Architecture of Sir Edwin Lutyens

Storybook, timeless, pastoral, idyllic, unforgettable - these are just some of the words that come to mind when I remember my trip to the English Cotswolds as well as Sussex and Surry counties with architectural designer Frank Smith. I hope that you will join me in this photographic journey of this remarkable area of rural England to observe the beauty of its architecture, gardens, and landscapes. Frank and I delighted in finding an architectural treasure trove of ideas - some that we have incorporated in recent projects. Perhaps you will glean some ideas for your home or garden as well.

In this posting, I will focus on two homes designed by Edwin Lutyens that we were able to see on our tour. Little Thakaham, built in 1903, is located in Sussex County about a half-hour south of London. The Goddards, built in 1900, is located in Surry County, just south of London.

Where there is a will, there is a way! Frank Smith contemplates what to say to the Owner to allow us to take an unscheduled tour of Little Thakeam. He slowly approached the intercom, and persuaded the Owner to allow us inside. Our very friendly English host allowed us to take a complete tour of the home!

A close-up of the beautiful gate and post leading to Little Thakeam. Note the small "buttons" of stone embedded in the mortar. All stone for this project was quarried within a few hundred yards of the home.

Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (1869-1944) was arguably the greatest British architect of his age. He designed more than 300 public buildings, landmarks, and large country houses – many combined with  exquisite gardens planned with his long-time collaborator and friend, Gertrude Jekyll. Lutyens also designed the interiors and the furniture for most of his houses, from the doors and doorknobs to the chairs and chandeliers.

Lutyens' designs were rooted in the English Arts and Crafts movement, but they were inspired by Classicism. His designs remain popular today.

Little Thakeham, Sussex County, 1903. A great example of a romantic Lutyens design. Lutyens himself reckoned the house was the “best of the bunch”

A stone garden wall, a stone path, and a small gate in the distance draw our eye. Axial planning is a dominant design  feature at Little Thakeam.

The south elevation of the home. The wisteria vine is enormous, and it engulfs much of the structure. The blooming  wisteria in the spring creates a sea of lavender that is the artist's delight.

An examination of many of Lutyens Country House designs highlights the importance that Lutyens placed on the design of fireplaces and chimneys. Many of his well-known designs – Castle Drogo, Great Dixter, Little Thakeham and others – feature in excess of 10 fireplaces. The brick chimney design and detailing shown here is a classic Lutyens look.

A full view of the south elevation of the home showing the immense rose garden with stone trellis posts. Note the "Lutyens bench" on the right. 

Another Lutyens bench near the rose garden. These benches grace many of England's most famous gardens and reproductions are readily available today. 

The semicircular bay window with its abundant of light lies on the axis of the rose garden, beyond.

The living hall. At left is the jamb of the semicircular bay window, and the staircase lies ahead.  The  bay window lies on the main axis of the house upon which the symmetrical front entry lies, although the axis is made discontinuous by the wall on the right. Such discontinuities are found in many homes designed by Lutyens. 

A view of the fireplace with projecting sitting rack and overstructure in the living hall

A small window in the thick stone walls of the entrance corridor along with the decorative acorn squash and platter create a still life.

The fireplace in the library features a firebox in narrow terra cotta tiles laid in a herringbone pattern.

The floor of the entrance corridor is a lovely pattern of limestone and brick laid in a herringbone pattern.

Goddards was built in 1898-1900 by Lutyens and enlarged by him in 1910. Like many Lutyens homes, the gardens were planned by Gertrude Jekyll. We were unable to gain entry to the gardens and the home; however, we were able to get a few photographs of the exterior of this magnificent home.  

Frank Smith stands at an inviting entry to the grounds of the Goddards.

The front elevation of the home. The front entry is concealed by the hedgerow; it is directly below the small dormer located between the chimney and the left gable.

Exterior walls are made of roughcast, a course plaster surface consisting of lime and sometimes cement with sand, small gravel, and often pebbles or shells. For the roofing, note the combination of terra cotta tiles with slate.

The Lutyen-esque chimneys on this home vary in design, and all are magnificent. 

I hope that you have enjoyed this posting on our tour of Little Thakeham and Goddards. Please see my other postings on our tour of the English countryside.