cotswolds.- Life and career :Bateman was born in Castle Bromwich,...
at the firm Bateman and Bateman Buckland set up in independent practice in 1897, entering into partnership with Edward Haywood-Farmer in 1900. In 1914, he went into partnership with William Haywood, Edward Haywood-Farmer's relative and on Haywood-Farmer's death in 1917 the practice continued with William Haywood as Buckland and Haywood.
Buckland followed William Martin
William Martin (architect)
William Martin was a Victorian architect who worked in Birmingham, England, particularly in the practice Martin & Chamberlain.Born in Somerset in 1829 he joined a Birmingham architect called Thomson Plevins, and then became a partner of D. R. Hill, public works architect of early 19th century...
as architect to the School Board
School board (England & Wales)
School boards were public bodies in England and Wales between 1870 and 1902, which established and administered elementary schools.School boards were created in boroughs and parishes under the Elementary Education Act 1870 following campaigning by George Dixon, Joseph Chamberlain and the National...
in 1901 and then served as architect to the City of Birmingham Education Committee after the abolition of school boards in 1902: his buildings are amongst Birmingham's most forward-looking of their time. He also sat on the Executive Council of The Birmingham Civic Society
The Birmingham Civic Society
The Birmingham Civic Society was founded at an inaugural meeting on 10 June 1918 in The Council House, Birmingham, England and is registered with The Civic Trust. The first President of the Society, the Earl of Plymouth, addressed the assembled Aldermen, Councillors, Architects and other city...
which devised many schemes for the improvement of Birmingham in the 1920s and 1930s including the purchase of many parks and open spaces which were gifted to the city. Much of modern Birmingham owes its origins to the ideas put forward by Buckland and Haywood over 75 years ago.
The partnership of Buckland-Farmer operated from offices in Norwich Union Chambers, Corngreve Street (now demolished). Buckland & Haywood specialised in school work, and St Hugh’s College, Oxford (1914–16) gained them a national reputation. Their largest work in this field is the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk (1925–33), which includes a splendid chapel.
In his domestic work Buckland showed an originality that was much admired, helping make Birmingham the centre for a magnificent group of provincial architects (a rare thing in Britain, where the Capital is one of the most metropolitan) at a time when London architects were some of the world's best. Alan Crawford
Alan Crawford
Alan Crawford may refer to:*Alan Crawford , Australian rules footballer*Alan Crawford , English footballer and manager...
, distinguished authority on the Arts and Crafts period, confirms that Buckland "developed such a highly personal style of such quality in domestic work that he must rank with the best of his time" - Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
, Charles Voysey
Charles Voysey
Charles Voysey may refer to:* Charles Voysey * Charles Voysey * Charles Cowles-Voysey , architect and son of the above...
and Baillie Scott
Baillie Scott
Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott was a British architect and artist He was born at Beards Hill, St Peters near Ramsgate, Kent, the second eldest of ten children....
. Buckland's designs were much copied by his contemporaries and comparisons with Voysey are interesting.
Major built works
- Yateley Road, EdgbastonEdgbastonEdgbaston is an area in the city of Birmingham in England. It is also a formal district, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Edgbaston ward and the wards of Bartley Green, Harborne and Quinton....
, BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
has a number of fine Arts and Crafts houses, of which No. 21, designed as his own home in (1899), is among the most stylish, with its preserved Arts and Crafts period interior and garden based on a design by Gertrude JekyllGertrude JekyllGertrude Jekyll was an influential British garden designer, writer, and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe and the USA and contributed over 1,000 articles to Country Life, The Garden and other magazines.-Early life:...
. Listed Grade I. Also 15, 17 and 19 - Grade II. - Royal Hospital SchoolRoyal Hospital SchoolThe Royal Hospital School, , is a British co-educational independent boarding school with naval traditions. It admits pupils from age 11 to 18 through Common Entrance or the school's own exam...
, HolbrookHolbrook, SuffolkHolbrook is a village situated close to the northern shore of the Stour estuary in Suffolk, England. It is located on the Shotley peninsula in Babergh district, around 8⅓ km south of Ipswich....
, SuffolkSuffolkSuffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
(1933): as spaciously planned a major building as any in the neo-Wren, neo-Georgian style, its scale and formality undeniably impressive. Listed Grade II* - Elan ValleyElan Valley ReservoirsThe Elan Valley Reservoirs are a chain of man-made lakes and reservoirs in the Elan Valley in Powys, Mid Wales , using the rivers Elan and Claerwen...
Village (c.1909): an entire Model village built to service the work force of the newly constructed Elan Valley Dam. - St Hugh's College, OxfordSt Hugh's College, OxfordSt Hugh's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. It is located on a fourteen and a half acre site on St Margaret's Road, to the North of the city centre. It was founded in 1886 as a women's college, and accepted its first male students in its centenary year in 1986...
- University House, Birmingham UniversityUniversity of BirminghamThe University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
: built in 1908, with Neville ChamberlainNeville ChamberlainArthur Neville Chamberlain FRS was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from May 1937 to May 1940. Chamberlain is best known for his appeasement foreign policy, and in particular for his signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938, conceding the...
as the chief fund raiser. It was the first university hostel for women, and the first to admit male guests. Listed Grade II - Walkers Factory, DigbethDigbethDigbeth is an area of Birmingham, England. Following the destruction of the Inner Ring Road, Digbeth is now considered a district within Birmingham City Centre. As part of the Big City Plan, Digbeth is undergoing a large redevelopment scheme that will regenerate the old industrial buildings into...
. Industrial architecture is not normally associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, but Birmingham has some excellent examples: Bucklands factory for the Walkers family at 58 Oxford Street being one. - Great Roke, Witley by Buckland and Haywood-Farmer, built in 1909, with plaster work by Catterson-Smith Jr.(now Barrow Hills SchoolBarrow Hills SchoolBarrow Hills School is a preparatory school for pupils aged 3–13. It is a privately run, co-educational Catholic school, situated in the Surrey countryside south-west of Godalming...
). This house was the biggest, most ambitious house undertaken by the partners and is arguably one of the finest large houses produced by the Birmingham Movement. Alan Crawford describes it as "surely one of the last of the important essays in the Arts and Crafts manner".
Further reading
- Nikolaus PevsnerNikolaus PevsnerSir Nikolaus Bernhard Leon Pevsner, CBE, FBA was a German-born British scholar of history of art and, especially, of history of architecture...
, The Buildings of England, Cambridgeshire,ISBN 0-300-09586-4, Page: 196. - Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England, Suffolk, ISBN 0-14-071020-5, Pages: 61,275.Illust.64b.
- Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England, Warwickshire, ISBN 0-300-09679-8, Pages: 187,271.
- Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England, Oxfordshire, ISBN 0-14-071045-0, Page: 247.
- Roy Hartnell, Pre-Raphaelite Birmingham, ISBN 1-85858-064-1, Page 110.
- Martin Hampson, Images of England, Edgbaston, ISBN 0-7524-1810-6, Pages: 57,79.
- Phillada Ballard, An Oasis of Delight, The History of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, ISBN 1-85858-246-6, Page: 67.
- Douglas Hickman, Birmingham, ISBN 0-289-79800-0, Pages: 83,116,141.
- Andy Foster, Pevsner Architectural Guides Birmingham, ISBN 0-300-10731-5, Pages: 22,24,26,28,29,182,229,239,242,246,251,268n,288.
- Terry Slater, Edgbaston A History, ISBN 1-86077-216-1, Pages: 86(illust.114),53(illust.67),34,35(illust.45),30(illust.35).
- Alan Crawford (Editor), By Hammer and Hand, ISBN 0-7093-0119-7, Pages: 41,43,55-6,35